When he had gone a few steps she seemed to come to some determination, for with an effort she raised herself and said: "Return, Count Rames, I have a message to give you for the King of Kesh who, unhappy man, has lost his son and heir, and it is one that no other ears must hear.

Leave me a while with this captain, O Mermes and Asti, and see that none listen to our talk.

Presently I will summon you to conduct him away." They hesitated, for this thing seemed strange, then noting the look she gave them, departed through the doors behind the royal seat.
Now Rames and the Queen were left alone in that great, lighted chamber.
With bent head and folded arms he stood before her while she looked at him intently, yet seemed to find no words to say.

At length she spoke in a sweet, low voice.
"It is many years since we were playmates in the courts of the temple yonder, and since then we have never been alone together, have we, Rames ?" "No, Great Lady," answered Rames, "for you were born to be a queen, and I am but a humble soldier who cannot hope to consort with queens." "Who cannot hope! Would you wish to then if you could ?" "O Queen," answered Rames, biting his lips, "why does it please you to make a mock of me ?" "It does not please me to do any such thing, for by my father Amen, Rames, I wish that we were children once more, for those were happy days before they separated us and set you to soldiering and me to statecraft." "You have learnt your part well, Star of the Morning," said Rames, glancing at her quickly.
"Not better than you, playmate Rames, if I may judge from your sword-play this night.

So it seems that we both of us are in the way of becoming masters of our trades." "What am I to say to your Majesty?
You have saved my life when it was forfeit----" "As once you saved mine when it was forfeit, and at greater risk.