Then he raised his hands aloft and pronounced a solemn blessing over the assembled multitude.
“May the blessing of Ra rest upon your heads!
“May Osiris make your land fruitful and rich!
“May Isis give you grace and wisdom, and to your daughters beauty above all the children of men!
“And at your death may Horus intercede for you before the awesome judgment seat of the forty-two judges!
“Whilst the hand of Anubis guides your souls to eternal rest and peace!”
The blind priestesses swung their golden censers towards us, and very soon Hugh stood enveloped in a sweet-scented cloud, through which his tall figure appeared swathed in the white drapery, and dimly lighted from behind by the sanctuary lamps, which threw flickering blue rays round his head, like some ghostly halo.
After a few moments of absolute silence in the vast and crowded building, the Queen rose to her feet and said to Hugh:
“Will my lord honour the dwelling of his servant by his presence?”
And she led him to her litter, where she invited him to sit beside her. I followed and stood close to Hugh, for he had contrived to whisper, as he brushed past me: