gh-priest of Osiris, that Holy One whom, after Ptah, we
worship here above all other deities, for he is clothed with the majesty
of the god of death."

"Of death," said Tua. "Is that why you put him by my father?"

"Indeed not," replied Abi, spreading out his hands, "though if a choice
must be made, I would rather that he sat near one who is old and must
soon be called the 'ever-living,' than at the side of the loveliest
queen that Egypt has ever seen, to whom it is said that Amen himself has
sworn a long life," and again he bowed.

"You mean that you think Pharaoh will soon die. Nay, deny it not,
Prince Abi, I can read your thoughts, and they are ill-omened," said Tua
sharply and, turning her head away, began to watch those about her.

Soon she noticed that behind Abi amongst his other officers stood a
tall, grizzled man clad in the robes and cap of an astrologer, who
appeared to be studying everything, and especially Pharaoh and herself,
for whenever she looked round it was to find his quick, black eyes fixed
upon her.

"Who is that man?" she whispered presently to Asti, who waited on her.

"The famous astrologer, Kaku, Queen. I have seen him before when he
visited Thebes with the Prince before your birth. I will tell you of him
afterwards. Watch him well."

So Tua watched and discovered several things, among them that Kaku
observed everything that she and Pharaoh did, what they ate, to whom
they spoke, and any words which fell from their lips, such as those that
she had uttered about the god Osiris. All of these he noted down from
time to time on his waxen tablets, doubtless that he might make use of
them afterwards in his interpretation of the omens of the future.

Now, among the ladies of the Court who fanned Pharaoh and waited on him
was that dancing girl of Abi's who many years before had betrayed him at
Thebes, Merytra, Lady of the Footstool, now a woman of middle age, but
still beautiful, of whom, although Tua disliked her, Pharaoh was fond
because she was clever and witty of speech and amused him. For this
reason, in spite of her history, he had advanced her to wealth and
honour, and kept her about his person as a companion of his lighter
hours. Something in this woman's manner attracted Tua's attention, for
continually she looked at the astrologer, Kaku, who suddenly awoke to
her presence and smiled as though he recognised an old friend. Then,
when it was the turn of another to take her place behind P