A voice which I recognised as that
of the eunuch Houman, addressed me in respectful tones, which made me
think I must be dreaming.

"Noble Shabaka," said the voice, "the Great King commands your presence
at his feast."

"Is it so?" I answered in my dream. "Then my absence from their feast
will vex the gnats of the river," a saying at which Houman and others
with him laughed obsequiously.

Next I heard the bags of gold being removed from the boat, after which
we walked away, guards supporting me by either elbow until I found my
strength again, and Houman following just behind, perhaps because he
feared my foot if he went in front.

"What has chanced, Eunuch," I asked presently, "that I am disturbed from
the bed where I was sleeping so well?"

"I do not know, Lord," he answered. "I only know that the King of kings
has suddenly commanded that you should be brought before him as a guest
clothed in a robe of honour, even if to do so, you must be awakened from
your rest, yes, to his own royal table, for he holds a feast this night.
Lord," he went on in a whining voice, "if perchance fortune should have
changed her face to you, I pray you bear no malice to those who, when
she frowned, were forced, yes, under the private Seal of Seals, against
their will to carry out the commands of the King. Be just, O Lord
Shabaka."

"Say no more. I will try to be just," I answered. "But what is justice
in the East? I only know of it in Egypt."

Now we reached one of the doors of the palace and I was taken to a
chamber where slaves who were waiting, washed and anointed me with
scents, after which they clad me in a beautiful robe of silk, setting
the girdle of rose-hued pearls about me.

When they had finished, preceded by Houman I was led to a great pillared
hall closed in with silk hangings, where many feasted. Through them I
went to a dais at the head of the hall where between half-drawn curtains
surrounded by cup-bearers and other officers, the King sat in all his
glory upon a cushioned golden throne. He had a glittering wine-cup in
his hand and at a glance I saw that he was drunk, as it is the fashion
for these Easterns to be at their great feasts, for he looked happy and
human which he did not do when he was sober. Or perchance, as sometimes
I thought afterwards, he only pretended to be drunk. Also I saw
something else, namely, Bes, wondrously attired with the gold chain
about his neck and wearing a red headdress. He was seate