"Do you call these mighty works?" asked Tua contemptuously, for she was
angry because Asti would not try to raise the dead. "What are they after
all, but so many stones put together by the labour of men to satisfy
their own vanity? And of those who built them what story remains? There
is none at all save some vain legends. Now if _I_ live I will rear a
greater monument, for history shall tell of me till time be dead."

"Perhaps, Neter-Tua, if you live and the gods will it, though for
my part I think that these old stones will survive the story of most
deeds."



On the morrow of this visit to the Pyramids Pharaoh and the Queen his
daughter made their state entry into the great white-walled city of
Memphis, where they were royally received by Pharaoh's brother, the
Prince Abi, who was still the ruler of all this town and district. As
it chanced these two had not met since Abi, many years before, came to
Thebes, asking a share in the government of Egypt and to be nominated as
successor to the throne.

Like every other lord and prince, he had been invited to be present at
the great ceremony of the Crowning of Neter-Tua, but at the last moment
sent his excuses, saying that he was ill, which seemed to be true. At
any rate, the spies reported that he was confined to his bed, though
whether sickness or his own will took him thither at this moment, there
was nothing to show. At the time Pharaoh and his Council wondered a
little that he had made no proposal for the marriage of one of his sons,
of whom he had four, to their royal cousin, Neter-Tua, but decided that
he had not done so because he was sure that it would not be accepted.