"Do you know who wore that ring in long past days?" asked Asti of Rames
who pressed it to his lips.

He shook his head who remembered only that Tua had worn it.

"It was your forefather and mine, Rames, the last of the royal rulers of
our line, who reigned over Egypt and also over the Land of Kesh. A
while ago the embalmers re-clothed his divine body in the tomb, and the
Princess, who was present there with your father and myself, drew this
ring off his dead hand and offered it to Mermes, who would not take it,
seeing that it is a royal signet. So she wore it herself, and now for
her own reasons she sends it to you, perhaps to give you authority in
Kesh where that mighty seal is known."

"I thank the Queen," he murmured. "I shall wear it always."

"Then let it be on your breast till you have passed the frontier, lest
some should ask questions that you find it hard to answer. My son," she
went on quickly, "you dare to love this queen of ours."

"In truth I do, Mother. Did not you, who know everything, know that?
Also it is your fault who brought us up together."

"Nay, my son, the fault of the gods who have so decreed. But--does she
love you?"

"You are always with her, Mother, ask her yourself, if you need to ask.
At least, she has sent me her own ring. Oh! Mother, Mother, guard her
night and day, for if harm comes to her, then I die. Mother, queens
cannot give themselves where they will as other women can; it is policy