the commission of Rames, whereby he, whose hands had done the ill, was
put in command of the great embassy that went to make amends.

These being finished, she sent away the scribe to spend the rest of the
night in writing them in duplicate, bidding him bring them to her in the
early morning to be sealed. Next addressing Rames, she commanded him to
start on the morrow with those troops which were ready to Takensit
above the first Cataract of the Nile, which was the frontier fortress of
Egypt, and there wait until the remainder of the soldiers joined them,
bearing with them her presents to the King of Kesh, and the embalmed
body of the Prince Amathel.

Rames bowed and said that her orders should be obeyed, and the audience
being finished, still bowing and supported by Mermes, began to walk
backwards towards the door, his eyes fixed upon the face of Tua, who sat
with bent head, clasping the arms of her chair like one in difficulty
and doubt. When he had gone a few steps she seemed to come to some
determination, for with an effort she raised herself and said:

"Return, Count Rames, I have a message to give you for the King of Kesh
who, unhappy man, has lost his son and heir, and it is one that no other
ears must hear. Leave me a while with this captain, O Mermes and Asti,
and see that none listen to our talk. Presently I will summon you to
conduct him away."

They hesitated, for this thing seemed strange, then noting the look she
gave them, departed through the doors behind the royal seat.

Now Rames and the Queen were left alone in that great, lighted chamber.
With bent head and folded arms he stood before her while she looked at