Suddenly with a simultaneous motion these men tore off their masks so
that for a moment Asti and Tua saw their faces--and behold! the face of
the captain was the face of Pharaoh, Tua's father, and the face of the
steersman was the face of Mermes, Asti's husband.
For one moment only did they see them, then a dark cloud hid the dying
sun, and when it passed that ship was gone, whither they knew not.
The two women looked at each other, and for the first time were much
afraid.
"Truly," said Tua, "we are haunted if ever mortals were, for yonder ship
has ghosts for mariners."
"Aye, Lady," answered Asti, "so have I thought from the first. Still,
take heart, for these ghosts once were men who loved us well, and
doubtless they love us still. Be sure that for no ill purpose have we
been snatched out of the hand of Abi, and brought living and unharmed by
the shades of Pharaoh your sire, and Mermes my husband, to this secret
shore. See, yonder burns a fire, let us go to it, and await what may
befall bravely, knowing that at least it can be naught but good.
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