Then she asked anxiously: "My marriage, and with whom ?" "Oh! many names were mentioned, Child, since she who rules Egypt does not lack for suitors." "Tell me them quick, Asti." So she told them, there were seven in all, the Prince of Kesh, the sons of foreign kings, great nobles, and a general of the army who claimed descent from a former Pharaoh.
As each name fell from Asti's lips Tua waved her hand, saying scornful words, such as "I know him not," "Too old," "Fat and hideous," "A foreign dog who spits upon our gods," and so forth, adding at last: "Go on." "That is all, Lady, no other name was mentioned, and the Council adjourned to consider these." "No other name ?" "Do you then miss one, perchance, Tua ?" She made no answer, only her lips seemed to shape themselves to a certain sound that they did not utter.

The two women looked each other in the eyes, then Asti shook her head.
"It may not be," she whispered, "for many reasons, and amongst them that by the solemn decree of long ago whereof I have told you, our blood is barred for ever from the throne.

None would dare to break it, not even the Pharaoh himself.

You would bring my son to his death, Tua, which such another look as you gave him in yonder hall would surely do." "No," she answered slowly, "I would not bring him to his death, but to life and honour and--love, and one day _I_ shall be Pharaoh.

Only, Asti, if you betray me to him I swear that I will bring you to your death, although you are so dear." "I shall not betray you," answered the priestess, smiling again.