"Truly you have done wickedly," said Pharaoh, shaking his head at him,
"and, therefore, perhaps, you will lose your hand and even your life.
Yet, child, you have a royal heart, who first saved your playmate and
then, even in my presence, take all the blame upon yourself. Therefore
I forgive you, son of Mermes; moreover, I see that I was wise not to
listen to those who counselled that you should be put away at birth,"
and bending over the boy, Pharaoh kissed him on the brow.

Also he gave orders that the greatest physicians in the land should
attend upon him and purge the poison of the crocodile's teeth from
his body, and when he recovered--which save for the loss of the little
finger of his right hand, he did completely--he sent him a sword with
a handle of gold fashioned to the shape of a crocodile, in place of the
knife which he had paid away for the pigeon, bidding him use it bravely
all his life in defence of her who would be his queen. Further, although
he was still so young, he gave to him the high title of Count in earnest
of his love and favour, and with it a name that meant Defender of the
Royal Lady.

After he had gone Asti the prophetess looked at the sword which Pharaoh
had given to her son.

"I see royal blood on it," she said, and handed it back to Rames.



But Rames and Tua were no more allowed to play together alone, for
always after this the Princess was accompanied by women of honour and an
armed guard. Also, within a year or two the boy was placed in charge