What, then, can I do ?" "Be a good maid and obey your husband, Bastard," mocked a voice, and during the roar of laughter that followed Tua looked at the speaker, an officer of Abi's, who had taken a great part in the slaughter of their escort.
Very strangely she looked at him, and those who stood by the man noted that his lips became white, and that he turned so faint that had it not been for the press about him he would have fallen.

Presently he seemed to recover, and asked the priests who were near to let him join their circle, as among the outer throng the heat was too great for him to bear.

Thereon one of them nodded and made room for him, and he passed in, which Tua noted also.
Now she was speaking again.
"Ill names to throw at Egypt's anointed queen, crowned and accepted by the god himself in the sanctuary of his most holy temple," she said, her eyes still resting on the brutal soldier.

"Yet it is your hour, and she must bear them who has no friends in Memphis.

Oh! what shall I do ?" and again she wrung her hands.