Now, Rames, my son, my blessing and the blessing of him who shaped us be with you, and farewell." Then Mermes kissed him on the brow and, turning, left the room, nor did they ever meet again.
But Asti stayed awhile, and coming to him presently, looked Rames in the eyes, and said: "Mourn not.

Separations are no new thing, death is no new thing; all these sorrows have been on the earth for millions of years, and for millions of years yet shall be.

Live out your life, rejoicing if the days be good, content if they be but ill, regretting nothing save your sins, fearing nothing, expecting nothing, since all things are appointed and cannot be changed." "I hear," he answered humbly, "and I will not forget.

Whether I succeed or fail you shall not be ashamed for me." Now his mother turned to go also, but paused and said: "I have a gift for you, Rames, from one whose name may not be spoken." "Give it to me," he said eagerly, "I feared that it was all but a dream." "Oh!" replied Asti scanning his face, "so there was a dream, was there?
Did it fall upon you last night when the daughter of Amen, my foster-child, instructed you in secret ?" "The gift," said Rames, stretching out his hand.
Then, smiling in her quiet fashion, his mother drew from the bosom of her robe some object that was wrapped in linen and, touching her forehead with the royal seal that fastened it, gave it to Rames.

With trembling fingers he broke the seal and there within the linen lay a ring which for some years, as Rames knew, Tua had worn upon the first finger of her right hand.