"
"It is well, Lady," answered the Wanderer. "To-morrow night I meet thee
without the pylon gates. I also am minded to fly this land of witchcraft
and of horror, but I may scarce depart till Pharaoh return again. For he
has gone down to battle and left me to guard his palace."
"Of that we will talk hereafter. Go now! Go swiftly, for here we may not
talk more of earthly love," said the Golden Helen.
Then he took her hand and kissed it and passed from before her glory as
a man amazed.
But in his foolish wisdom he spoke no word to her of Meriamun the Queen.
VIII
THE LOOSING OF THE SPIRIT OF REI
Rei the Priest had fled with what speed he might from the Gates of
Death, those gates that guarded the loveliness of Helen and opened only
upon men doomed to die. The old man was heavy at heart, for he loved
the Wanderer. Among the dark children of Khem he had seen none like this
Achaean, none so goodly, so strong, and so well versed in all arts of
war. He remembered how this man had saved the life of her he loved above
all women--of Meriamun, the moon-child, the fairest queen who had sat
upon the throne of Egypt, the fairest and the most learned, save Taia
only. He bethought him of the Wanderer's beauty as he stood upon the
board while the long shafts hailed down the hall. Then he recalled
the vision of Meriamun, which she had told him long years ago, and the
shadow in a golden helm which watched the changed Hataska.
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