How then can I be in
danger, who am immortal, and not to be harmed of men? Death hath no
part in me. Speak not to me of dangers, who, alas! can never die till
everything is done; but tell me of that faithless Wanderer, whom I must
love with all the womanhood that shuts my spirit in, and all my spirit
that is clothed in womanhood. For, Rei, the Gods, withholding Death,
have in wrath cursed me with love to torment my deathlessness. Oh, when
I saw him standing where now thou standest, my soul knew its other part,
and I learned that the curse I give to others had fallen on myself and
him."

"Yet was this Wanderer not altogether faithless to thee, Lady," said
Rei. "Listen, and I will tell thee all."

"Speak on," she said. "Oh, speak, and speak swiftly."

Then Rei told Helen all that tale which the Wanderer had charged him to
deliver in her ear, and keep no word back. He told her how Meriamun had
beguiled Eperitus in her shape; how he had fallen in the snare and sworn
by the Snake, he who should have sworn by the Star. He told her how the
Wanderer had learned the truth, and learning it, had cursed the witch
who wronged him; how he had been overcome by the guards and borne to the
bed of torment; how he had been freed by the craft of Meriamun; and
how he had gone forth to lead the host of Khem. All this he told her
swiftly, hiding naught, while she listened with eager ears.

"Truly," she said, when all was told, "truly thou art a happy messenger.
Now I forgive him all. Yet has he sworn by the Snake who should have
sworn by the Star, and because of his fault never in this space of life
shall Helen call him Lord. Yet will we follow him, Rei. Hark! what is
that? Again it comes, that long shrill cry as of ghosts broke loose from
Hades."

"It is the Queen," quoth Rei; "the Queen who with all women of Tanis
comes hither to burn thee in thy Shrine. She hath slain Pharaoh, and
now she would slay thee also, and so win the Wanderer to her arms. Fly,
Lady! Fly!"

"Nay, I fly not," said Helen. "Let her come. But do thou, Rei, pass
through the Temple gates and mingle with the crowd. There thou shalt
await my coming, and when I come, draw near, fearing nothing; and
together we will pass down the path of the Wanderer in such fashion as
I shall show thee. Go! go swiftly, and bid those who minister to me pass
out with thee."

Then Rei turned and fled. Without the doors of the Shrine many priests
were gathered.

"Fly! the women of Tan