So these chambers, in which none had dwelt for
generations, were hastily cleaned out and furnished, and in them Tua and
Asti her foster-mother, took up their abode.
CHAPTER VIII
THE MAGIC IMAGE
That night Pharaoh and Tua rested in privacy with those members of the
Court whom they had brought with them, but on the morrow began a round
of festivals such as history scarcely told of in Egypt. Indeed, the
feast with which it opened was more splendid than any Tua had seen at
Thebes even at the time of her crowning, or on that day of blood and
happiness when Amathel and his Nubian guards were slain and she and
Rames declared their love. At this feast Pharaoh and the young Queen sat
in chairs of gold, while the Prince Abi was placed on her right hand,
and not on that of Pharaoh as he should have been as host and subject.
"I am too much honoured," said Tua, looking at him sideways. "Why do you
not sit by Pharaoh, my uncle?"
"Who am I that I should take the seat of honour when my sovereigns come
to visit me?" answered Abi, bowing his great head.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172