Tua did not know the face, though it seemed to her to be like her own, but Asti knew it, and at the sight sank to the ground.
Now the figure stood in front of them, a thing of light framed in the thick darkness, and now in a sweet, low voice it spoke.
"Hail! Queen of Egypt," it said.

"Hail! Neter-Tua, Daughter of Amen.

Art thou afraid to look on the spirit of her who bore thee, thou that didst dare to summon the Father of the gods to do thy bidding ?" "I am afraid," answered Tua, shaking in all her limbs.
"And thou, Asti the Magician, art thou afraid also, who but now wast bold enough to cry to Amen-Ra--'Come from thy high heaven and make answer' ?" "It is even so, O Queen Ahura," murmured Asti.
"Woman," went on the voice, "thy sin is great, and great is the sin of this royal one at thy side.

Had Amen hearkened, how would the two of you have stood before his glory, who at the sight of this shape of mine that once was mortal like yourselves, crouch choking to the earth?
I tell you both that had the god arisen, as in your wickedness ye willed, there where ye knelt, there ye would have died.

But he who knows all is merciful, and in his place has sent me his messenger that ye may live to look upon to-morrow's sun." "Let Amen pardon us!" gasped Tua, "it was my sin, O Mother, for I commanded Asti and she obeyed me.