“A footstool of silk is more comfortable to sit on than a state chair fashioned of blood-stained swords.  Hearken you, Kaku!  I am afraid.  You say that you are the greatest of seers, and can read the future.  Well, I desire to know the future, so if you are not a charlatan, show it to me.”

“A charlatan!  How can you suggest it, Merytra, remembering the adventure of the image?”

“That may have been an accident.  Pharaoh was sickly for years, and had a stroke before.  If you are not a cheat show me the future in that magic crystal.  I would learn the worst, so that I may know how to meet it when it comes.”

“Well, Wife, we will try, though to see such high visions the spirit should be calm, which I fear yours is not—­nay, be not angry.  We will try, we will try.  Sit here now, and gaze, and above all be silent while I say the appropriate spells.”

So the ball of crystal having been set upon the table, the pair stared into it as Kaku muttered his charms and invocations.  For a long while Merytra saw nothing, till suddenly a shadow gathered in the ball, which slowly cleared away, revealing the image of dead Pharaoh clothed in his mummy wrappings.  As she started back to scream the image seemed to loose its hands from the cloths that bound them, and strike outwards, whereon the crystal suddenly shattered, so that the pieces of it flew about the room, one of which struck her on the mouth, knocking out two of her front teeth, and gashing her lips.

Merytra uttered a cry, and fell backwards to the floor, while Kaku sprang from his chair as though to run away, then thought better of it, and stood still, shivering with fear.

“What was that?” said Merytra, rising from the ground, and wiping the blood from her cut mouth.

“I do not know,” answered Kaku, in a quavering voice.  “It would seem that the gods deny to us that knowledge of the future which you sought.  Be content with the present, Merytra.”

“Content with the present,” she screamed, infuriated.  “Look at what the present has given me—­a mouthful of blood and teeth.  I, who was beautiful, am spoiled for ever; I am become an old hag.  Pharaoh burst the ball with his hand, and threw the pieces at me.  I saw him do it, and you set him there.  Wretch, I will pay you back for this evil trick,” and springing at Kaku, she tore of his astrologer’s cap, and the wig beneath it, and beat his bald head with them till he cried for mercy.

It was at this moment that the door opened, and through it, breathless, white with terror, half-clothed, appeared none other than the Prince Abi.

“What passes here?” he gasped, sinking into a chair.  “Is this the way you conduct your midnight studies, Kaku?”

“Certainly not, most high Lord,” replied the astrologer, trying to bow with his eye fixed on Merytra, who stood by him, the torn wig in her hand, in the act of striking.  “Certainly not, exalted Prince.  A domestic difference, that is all.  This wild cat of a woman whom I have married having met with an accident, gave way to her devilish temper.”