Indeed, but this morning she sent an expedition to the desert
quarries to bring thence three blocks of stone, one for my sarcophagus,
one for yours, and one for that of your wife, Merytra. For she says
that after the old fashion she purposes to honour both of you with these
gifts."
At these words Kaku could no longer control himself, but began to walk
up and down the room, muttering and snatching at his beard.
"How can you suffer it?" he said at length, "You who were a great
prince, to become a woman's slave, to be made as dirt beneath her feet,
to be held up to the mockery of those you rule, to see your wives and
household driven away from you, to be tormented, to be mocked, to look
on other men favoured before your eyes, to be threatened with early
death. Oh! how can you suffer it? Why do you not kill her, and make an
end?"
"Because," answered Abi, "because I dare not, since if I dreamed of
such a thing she would guess my thought and kill _me_. Fool, do you not
remember the fall of the eternal obelisks upon my captains, and what
befell that man who mocked her, calling her Bastard, and sought refuge
among the priests? No, I dare not lift a finger against her.
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