"Now," went on Tua with gathering confidence, for she felt that all saw
with her eyes, "to add to our woes Pharaoh, my father, has been smitten
by the gods. He sleeps; he cannot speak; I know not whether he will live
or die, and therefore it would seem that I, the duly-crowned Queen of
Egypt, must act for him as was provided in such a case, since the matter
is very urgent and may not be delayed. Is it your will," she added,
addressing the Council, "that I should so act as the gods may show me
how to do?"

"It is right and fitting," answered the Vizier, the King's companion, on
behalf of all of them.

"Then, priests, lords and people," continued the Queen, "what course
shall we take in this sore strait? Speaking with the voice of all of
you and on your behalf, I can command that the Count Rames and all those
other chosen men whom Pharaoh loves, who fought with him, shall be slain
forthwith. This, indeed," she added slowly, "I should wish to do, since
although Rames had suffered intolerable insult such as no high-born man
can be asked to bear even from a prince, and he and all of them were
but fighting to save their lives and to show the Nubians that we are not
cowards here in Egypt, without doubt they have conquered and slain the
heir of Kesh and his black giants who were our guests, and for this deed
their lives are forfeit."

She paused watching, while although here and there a voice answered
"Yes" or "They must die," from the rest arose a murmur of dissent. For
in their hearts the company were on the side of Rames and Pharaoh's
guards. Moreover, they were proud of the young captain's skill and
courage, and glad that the Nubians, whom they hated with an ancient
hate, had been defeated by the lesser men of Egypt, some of whom were