to Pharaoh, and even understood their import. In fact, I have already
consulted our councillor here, a learned master of the law, as to the
legality of such an alliance as you propose, and he gives his judgment
against it."

Now Abi glared at the Councillor, a humble, dusty old man who spent all
his life among rolls and chronicles.

"May it please your Majesty," this lawyer exclaimed in a thin agitated
voice, "I only said there was no record of such a marriage that I can
remember, though once I think a queen adopted a nephew, who afterwards
became Pharaoh."

"It is the same thing, Friend," replied Tua sweetly, "for that of which
there is no record in the long history of Egypt must of necessity be
illegal. Still, if my uncle here wishes to adopt me, I thank him, though
his lawful heirs may not, and the matter is one that can be considered."

Now, guessing that he was being played with, Abi grew angry.

"I have put a plain question to your Majesty," he said, "and perhaps I
am worthy of a plain answer. As all men know, O Queen, it is time that
you should be wed, and I offer myself as your husband. It is true that I
am somewhat older than you are----"

"In what year was the Prince Abi born, the same as yourself, did you
say?" asked Tua in an audible aside of the aged and learned Councillor,
who thereon vanished behind the throne, and was seen no more.

"But," went on Abi, taking no notice of this interruption, "on the other