There upon his bed he lay and about him were the physicians of his Court.

He was speechless, but his eyes were open, and he knew his daughter, for, raising his hand feebly, he beckoned to her, and pointed at his feet.
"What is it, man ?" she asked of the head physician, who, by way of answer, lifted the linen on the bed, and showed her Pharaoh's legs and feet, white and withered as though with fire.
"What sickness is this ?" asked Tua again.
"We know not, O Queen," answered the physician, "for in all our lives we have never seen its like.

The flesh is suddenly wasted, and the limbs are paralysed." "But I know," broke in Asti.

"This is not sickness, it is sorcery.
Pharaoh has been smitten by some foul spell of the Prince Abi, or of his wizards.

Say, who was with him last ?" "It seems that the Lady of the Footstool, Merytra, sang him to sleep, as was her custom," answered the physician, "and left him about two hours ago, so say the guard.