Then she struck on the
harp, and thrice she cried aloud:
"_Kepher! Kepher! Kepher!_"
And each time the echo of her cry came back louder and still more loud,
till it seemed as though earth and heaven were filled with the sound of
the name of Kepher.
CHAPTER XVI
THE BEGGAR AND THE KING
It was the afternoon of the third day. Tua and Asti, seated in the
window-place of their splendid prison, looked through the wooden screen
down into the court below, where, according to his custom at this hour,
Janees the King sat in the shadow to administer justice and hear the
petitions of his subjects. The two women were ill at ease, for the time
of respite had almost passed.
"Night draws near," said Tua, "and with it will come Janees. Look how he
eyes this window, like a hungry lion waiting to be fed. Kepher has made
no sign; perchance after all he is but a wandering beggar-man filled
with strange fancies, or perchance he is dead, as may well happen at his
age. At least, he makes no sign, nor does Amen, to whom I have prayed
so hard, send any answer to my prayers.
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