THE ROYAL MARRIAGE A strange rumour ran through Memphis.

It was said that the Queen had yielded; it was said that she would marry the Prince Abi, that she was already at the great White House waiting to be made a bride.

Men wrangled about in the streets.

They swore that it could not be true, for would this high lady, the anointed Pharaoh of Egypt, take her father's murderer, and her own uncle to husband?
Would she not rather die in her prison tower on which night by night they had seen her stand and sing?
In their hearts they thought that she should die, for thus they had summed her up, this pure, high-hearted daughter of Amen, whom Fate had caught in an evil net.

Yes, being men they held that she ought to die, and leave a story in the world, whereof Egypt could be proud for ever.
But their wives and daughters mocked at them.