raoh, that they may be led hither that my eyes may
feed upon their loveliness, and that I may tell of them, each of them,
to their cousins who await me at Memphis."

At these words a flush as of shame spread itself over the lovely face of
Ahura, the royal wife, the Lady of the Two Lands; while the women turned
their heads away whispering to each other bitterly, for the insult hurt
them. Only Pharaoh set his pale face and answered with dignity.

"Prince Abi, to affront those whom the gods have smitten, be they kings
or peasants, is an unworthy deed which the gods will not forget. You
know well that I have no children. Why then do you ask me to show you
their loveliness?"

"I had heard rumours, O Pharaoh," answered the Prince, "no more. Indeed,
I did not believe them, for where there are so many wives I was certain
that there would be some mothers. Therefore I asked to be sure before
I proffered a petition which now I will make to you not for my own sake
but for Egypt's and yours, O Pharaoh. Have I your leave to speak here in
public?"

"Speak on," said Pharaoh sternly. "Let aught that is for the welfare of
Egypt be heard by Egypt."

"Your Majesty has told me," replied Abi bowing, "that the gods, being
wrath, have denied you children. Not so much as one girl of your blood
have they given to you to fill your throne after you when in due season
it pleases you to depart to Osiris. Were it otherwise, were there even
but a single woman-child of your divine race, I would say nothing, I
would be silent as the grave. But so it is, and though your queens be
fair and many, so it would seem that it must remain, since the ears of
the gods having been deaf to your pleadings for so long, although you
have built them glorious temples and made them offerings without count,
will scarcely now be opened. Even Amen your father, Amen, whose name you
bear, will perform no miracle for you, O Pharaoh, who are so great that
he has decreed that you shall shine alone like the full moon at night,
not sharing your glory with a single star."

Now Ahura the Queen, who all this while had been listening intently,
spoke for the first time in a quick angry voice, saying,

"How know you that, Prince of Memphis? Sometimes the gods relent and
that which they have withheld for a space, they give. My lord lives, and
I live, and a child of his may yet fill the throne of Egypt."

"It may be so, O Queen," said Abi bowing, "and for my part I pray that
it wi