"
"Mayhap, mayhap," replied Abi, waving his hand, for the subject was
painful to him, "but this Queen is not yet my wife. She is starving in
yonder tower, and what am I to do? If I try to force my presence upon
her, she will destroy herself as she swore, and if I leave her there any
longer, being mortal, she must die. Moreover, I dare not, for even these
folk of Memphis, who love me, begin to murmur. Egypt's Queen is Egypt's
Queen, and they will not suffer that she should perish miserably, being
beautiful and young, and one who takes all hearts. This night at sunset
they gathered in tens of thousands round the tower to hear her sing that
evening hymn to Ra, and afterwards marched past my palace, shouting
in the darkness, 'Give food to Her Majesty, and free her, or we will.'
Moreover, by now the news must have come to Thebes, and there a great
army will gather to liberate or avenge her. What am I to do, Prophet?"
"Do what dead Pharaoh bade you in your dream, Prince. At the hour of
dawn go to the Temple of Sekhet, where you will find the Queen become
obedient to your wishes, for did not the dream declare that she will not
say you nay? Then lead her to your palace, and marry her in the face
of all men, and rule by right of her Majesty and of your own conquering
arm.
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