CHAPTER XVII
TUA FINDS HER LOVER
Rames it was without a doubt; Rames grown older and stern and sad offace, but still Rames, and no other man, and oh! their eyes swam andtheir hearts beat at the sight of him.
"Say, shall we declare ourselves?" asked Asti.
"Nay," answered Tua, "not here and now. He would not believe, and wecannot unveil before all these men. Also, first I desire to learn more.Let him pass."
Rames rode on till he came opposite to where the two women sat on theirwhite camels beneath a tree, when something seemed to attract his gazeto them. He looked once carelessly and turned his head away. He looked asecond time, and again turned his head, though more slowly. He lookeda third time, and his eyes remained fixed upon those two veiled womenseated on their camels beneath the trees. Then, as though acting uponsome impulse, he pulled upon his horse's bit, and rode up to them.
"Who are you, Stranger Ladies," he asked, "who own such fine camels?"
Tua bowed her head that the folds of her veil might hide her shape, butAsti answered in a feigned voice:
"Sir, both of us are merchants, and one is a harper and a singer.We have travelled hither up the Nile to the Golden City because weunderstand that in Napata pearls are rare, and such we have to sell.Also we were told that the new King of this city loved good singing,and my companion, who sings and harps, learned her art in Egypt, even atThebes the holy. But who are you, Sir, that question us?"
"Lady," answered Rames, "I am an Egyptian who holds this town on behalfof the Queen of Egypt whom once I knew. Or perhaps I should say that Ihold it on behalf of the Pharaoh of Egypt, since my spies tell me thatthe Star of Amen has taken Abi, Prince of Memphis, to husband, althoughthey add that he finds her a masterful wife," and he laughed bitterly.
"Sir," replied Asti, "it is long since we left holy Thebes, some yearsindeed, and we know nothing of these things, who ply our trade fromplace to place. But if you are the governor of this town, show us, wepray you, as countrywomen of yours, where we may lodge in safety, andat your leisure this afternoon permit that we exhibit our pearls beforeyou, and when that is done, and you have bought or refused them, as youmay wish, that my companion should sing to you some of the ancient songsof Egypt."
"Ladies," answered Rames, "I am a soldier who would rather buy swordsthan pearls. Also, as it chances, I am a man who dwells alone, onein whose household no women can be found. Yet because you are of mycountry, or by Amen I know not why! I grant you your request. I go outto exercise this company in the arts of war, but after sundown you shallcome to my palace, and I will see your wares and hear your songs. Tillthen, farewell. Officer," he added to a captain who had followed him,"take these Egyptians and their camels and give them a lodging in theguest-house, where they will not be molested, and at sundown bring themto me."
Then, still staring at them as though they held his eyes in theirhearts, Rames departed, and the captain led them to their lodging.