Page:Wisdom's daughter; the life and love story of She-who-must-be-obeyed (IA wisdomsdaughterl00hagg 0).pdf/381

Rh  Philo, it is my command that you lead Pharaoh's child to the coast, or wherever she would go, that thence she may find her way to Greece or Egypt as Fortune may direct her. That done, return and make report to me. Farewell, Amenartas.

Fare ill, Witch, she cried. We part, but as I think, to meet again elsewhere, seeing that between you and me there is a score to settle.

Aye, I answered gently enough. Yet boast not, Amenartas, and be not too sure of anything, since when at length that sum is added up, who knows on which side the balance will be struck.

At least I know that the count will be long and that murder is a heavy weight in any scale, she answered.

Then she went; they all went and left me alone brooding there upon the chair of state, in which I sat for the last time. The darkness closed about me, then came the twilight of the rising moon in whose soft rays I saw the figure of a man creeping toward me as a thief creeps.

Who comes? I asked.

Beauteous Queen, answered a thick voice, it is I, Rames, the priest.

Speak on, Rames.

O most fair among women, if indeed you may be named woman, hear me. Those fools of priests and priestesses have thrown you from your place.

So you told me but now, Rames, nor can they be blamed.

So I told you because I must, not of my own will, and that which is done, cannot be undone. You are cast out and here in Kôr the worship of Isis is at an end, since who is there that can fill your throne? Yet, hearken, hearken! I cling to you, I worship you. I desire you to be my wife, O most