Page:Orczy--the gates of Kamt.djvu/119

 honey cakes. The Pharaoh's litter had disappeared beyond the alleys, and I for one felt much relieved by his absence.

"The evening is young yet, oh, my beloved," said the Queen, clinging affectionately to Hugh. "Isis hath not yet risen beyond the hills, and the hour is still far when thou must leave me to preside over the court of judgment at Kamt. Wilt stay with me alone and try to find, in that mysterious language which Osiris hath taught thee, words which would convey to me the thought that thou dost think me fair?"

"Fair above all, my Queen," said Hugh, earnestly.

"Yet thou knowest not how much fairer I will be the day when thou standest by my side at the foot of the throne of Isis, in Tanis, when clouds of incense hover round us, hiding us from the gaping multitude, and the high priest raises his hand over our heads to give us a supreme benediction."

"Thou couldst not be fairer than thou art," he said, with a certain want of conviction, which no doubt the lady perceived, for she said a little sadly:

"How silent thou art, oh, my beloved! Already, perchance, the destinies of Kamt sit heavily upon thy shoulders. The Pharaoh is sick, he has no will save for rest and peace, and his enemies have become powerful in the land."

"The ruler of Kamt should have no enemies, oh, Queen! for his rule should be merciful and just; justice disarmeth an enemy's hand."

"Nay, but there are the jealous, the envious," she said, with the sweetest of smiles, "those who stand so near to the Pharaoh that with a touch of the hand they might easily reach the crown which sits so lightly upon his head."

"My place, oh, Queen, will be beside the Pharaoh, to