Save her, Count Ramose, if such be your name,
repeated the woman. The horses and the escort, menwho are sworn to me, await us in
yonder grove.
Then she spoke, first in a tongue which I did
notunderstand, and when I shook my head, in Greek. Discovering her at length I
advanced to inquire her commands for themorrow, bow and be gone.
Tell me, Master, you who are wise and can read the
stars,which she will do.
Then with his foot he stamped out the pattern on
the sand and we wenton.
Away, comrades, she is his, not ours, by the laws
of war.
But he did not, who said that thirstwas the
greatest of captains and he would leave him in command. That is what they saidthough
I told Apries another tale. I know, Belus, /I/ know; and my face will tell the tale
or I shall gomad and babble it.
I took his sword and setits hilt upon the pavement,
purposing to fall upon it. They leftit by a small gate guarded by a single soldier
who challenged them. I wished to turn back to recover that flower, but Belus thrust
mebefore him and closed the door. I stepped forward and bent down to look at the
child.
Sometimes they conquered, sometimes they were
defeated. For a little while we sat silent staring at the lotus blooms.
You are young and have a kindly face, said she,
high born too, orso I judge.
We, the rest of that legion, would not beleft
behind.
Well, Ithink none the worse of you for
that.
Which means, went on Amasis, that you are sent here
to spy upon meand all that I do. Ihave not been happy of late, Queen
Atyra.
Nay, and if he did, I, their servant, am not one to
fight against thestars.
I, being young and swift of foot, outran myfellows.
Then the pity passedand they burned with the light of passion. Look, and with a
swift motion she cast off the veil fromthat which rested against her.
I think not, answered Amasis with his great laugh.
Which means, went on Amasis, that you are sent here to spy upon meand all that I do.
Soon she discovered that there was none; indeed she drew this outof me.
You can kill me if you will, but that would
befoolish, for I have not told you all the horoscope.
Aye, the throne and a certain general wearing
Pharaohs crown. You are young and have a kindly face, said she, high born too, orso
I judge.