"To-night we all do honour to the heir of his Majesty of Kesh.

Pharaoh receives him, Pharaoh's daughter accepts his gifts, the highest in the land surround him," then she paused and added slowly, "one of blood more ancient than his own waits on him as cup-bearer, one whose race built up the throne his father fills," and she pointed to Rames, who stood near by holding the vase of wine.

"Why, then, should not Egypt's queen seek to please our royal guest as best she may--since she has no other gift to give him ?" Then in the dead silence which followed this bold speech, whereof none could mistake the meaning, Neter-Tua, Morning Star of Amen, rose from her seat.

Pressing the ivory harp against her young breast, she bent over it, her head crowned with the crown of Upper Egypt whereon glistened the royal _uraeus_, a snake about to strike, and swept the well-tuned strings.
Such magic was in her touch that instantly all else was forgotten, even the Pharaoh leaned back in his golden chair to listen.

Softly she struck at first, then by slow degrees ever louder till the music of the harp rang through the pillared hall.