Slow Signal Fade ebooks

Then, as they had arranged, they strove to do the same for the Prince
Amathel, but Asti who had more magic than all of them, watching behind
Tua's chair, put out her strength and threw a spell upon them.
Behold! instead of the form of the Prince, which these conjurers
summoned loudly and by name, there appeared out of the vase a monkey
wearing a crown and feathers that yet resembled him somewhat, which
black and hideous ape stood there for a while seeming to gibber at them,
then fell down and vanished away.
Now some of the audience laughed and some were silent, but Pharaoh, not
knowing whether this were a plot or an evil omen from the gods, frowned
and looked anxiously at his guest. As it chanced, however, the Prince,
fired with wine, was so engaged in staring at the loveliness of Tua,
that he took no note of the thing, while the Queen looked upwards and
seemed to see nothing. As for the conjurers, they fled from the hall,
fearing for their lives, and wondering what strong spirit had entered
into the vase and spoilt the trick which they had prepared.


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