own cause? Can the kings and captains of other lands then declare that
in Egypt we work murder on our guests? Tell me, who have so little
wisdom, if this plan is good, as I dare to say to you, it seems to me."

Now with one voice the Council and all the guests, and especially the
guards themselves who were on their trial, save Rames, who still knelt
in silence before the Queen, cried out that it was very good. Yes; they
clapped their hands and shouted, vowing to each other that this young
Queen of theirs was the Spirit of Wisdom come to earth, and that her
excellent person was filled with the soul of a god.

But she frowned at their praises and, holding up her sceptre, sternly
commanded silence.

"Such is your decree, O my Council," she cried, "and the decree of all
you here present, who are the noblest of my people, and I, as I am bound
by my oath of crowning, proclaim and ratify it, I, Neter-Tua, who am
named Star and Daughter of Amen, who am named Glorious in Ra, who am
named Hathor, Strong in Beauty, who am crowned Queen of the Upper and
the Lower Land. I proclaim--write it down, O Scribes, and let it
be registered this night that the decree may stand while the world
endures--that two thousand of the choicest troops of Egypt shall sail up
Nile, forthwith, for Kesh, and that in command of them, so that all
may know his crime, shall go the young Count Rames, and with him those
others who also did the deed of blood."

Now at this announcement, which sounded more like promotion than
disgrace, some started and Rames looked up, quivering in all his limbs.

"I proclaim," went on Tua quickly, "that when they are come to Napata