ts
price, nor did she forget that promise in the after days.

Now the Prince had mounted the dais and was bowing low to Pharaoh and to
her, and they must rise and bow in answer. Then Pharaoh welcomed him to
Egypt in few, well-chosen words, giving him all his titles and speaking
meaningly of the ancient ties which had linked their kingdoms, ties
which, he prayed, might yet draw them close again.

He ceased and looked at Tua who, as Queen, had also a speech to deliver
that had been given to her in writing. Although she remembered this well
enough, for the roll lay beside her, never a word would she read, but
turned round and bade one of her waiting-ladies bring her a fan.

So after a pause that seemed somewhat long Amathel delivered his answer
that was learned by rote, for it replied to "gentle words from the lips
of the divine Queen that made his heart to flower like the desert after
rain," not one of which had she spoken. Thereon Tua, looking over
the top of her fan, saw Rames smile grimly, while unable to restrain
themselves, some of the great personages at the feast broke out
laughing, and bowed down their heads to hide their merriment.

With an angry scowl the Prince turned and commanded that the gifts
should be brought. Now slaves advanced bearing cups of worked gold,
elephants and other beasts fashioned in gold, and golden vases full of
incense, which he presented to Pharaoh on behalf of his father, the King
of Kesh and himself, saying boastfully that in his country such things
were common, and that he would have brought more of them had it not been
for their weight.

When Pharaoh had thanked him, answering gently that Egypt too was not
poor, as he hoped that he would find upon the morrow, the Prince, on
his own behalf alone, offered to the Queen other presents, among
them pectorals and necklaces without price fashioned of amethysts and
sapphires. Also, because she was known to be the first of musicians and
the sweetest-voiced lady in the land--for these were the greatest of the
gifts that Tua had from Amen--he gave to her a wonderfully worked harp
of ivory with golden strings, the frame of the harp being fashioned to
the shape of a woman, and two black female slaves laden with ornaments,
who were said to be the best singers in the Southern Land.

Now Pharaoh whispered to Tua to put on one of the necklaces, but she
would not, saying that the colour of the stones did not match her white
robe and the blue lotus