Then it held out its hands towards Tua as though in blessing, and instantly was not.
Once more the two women stood in Tua's chamber.

Pale and shaken they looked into each other's eyes.
"You have had your will, Queen," said Asti; "for if Amen did not come, he sent a messenger, and a royal one." "Interpret me this vision," answered Tua, "for to me, at any rate, that Spirit said little." "Nay, it said much.

It said that love fails not of its reward, and what more went you out to seek ?" "Then I am glad," exclaimed Tua joyfully.
"Be not too glad, Queen, for to-night we have sinned, both of us, who dared to summon Amen from his throne, and sin also fails not of its reward.

Blood is the price of that oracle." "Whose blood, Asti?
Ours ?" "Nay, worse, that of those who are dear to us.

Troubles arise in Egypt, Queen." "You will not leave me when they break, Asti ?" "I may not if I would.