We are in
her power, and must work her will, for, Lord, if we do not we shall die,
and I think that neither of us desires to die, since beyond that gate
dead Pharaoh waits for us."
At these words Abi groaned aloud, wiping the sweat from his blanched
face with the corner of his robe, and saying:
"There you speak truly. Go, call the scribes, and let us get on with the
Queen's business."
Kaku turned to obey, when suddenly heralds entered the empty hall,
crying:
"Her Majesty the Queen waits without with a great company, and humbly
craves audience of her good lord, the divine Pharaoh of the Upper and
the Lower Land."
Abi and Kaku looked at each other, and despair was in their eyes.
"Let her Majesty enter," said the King in a low voice.
The heralds retired, and presently through the cedar doors appeared
the Queen in state. She was splendid to behold, splendid in her proud
beauty, splendid in her dress, and in her royal ornaments. On she swept
up the hall, attended by Merytra, who bore her fan and cushion, for
it was her pleasure that this woman should wait upon her day and night
without pause or rest, although she who had once been so handsome now
was worn almost to nothingness with toil and terror.
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