with which she has smitten them. For they will weep and pray and tear
their hair. Then they will rush through the temple courts and up to the
temple doors, and be thrust back again by that which guards her. But
some will yet strive madly on, and thou wilt hear the clash of arms
and they will fall dead before thee. Accursed is the land, I tell thee,
Wanderer; because of that Phantom it is accursed. For it is she who
brings these woes on Khem; from her, not from our slaves and their mad
conjurers, come plagues, I say, and all evil things. And till a man be
found who may pass her guard, and come face to face with the witch and
slay her, plagues and woes and evil things shall be the daily bread of
Khem. Perchance, Wanderer, thou art such a man," and she looked on him
strangely. "Yet if so, this is my counsel, that thou go not up against
her, lest thou also be bewitched, and a great man be lost to us."

Now the Wanderer turned the matter over in his heart and made answer:

"Perchance, Lady, my strength and the favour of the Gods might serve
me in such a quest. But methinks that this woman is meeter for words of
love and the kisses of men than to be slain with the sharp sword, if,
indeed, she be not of the number of the immortals."

Now Meriamun flushed and frowned.

"It is not fitting so to talk before me," she said. "Of this be sure,
that if the Witch may be come at, she shall be slain and given to Osiris
for a bride."

Now the Wanderer saw that the Lady Meriamun was jealous of the beauty
and renown and love of her who dwelt in the temple, and was called the
Strange Hathor, and he held his peace, for he knew when to be silent.