"
Now Tua, who hitherto had sat still and indifferent, like one who takes
no heed, seemed to awake, and answered:
"A bad example, Prince, for Osiris rose again, did he not?" Then she
leaned back and once more was silent.
"Do you still desire that I should do homage to you, Queen, I, your
husband?" he asked presently.
"Why not?" she replied. "I have spoken. A decree of Pharaoh may not be
changed, and though a woman, I am--Pharaoh."
Now Abi went white with rage, and turned to his guard to bid them drag
her from the throne. But she who was watching him, suddenly lifted
her sceptre and spoke in a new voice, a clear, strong voice that rang
through the hall, and even reached those who were gathered on the steps
without.
"There is a question between you and me, O People," she said, "and it is
this--Shall I, your Queen, rule in Egypt, as my fathers ruled, or shall
yonder man rule whom by the decree of Amen I have taken for husband? Now
you who for the most part have the Hyksos blood running in your veins,
as he has, desire that he should rule, and you have slain the good god,
my father, and would make Abi king over you, and see me his handmaid,
one to give him children of my royal race, no more.
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