It was night. Dark and solemn was the innermost shrine of the vasttemple, the "House of Amen in the Northern Apt," which we call Karnak,the very holy of holies where, fashioned of stone, and with thefeathered crown upon his head, stood the statue of Amen-ra, father ofthe gods. Here, where none but the high-priest and the royalties ofEgypt might enter, Pharaoh and his wife Ahura, wrapped in brown cloakslike common folk, knelt at the feet of the god and prayed. With tearsand supplications did they pray that a child might be given to them.
There in the sacred place, lit only by a single lamp which burned fromage to age, they told the story of their grief, whilst high above themthe cold, calm countenance of the god seemed to stare through the gloom,as for a thousand years, in joy or sorrow, it had stared at those thatwent before them. They told of the mocking words of Abi who had demandedto see their children, the children that were not; they told of theirterror of the people who demanded that an heir should be declared; theytold of the doom that threatened their ancient house, which from Pharaohto Pharaoh, all of one blood, for generations had worshipped in thisplace. They promised gifts and offerings, stately temples and widelands, if only their desire might be fulfilled.
"Let me no more be made a mock among men," cried the beautiful queen,beating her forehead upon the stone feet of the god. "Let me bear achild to fill the seat of my lord the King, and then if thou wilt, takemy life in payment."
But the god made no answer, and wearied out at length they rose anddeparted. At the door of the sanctuary they found the high-priestawaiting them, a wizened, aged man.
"The god gave no sign, O High-priest," said Pharaoh sadly; "no voicespoke to us."
The old priest looked at the weeping queen, and a light of pity creptinto his eyes.
"To me, watching without," he said, "a voice seemed to speak, thoughwhat it said I may not reveal. Go to your palace now, O Pharaoh, and OQueen Ahura, and take your rest side by side. I think that in your sleepa sign will come to you, for Amen is pitiful, and loves his childrenwho love him. According to that sign so speak to the Prince Abi, speakwithout fear or doubt, since for good or ill it shall be fulfilled."
Then like shadows, hand in hand, this royal pair glided down the vast,pillared halls till at the pylon gates, which were opened for them, theyfound their litters, and were borne along the great avenue of ram-headedsphinxes back to a secret door in the palace wall.