" Then he drew himself up and said slowly, "I am here to ask the
hand of the glorious Queen Neter-Tua, daughter of Amen, in marriage."

Now Pharaoh stared at him, while Tua, who knew well what was coming,
turned her head aside, and asked a councillor who stood near, if in the
history of the land any Queen of Egypt had ever married her uncle.

The councillor who was noted for his historical studies, answered that
at the moment he could recall no such case.

"Then," said Tua coolly, and still addressing him, "it seems that it
would be scarcely wise to create a precedent which other poor young
women of the royal race might be called upon to follow."

Pharaoh caught something of the words, though Abi did not for they were
spoken in a low voice, and bethought him of a way out of his difficulty.

"The Queen Neter-Tua sits at my side, and is co-regent with me of this
kingdom, her mind is my mind, and what she approves it is probable I
shall approve. Prefer your request to her," he said.

So Abi turned to the Queen, and laying his hands upon his heart, bowed,
ogled, and began:

"A burning love of your most excellent Majesty moves me----"

"I pray you, my Uncle," interrupted Tua, "correct your words, which
should begin 'A burning love of your most excellent Majesty's throne and
power move me,' and so on."

Now Abi frowned while everyone else smiled, not excepting Pharaoh and
the astrologer, Kaku. Again he began his speech, but so confusedly that
presently Tua stopped him for the second time, saying:

"I am not deaf, most noble prince, my Uncle. I heard the words you used
to Pharaoh, and even understood their import. In fact, I have already
consulted our councillor here, a learned master of the law, as to the
legality of such an alliance as you propose, and he gives his judgment
against it."

Now Abi glared at the Councillor, a humble, dusty old man who spent all
his life among rolls and chronicles.

"May it please your Majesty," this lawyer exclaimed in a thin agitated
voice, "I only said there was no record of such a marriage that I can
remember, though once I think a queen adopted a nephew, who afterwards
became Pharaoh."

"It is the same thing, Friend," replied Tua sweetly, "for that of which
there is no record in the long history of Egypt must of necessity be
illegal. Still, if my uncle here wishes to adopt me, I thank him, though
his lawful heirs may not, and the matter is one that can be considered."

Now,