For a minute or more he sat thus, and when he lifted his pale, pure face, there was a smile upon it.
"Abi, my brother," he said in his gentle voice, "listen to me.

There are those who filled this throne before me, who on hearing such words would have pointed to you with their sceptres, whereon, Abi, those lips of yours would have grown still for ever, and you and your name and the names of all your House would have been blotted out by death.

But, Abi, you were ever bold, and I forgive you for laying open the thoughts of your heart to me.

Still, Abi, you have not told us all of them.

You have not told us, for instance," he went on slowly, and in the midst of an intense silence, "that but last night you debated whether it would not be possible with that guard of yours to break into my palace and put me to the sword and name yourself Pharaoh--by right of blood, Abi; yes, by right of blood--my blood shed by you, my brother." As these words left the royal lips a tumult arose in the hall, the women and the great officers sprang up, the captains stepped forward drawing their swords to avenge so horrible a sacrilege.