We are in her power, and must work her will, for, Lord, if we do not we shall die, and I think that neither of us desires to die, since beyond that gate dead Pharaoh waits for us." At these words Abi groaned aloud, wiping the sweat from his blanched face with the corner of his robe, and saying: "There you speak truly.

Go, call the scribes, and let us get on with the Queen's business." Kaku turned to obey, when suddenly heralds entered the empty hall, crying: "Her Majesty the Queen waits without with a great company, and humbly craves audience of her good lord, the divine Pharaoh of the Upper and the Lower Land." Abi and Kaku looked at each other, and despair was in their eyes.
"Let her Majesty enter," said the King in a low voice.
The heralds retired, and presently through the cedar doors appeared the Queen in state.

She was splendid to behold, splendid in her proud beauty, splendid in her dress, and in her royal ornaments.

On she swept up the hall, attended by Merytra, who bore her fan and cushion, for it was her pleasure that this woman should wait upon her day and night without pause or rest, although she who had once been so handsome now was worn almost to nothingness with toil and terror.

Behind Merytra came guards and high-priests, and after them the great lords of the Council, who were called the King's Companions and the generals of the army.
On she swept up the hall till reaching the foot of the throne whereon Abi sat, she motioned to Merytra to place the cushion upon its step, and knelt, saying: "I am come as a loyal wife to make a humble prayer to Pharaoh my Lord in the presence of his Court." "Rise and speak on, Great Lady," answered Abi.