Page:Wisdom's daughter; the life and love story of She-who-must-be-obeyed (IA wisdomsdaughterl00hagg 0).pdf/96

78 my tresses hung almost to my feet, having the golden feathers of the cap adorned with sapphires and with rubies and the uraeus rising from it fashioned of glittering diamonds.

Aye, I unveiled and stood before them, my arms folded upon the jewelled girdle beneath my breast.

Behold! Kings and Lords, I said, the temple hag stands before you in such poor shape as it has pleased the gods to fashion her. Now let him who can see it, come, take the vase that hides this unveiled trickster's dye.

For a moment there was silence while those brutal men devoured my white loveliness with their eyes, taking count of every beauty of my perfect face and form. Amenartas stared at me and her ruddy cheeks went pale; yes, even the coral faded from her rich lips. Then from between those lips there burst these words:

This is not a woman! This is the very goddess. Beware of her, ye men, for she is terrible.

Nay, nay, I answered humbly, I am but a poor mortal, not even royal like to yourself, Lady—but a poor mortal with some wits and wisdom, though perchance Isis for a while to your sight has touched me with her splendour. Come, take the vase ere I veil myself again.

Then those men went mad, all save Pharaoh, who sat brooding.

Goddess or woman, they cried, give her to us who henceforward can never look upon the beauty of another.

King Tenes rose, his coarse face afire and his shifting eyes fixed upon me greedily.

By Baal and by Ashtoreth! he cried, goddess or woman, never have I seen such an one as this prophetess of Isis. Hearken, Pharaoh, before the