was done
also, and if had not been, without water to wash it down they could have
swallowed no more of the sickly stuff. Indeed, although in after years
in memory of its help, Neter-Tua chose the bee as her royal symbol,
never again could she bring herself to eat of the fruit of its labours.

"Come, Nurse," said Tua, "let us go to the roof, and watch the setting
of Ra, perhaps for the last time, since I think that we follow him
through the Western Gates."

So they went, supporting each other up the steps, for they grew weak.
From this lofty place they saw that save on the Nile side of it which
was patrolled by the warships of Abi, all the temple was surrounded by a
double ring of soldiers, while beyond the soldiers, on the square where
the great fight had been, were gathered thousands of the people who
knew that the starving Queen was wont to appear thus upon the pylon at
sunset.

At the sight of her, clad in the mail which she still wore, a murmur
rose from them like the murmur of the sea, followed by a deep silence
since they dared not declare the pity which moved them all. In the midst
of this silence, whilst the sun sank behind the Pyramids of the ancient
kings, Neter-Tua lifted up her glorious voice and sang the evening hymn
to Amen-Ra. As the last notes died away in the still air, again the
murmur rose while the darkness gathered about the pylon, hiding her from
the gaze of men.

Hand in hand as they had come, the two deserted women descended the
stair to their sleeping-place.

"They dare not help us, Asti," said Tua, "let us lie down and die."

"Nay, Queen," answered Asti, "let us turn to one that giveth help to
the helpless. Do you remember the words spoken by the shining spirit of
Ahura the Divine?"

"I remember them, Asti."

"Queen, I have waited long, since the spell she whispered to me may be
used once only, but now I am sure that the moment is at hand when that
which dwells within you must be called forth to save you."

"Then call it forth, Asti," answered Tua wearily, "if you have the
power. If not, oh! let us die. But say, whom would you summon? The glory
of Amen or the ghost of Pharaoh, or Ahura, my mother, or one of the
guardian gods?"

"None of these," answered Asti, "for I have been bidden otherwise. Lie
you down and sleep, my fosterling, for I have much to do in the hours of
darkness. When you awake you shall learn all."

"Aye," said Tua, "when I awake, if ever I do awake. Is it in your