From this description I think it must have been the astrologer, Kaku,
with whom she was talking at the feast."
"That is bad news, Nurse. What else have you to tell?"
"Only this, Queen. The gates are guarded more closely even than we
thought. I tried to send out a man to Thebes this morning with a message
on my own account--never mind what it was--and the sentries turned him
back."
"By the gods!" exclaimed Tua, "before I have reigned a year every gate
in Memphis shall be melted down for cooking vessels, and I will set
their captains to work in the desert mines. Nay, such threats are
foolishness, I'll not threaten, I'll strike when the time comes, but
that is not yet. Can I speak with the Pharaoh?"
"No, Queen. He is up already giving audience to the nobles of Memphis,
and trying cases from the Lower Land with his Counsellors; until it is
time to start for this ceremony of the laying of the foundation-stone of
the temple, whither you accompany him in state. Also it is as well--by
to-night we may learn more.
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