"
"This poor singing-girl," repeated Janees after her, "who, or whose
mother," and he bowed to Asti with a smile, "has pearls to sell that are
worth the revenue of a kingdom; this singing-girl, the ivory figure on
whose harp is crowned with the royal _uraei_ of Egypt; this singing-girl
whose chiselled loveliness is such as might be found perhaps among the
daughters of ancient kings; this singing-girl whose voice can ravish
the hearts of men and beasts! Well, Lady Neferte, I thank you for your
warning, still I am ready to take my chance, hoping that my children
will not be made ashamed by the blood of such a singing-girl as this,
who, as I saw when that screen fell, has stamped upon her throat the
holy sign they worship on the Nile."
"I am honoured," answered Tua coldly, "yet it may not be. Among my own
humble folk I have a lover, and him I will wed or no man."
"You have a lover! Then hide his name from me, lest presently I should
play Set to his Osiris and rend him into pieces. You shake your head,
knowing doubtless that the man is great, yet I tell you that I will
conquer him and rend him into pieces for the crime of being loved by
you.
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