"Say, shall we declare ourselves?" asked Asti.
"Nay," answered Tua, "not here and now. He would not believe, and we
cannot unveil before all these men. Also, first I desire to learn more.
Let him pass."
Rames rode on till he came opposite to where the two women sat on their
white camels beneath a tree, when something seemed to attract his gaze
to them. He looked once carelessly and turned his head away. He looked a
second time, and again turned his head, though more slowly. He looked
a third time, and his eyes remained fixed upon those two veiled women
seated on their camels beneath the trees. Then, as though acting upon
some impulse, he pulled upon his horse's bit, and rode up to them.
"Who are you, Stranger Ladies," he asked, "who own such fine camels?"
Tua bowed her head that the folds of her veil might hide her shape, but
Asti answered in a feigned voice:
"Sir, both of us are merchants, and one is a harper and a singer.
We have travelled hither up the Nile to the Golden City because we
understand that in Napata pearls are rare, and such we have to sell.
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