"How know you that, Prince of Memphis? Sometimes the gods relent and
that which they have withheld for a space, they give. My lord lives, and
I live, and a child of his may yet fill the throne of Egypt."

"It may be so, O Queen," said Abi bowing, "and for my part I pray that
it will be so, for who am I that I should know the purpose of the kings
of heaven? If but one girl be born of you and Pharaoh, then I take
back my words and give to you that title which for many years has been
written falsely upon your thrones and monuments, the title of Royal
Mother."

Now Ahura would have answered again, for this sneering taunt stung her
to the quick. But Pharaoh laid his hand upon her knee and said,

"Continue, Prince and brother. We have heard from you that which we
already know too well--that I am childless. Tell us what we do not know,
the desire of your heart which lies hid beneath all these words."

"Pharaoh, it is this--I am of your holy blood, sprung of the same divine
father----"

"But of a mother who was not divine," broke in Ahura; "of a mother taken
from a race that has brought many a curse upon Khem, as any mirror will
show you, Prince of Memphis."

"Pharaoh," went on Abi without heeding her, "you grow weak; heaven
desires you, the earth melts beneath you. In the north and in the south
many dangers threaten Egypt. Should you die suddenly without an heir,
barbarians will flow in from the north and from the south, and the great
ones of the land will struggle for your place. Pharaoh, I am a warrior;