“Behold! I have prepared against this happy hour,” continued the Queen, and going to an inlaid cabinet at one side of the room, she took from it a curious ring of dull gold, bearing one priceless gem cut in the form of a lotus lily. “Hold forth thy hand,” she said, and on his finger placed the ring.

“Thus do I claim thee for all eternity.”

The Sages had watched the actors in this life-drama with jealous eyes that noted every detail with open satisfaction. At Queen Candace’s last words, Ai extended his arms with the solemn words:

“And now it is done and never can be undone or altered. Let us hence, that the union may be speedily accomplished.”

CHAPTER XVII

IN a month the marriage was to be celebrated with great pomp and rejoicing. Preparations began as soon as the interview between the Queen and the prospective King was over.

After his return from this betrothal, the power of second sight which seemed to have left Reuel for a time, returned in full force. Restlessness was upon him; Dianthe’s voice seemed ever calling to him through space. Finally, when his feelings became insupportable, he broached the subject to Ai.

The latter regarded his questioner gravely. “Of a truth thou art a legitimate son of Ethiopia. Thou growest the fruits of wisdom. Descendant of the wise Chaldeans, still powerful to a degree undreamed of by the pigmies of this puny age, you look incredulous, but what I tell you is the solemn truth.”

“The Chaldeans disappeared from this world centuries ago,” declared Reuel.

“Not all—in me you behold their present head; within this city and the outer world, we still number thousands.”

Reuel uttered an exclamation of incredulous amazement. “Not possible!”

Silently Ai went to his cabinet and took down a small, square volume which he placed in Reuel’s hand. “It is a record of the wisdom and science of your ancestors.”

Reuel turned it over carefully,—the ivory pages were covered with characters sharply defined and finely engraved.

“What language is this? It is not Hebrew, Greek nor Sanskrit, nor any form of hieroglyphic writing.”

“It is the language once commonly spoken by your ancestors long before Babylon was builded. It is known to us now as the language of prophecy.”

Reuel glanced at the speaker’s regal form with admiration and reverence.

“Teach me what thou knowest, Ai,” he said humbly, “for, indeed, thou art a wonderful man.”

“Gladly,” replied Ai, placing his hand in loving tenderness upon the bowed head of the younger man. “Our destiny was foreordained from the beginning to work together for the upbuilding of humanity and the restoration of the race of our fathers. This little book shall teach your soul all that you long to know, and now grasp but vaguely. You believe in the Soul?”

“Most assuredly!”

“As a Personality that continues to live after the body perishes?”

“Certainly.”