But their wives and daughters mocked at them. After all she was but a
woman, they argued, and was it likely that she would throw aside the
pomp of rule and the prospect of long years in order to steal away into
the shadows of a forgotten tomb? Henceforth, it was true, she must take
second place, for Abi would be a stern master to her. Still, any place
was better than a funeral barge. She had felt the pinch of hunger yonder
in that old temple; her fierce spirit had been tamed; she had kissed the
rod, and after long years of waiting, Abi would be Pharaoh in Egypt.
The dispute grew hot, for even those men who rebelled against her, in
their hearts had set her high, and grieved to think of her, the divine
Lady, bowing her neck to the common yoke of circumstance, and selling
herself for safety, and a seat on the steps of her own throne. But the
women mocked on, and showed them that as they had always said, she was
no better than others of her sex.
Presently the matter was settled, for heralds appeared crying throughout
the city that the marriage would take place in the great hall of the
White House one hour before sundown.
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