Page:Orczy--the gates of Kamt.djvu/102

 before the awesome judgment seat of the forty-two judges! "Whilst the hand of Anubis guides your souls to eternal rest and peace!"

The blind priestesses swung their golden censers towards us, and very soon Hugh stood enveloped in a sweet-scented cloud, through which his tall figure appeared swathed in the white drapery, and dimly lighted from behind by the sanctuary lamps, which threw flickering blue rays round his head, like some ghostly halo.

After a few moments of absolute silence in the vast and crowded building, the Queen rose to her feet and said to Hugh:

"Will my lord honour the dwelling of his servant by his presence?"

And she led him to her litter, where she invited him to sit beside her. I followed and stood close to Hugh, for he had contrived to whisper, as he brushed past me:

"Keep near me, old chap. Don't let them divide us whatever happens!"

The eight black giants had already raised the Pharaoh's litter aloft, and he was being borne away among a crowd of prostrate figures, across the vast aisle of the temple. He took no notice, however, of his adoring subjects; contemptuously he passed them by, and as his litter disappeared through the wide portals beyond, I could still hear his audible yawns and his loud, sharp, sarcastic laugh.

The Queen and Hugh were also hoisted upon the shoulders of the bearers, and I was allowed to walk by his side, while a crowd of gorgeous personages, with wands of office, of attendants and of slaves, closed in behind us and followed in solemn procession.