登陆注册
5145400000037

第37章

"A strange one, I think, Queen. You know his waiting-woman, Merytra, she of whom he is so fond, and who stood behind him with a fan this night.""Aye, I know her," replied Tua, with emphasis. "She was ever whispering with that tall astrologer at the feast. But does Pharaoh take counsel with waiting-ladies of his private household?""With this waiting-lady, it seems, Queen. Perhaps you have not heard all her story. in the year before your birth Merytra came up the Nile with Abi. She was then quite young and very pretty; one of Abi's women. It seems that the Prince struck her for some fault, and being clever she determined to be revenged upon him. Soon she got her chance, for she heard Abi disclose to the astrologer Kaku, that same man whom you saw to-night talking with her, a plan that he had made to murder Pharaoh and declare himself king, from which Kaku dissuaded him. Having this secret and being bold, she fled at once from the ship of Abi, and that night told Pharaoh everything. But he forgave Abi, and sent him home again with honour who should have slain him for his treason. Only Merytra remained in the Court, and from that time forward Pharaoh, who trusted her and was caught by her wit and beauty, made it a habit to send for her when he wished to have news of Memphis where she was born, because she seemed always to know even the most secret things that were passing in that city. Moreover, often her information proved true.""That is not to be wondered at, Nurse, seeing that doubtless it came from this Kaku, Abi's astrologer and magician.""No, Queen, it is not to be wondered at, especially as she paid back secret for secret. Well, I believe that after I had warned Pharaoh of what I knew, never mind how, he sent for Merytra, who laughed the tale to scorn, and told him that Abi his brother had long ago abandoned all ambitions, being well content with his great place and power which one of his sons would inherit after him. She told him also that the troops were but assembled to do the greater honour to your Majesties who had no more loyal or loving subject than the Prince Abi, whom for her part she hated with good cause, as she loved Pharaoh and his House--with good cause. If there were any danger, she asked would she dare to put herself within the reach of Abi, the man that she had once betrayed because her heart was pure and true, and she was faithful to her king.

So Pharaoh believed her, and I obeyed the orders of Pharaoh, knowing that if I did not do so he would grow angry and perhaps separate me from you, my beloved Queen and fosterling, which, now that Rames has gone, would, I think, have meant my death. Yet I fear that I have erred.""Yes, I fear also that you have erred, Asti, but everything is forgiven to those who err through love," answered Tua kindly and kissing her. "Oh, my father, Pharaoh! What god fashioned you so weak that an evil spirit in a woman's shape can play the rudder to your policy! Leave me now, Asti, for I must sleep and call on Amen to aid his daughter. The snare is strong and cunning, but, perchance, in my dreams he will show me how it may be broke."That night when the feast was ended Merytra, Pharaoh's favoured waiting-maid, did not return with the rest of the royal retinue to the temple where he lodged. As they went from the hall in state she whispered a few words into the ear of the chief Butler of the Household who, knowing that she had the royal pass to come in and out as she would, answered that the gate should be opened to her, and let her go.

So covering her head with a dark cloak Merytra slipped behind a certain statue in the ante-hall and waited till presently a tall figure, also wrapped in a dark cloak, appeared and beckoned to her.

She followed it down sundry passages and up a narrow stair that seemed almost endless, until, at length, the figure unlocked a massive door, and when they had passed it, locked it again behind them.

Now Merytra found herself in a very richly furnished room lit by hanging-lamps, that evidently was the abode of one who watched the stars and practised magic, for all about were strange-looking brazen instruments and rolls of papyrus covered with mysterious signs, and suspended above the table a splendid divining ball of crystal. Merytra sank into a chair, throwing off her dark cloak.

"Of a truth, friend Kaku," she said, so soon as she had got her breath, "you dwell very near the gods.""Yes, dear Merytra," he answered with a dry chuckle, "I keep a kind of half-way house to heaven. Perched here in my solitude I see and make note of what goes on above," and he pointed to the skies, "and retail the information, or as much of it as I think fit, to the groundlings below.""At a price, I suppose, Kaku."

"Most certainly at a price, and I may add, a good price. No one thinks much of the physician who charges low fees. Well, you have managed to get here, and after all these years I am glad to see you again, looking almost as young and pretty as ever. Tell me your secret of eternal youth, dear Merytra."Merytra, who was vain, smiled at this artful flattery, although, in truth, it was well deserved, for at an age when many Egyptians are old, she remained fresh and fair.

"An excellent conscience," she answered, "a good appetite and the virtuous, quiet life, which is the lot of the ladies of Pharaoh's Court--there you have the secret, Kaku. I fear that you keep too late hours, and that is why you grow white and withered like a mummy--not but that you look handsome enough in those long robes of yours," she added to gild the pill.

