I who wear the fashion of the Queen will go forth and be his wife, oh! such a wife as man never had before," and as she spoke the words an awful look swept across her face, and her deep eyes flamed.

"Ill goes it with the mortal man who weds a wraith that hates him and is commanded to work his woe," she added.
Now Asti and Tua understood and smiled, then the Queen said: "So you will sit in my seat, O Shadow, and as your lord, Abi will sit on Pharaoh's throne and find it hard.

But what of Egypt and my people ?" "Fear not for Egypt and your people, O Morning Star.

With these it shall go well enough until you come back to claim them." "And what of my companion and myself ?" asked Tua.
The Double raised her sceptre, and pointed to the open window-space between them, beneath which, hundreds of feet beneath, ran the milky waters of the river.
"You shall trust yourselves to the bosom of Father Nile," she answered solemnly.
Now the Queen and Asti stared at each other.
"That means," said Tua, "that we must trust ourselves to Osiris, for none can fall so far and live." "Think you so, O Star?
Where, then, is that faith you promised, without which I can do nothing?
Nay, I tell no more.

Do my bidding, or let me go, and deal with Abi as it pleases you.