him,
"and, therefore, perhaps, you will lose your hand and even your life.
Yet, child, you have a royal heart, who first saved your playmate and
then, even in my presence, take all the blame upon yourself. Therefore
I forgive you, son of Mermes; moreover, I see that I was wise not to
listen to those who counselled that you should be put away at birth,"
and bending over the boy, Pharaoh kissed him on the brow.

Also he gave orders that the greatest physicians in the land should
attend upon him and purge the poison of the crocodile's teeth from
his body, and when he recovered--which save for the loss of the little
finger of his right hand, he did completely--he sent him a sword with
a handle of gold fashioned to the shape of a crocodile, in place of the
knife which he had paid away for the pigeon, bidding him use it bravely
all his life in defence of her who would be his queen. Further, although
he was still so young, he gave to him the high title of Count in earnest
of his love and favour, and with it a name that meant Defender of the
Royal Lady.

After he had gone Asti the prophetess looked at the sword which Pharaoh
had given to her son.

"I see royal blood on it," she said, and handed it back to Rames.

But Rames and Tua were no more allowed to play together alone, for
always after this the Princess was accompanied by women of honour and an
armed guard. Also, within a year or two the boy was placed in charge
of a general to be brought up as a soldier, a trade that he liked well
enough, so that from this time forward he and Neter-Tua met but seldom.
Still there was a bond between them which could not be broken by
absence, for already they loved each other, and every night and morning
when Tua made her petitions to Amen, after praying for Pharaoh her
father, and for the spirit of her royal mother, Ahura, she prayed for
Rames, and that they might meet soon. For the months when her eyes did
not fall upon his face were wearisome to Tua.

CHAPTER IV

THE SUMMONING OF AMEN

The years went by and the Princess Neter-Tua, who was called Morning
Star of Amen, came at length to womanhood, and went through the
ceremonies of Purification. In all Egypt there was no maiden so wise and
spirited or so lovely. Tall and slender was her shape, blue as the sea
were her eyes, rosy like the dawn were her cheeks, and when she did not
wear it in a net of gold, her black and curling hair fell almost to her
waist. Also she was v