Once more the two women stood in Tua's chamber. Pale and shaken theylooked into each other's eyes.
"You have had your will, Queen," said Asti; "for if Amen did not come,he sent a messenger, and a royal one."
"Interpret me this vision," answered Tua, "for to me, at any rate, thatSpirit said little."
"Nay, it said much. It said that love fails not of its reward, and whatmore went you out to seek?"
"Then I am glad," exclaimed Tua joyfully.
"Be not too glad, Queen, for to-night we have sinned, both of us, whodared to summon Amen from his throne, and sin also fails not of itsreward. Blood is the price of that oracle."
"Whose blood, Asti? Ours?"
"Nay, worse, that of those who are dear to us. Troubles arise in Egypt,Queen."
"You will not leave me when they break, Asti?"
"I may not if I would. The Fates have bound us together till the end,and that I think is far away. I am yours as once you were mine when youlay upon my breast, but bid me no more to summon Amen from his throne."