In silence it stood before them
scanning them with its glittering eyes.
"Whence come you, O Double?" asked Asti.
"From that place where your command found me, O Mistress of Secret
Things, from the house of Abi at Thebes, wherein he seems to rule as
Pharaoh," the Form answered in its cold voice.
"How fares it with Abi and with Egypt, O Double?"
"With Abi it fares but ill; he wastes in toil and fear and longings,
and knows no happy hour. But with Egypt it fares well. Never, O Lady
of Strength, was she more great than she is to-day, for in all things I
have fulfilled the commandments that were laid upon me, and now I desire
to rest in that bosom whence I came," and she pointed to Tua, who stood
and watched.
"Not yet, O Double, for there is still work for you to do, and then you
shall be at peace till the day of the last Awakening. Hearken: Return
to Thebes, and tell a false tale in the ears of Abi and his councillors.
Say that Rames the Egyptian, who has seized the rule of Kesh, has
declared himself Pharaoh of Egypt by right of race, and your husband
by the promise of him who ruled before you whom Abi did to death.
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