同类推荐
  • 佛说诸法本经

    佛说诸法本经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Smoke Bellew

    Smoke Bellew

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 送叶秀才赴举兼呈吕

    送叶秀才赴举兼呈吕

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 楚曲十种临潼斗宝

    楚曲十种临潼斗宝

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大唐青龙寺三朝供奉大德行状

    大唐青龙寺三朝供奉大德行状

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 今天是他的生日

    今天是他的生日

    我认识一个民警,是在朋友聚会的场合里认识的,那是一个很大的卡拉OK厅,我们便在闪烁的彩灯下握了握手,民警的手很热情,握过手之后,我仔细地看了他几眼,就笑起来,冒昧地对这个民警说,你恋爱了。这个年轻的民警当时很惊讶,眼睛一动不动地望着我,似乎在期待我做进一步的解释,我没有再说什么,我只是故弄玄虚地笑了笑,说,我没猜错吧?他点点头,说,没错。这个25岁的民警叫凡一民,他后来有一次在大街上碰见我,一眼就把我从人流中叼了出来,眼睛蛮厉害的,我想我若是一个逃犯,这下子就栽在他手里了。
  • 正邪天下(4)

    正邪天下(4)

    一段师门恩怨引出一场天下动乱。武林之争始于绝世奇人空灵子所创“天平六术”。空灵子六位逆徒横行江湖,扰起一场血腥风雨。两位神秘少年便在这风雨江湖中同时崛起,各凭绝世智谋在武林中卷起一股狂潮,心怀圣意者,却魔缘不断,而心怀邪念者,却机缘连连,更统一邪道与正道相持不下,然而,自古正邪不两立,他们终因不同的信念而决战武林。
  • 少年最识烦滋味

    少年最识烦滋味

    好友相邀为10~15岁青少年写一套心理丛书,喜自心底生。一来觉得太有必要,二来觉得多年与青少年打交道的经验终于可以和更多同学分享。信誓旦旦地拟了一套丛书的名字和主旨,几个志同道合的同学雀跃着准备大干一场。
  • 楚辞(精装典藏本)

    楚辞(精装典藏本)

    《楚辞》是战国时代的伟大诗人屈原创造的一种诗体。作品运用楚地(今两湖一带)的文学样式、方言声韵,叙写楚地的山川人物、历史风情,具有浓厚的地方特色。汉代时,刘向把屈原的作品及宋玉等人“承袭屈赋”的作品编辑成集,名为《楚辞》。并成为继《诗经》以后,对我国文学具有深远影响的一部诗歌总集。并且是我国第一部浪漫主义诗歌总集。
  • 政府新闻发言人教程

    政府新闻发言人教程

    本书共分三篇:观念篇、技巧篇与专题篇,每篇包含三章。每章之前均有对该章重点内容的概括,根据不同篇章的内容将配有不同形式的案例,有的案例附在一章之后,有的融进正文之中。
  • 帷幕上的青春

    帷幕上的青春

    这是一个漂浮于现实和虚幻边缘的青春故事,林蔓是E城首富苏振文的私生女,在初见的字里行间里,她表现泼辣而洒脱。霹雳起自平地,在经历了一系列突兀的生活变故后,她也慢慢丧失了麻辣的本性,而掺杂了更多的触景伤情,但她始终不变的是理性和勇敢。林蔓这个人物的性格塑造取材于八零与九零之间几个现实人物的杂合。 林蔓最好的两个姐妹,陶莱和赵小焰,陶莱是个颇有姿色的女生,高三的时候在爱情里受过伤,渴望却不相信爱情,她很反感林蔓喜欢的人季秋晨,总认为他并不适合她。而林蔓高中时的朋友岑南洋,更是一个近乎疯狂的存在。 另一个游窜在林蔓精神世界里的人物,Riddle,实则他们有过几次现实交错,但她并不知道。 这段故事的所有真相,只在结局暴露。文中穿插很多幽默而精辟的语言,有对于现实社会深刻的剖析。在现实和理想的放映中,总有一段文字,是为了你那落寞张扬的青春而来。
  • 重生之无敌吕布

    重生之无敌吕布

    喝烈酒,骑好马,抢地盘,拥美人。重活一世,吕布高举方天画戟,朝着麾下众人怒吼一声,“众将听令,一个字,就是干!”粉丝群号:611642175喜欢本书的可以进群来探讨一下剧情,嗨皮一下。
  • 读书止观录

    读书止观录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 弃妃不好惹

    弃妃不好惹

    她本应该在现代过着富二代的公主生活,却没想到,在新婚时,被自己的丈夫和闺蜜算计,让自己命丧黄泉,只是苍天有眼,让她重活一世,既然重生,那么,她会把两世的命一起活,那些害她命丧的人,她会一个一个的跟他们清算!不死不休!书友群(518923931)欢迎大家入坑
  • 全职法尊

    全职法尊

    小说介绍:少年叶怀空踏上法术的道路,三个少女陪伴着主角经历非凡的冒险人生。欢迎加入轮回。