officers. But Pharaoh was tired
out, and would not listen.

"To-morrow, when I have slept, will be time enough," he answered.
"Moreover, shall I fly from my own city like a thief when naught is
ready for our journey? Why do you press me to such a coward's act?" he
added peevishly.

"For this reason, your Majesty," answered Mermes. "We are sure there is
a plot to keep you here. This afternoon you could not have gone, had you
tried, but to-night, Abi, being a prisoner, his people are dismayed, and
having no leader will open the gates. By to-morrow one may be found, and
they will be double-barred and guarded."

"What!" asked the King scornfully, "do you mean that I am a prisoner
also, and here in Egypt, which I rule? Nay, good friends, at Pharaoh's
word those gates will open. Or if they do not, I will pull down Memphis
stone by stone, and drive out its people to share their caves with
jackals. Do they think because I am kind and gentle, that I cannot lift
the sword if there be need? Have they forgotten how I smote those rebels
in my youth, and gave their cities to the flames, and set my yoke on
Syria, that aided them. We march to-morrow, and not before. I have
spoken."

Now Mermes bowed and turned to go, since when those words had passed
Pharaoh's lips it was not lawful to answer them. Yet Asti dared to do
so.

"O Pharaoh," she said, "be not wrath with your servant. Pharaoh, as you
know, I have skill in divination, the spirits of the dead whisper at
times in my ears of things that are to be. It seemed to me just now when
having left the presence of the Queen, my foster-child, I stood a while
alone in the darkness, that the divine Majesty of the great lady, the
royal wife, Ahura, who was my friend and mistress, stood beside me and
said:

"'Go, Asti, to Pharaoh, and say to Pharaoh that great danger threatens
him and our royal daughter. Say to him--Fly from Memphis, lest there he
should be prepared for burial, and the Star of Amen hidden by a cloud of
shame. Bid him beware of one about his throne, and of that evil magician
with whom she made a pact last night.'"

Now Pharaoh looked at Asti and said:

"O dreamer of dreams, interpret your own dream. Who is she about my
throne of whom I should beware, and who is the magician with whom she
made a pact?"

"The divine Queen did not tell me, Pharaoh," answered Asti stubbornly,
"but my own skill tells me. She is Merytra, your favourite, and the
magician is Kaku, whom sh