"Tell me," she said, drawing back her foot, "you who are a magician, and
have studied the secret writings, how does it chance that you still live
on, when for lesser crimes so many lie here dead, you who are stained
with the blood of Pharaoh?"
Hearing these words from which he presaged the very worst, Kaku beat his
head upon the ground, babbling denials of this awful crime, and at the
same time began to implore pardon for what he said he had not committed.
"Cease," she exclaimed, "and learn that your life is spared for a while,
yes, and even Merytra's. Also you will retain your office of Vizier--for
a while."
Now he began to pour out thanks, but she stopped him, saying:
"Thank me not, seeing that you do not know the end of this matter.
Perchance it is hidden from you lest you should go mad, you and your
wife, Merytra, she who was the Pharaoh's Lady of the Footstool, and sang
him to sleep. Look at me, Wizard, and tell me, who am I?" and she bent
down over him.
He glanced up at her, and their eyes met, nor could he turn his head
away again.
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