"Can the words of Ramses the Great apply to the daughter of a poor tenant?" asked the prince. "Besides, where are the Jews? Three centuries ago they left Egypt, and today they form a little state, ridiculous and priest-governed." "I see," answered the worthy lady, frowning slightly, "that thy mistress is not losing time. Be careful, Ramses; remember, that their leader was Messu (Moses), that traitor priest whom we curse to this day in our temples. Remember that the Jews bore away out of Egypt more treasures than the labor of their few generations was worth to us; they took with them not only gold, but the faith in one god, and our sacred laws, which they give out today as their own faith and laws. Last of all, know this," added she, with great emphasis, "that the daughters of that people prefer death to the bed of a foreigner. And if they give themselves even to hostile leaders, it is to use them for their policy or to kill them." "Believe me, mother, that it is our priests who spread all these reports. They will not admit to the footstool of the throne people of another faith lest those people might serve the pharaoh in opposition to their order." The queen rose from the armchair, and crossing her arms on her breast, gazed at her son with amazement. "What they tell me is true then, Thou art an enemy of our priests. Thou, their favorite pupil!" "I must have the traces of their canes to this day on my shoulders," said Ramses. "But thy grandfather and my father, Amenhotep, was a high priest, and possessed extensive power in this country." "Just because my grandfather was a pharaoh, and my father is a pharaoh also, I cannot endure the rule of Herhor." "He was brought to his position by thy grandfather, the holy Amenhotep." "And I will cast him down from it." The mother shrugged her shoulders. "And it is thou," answered she, with sadness, "who wishest to lead a corps? But Thou art a spoiled girl, not a man and a leader." "How is that?" interrupted the prince, restraining himself with difficulty from an outburst. "I cannot recognize my own son. I do not see in thee the future lord of Egypt. The dynasty in thy person will be like a Nile boat without a rudder. Thou wilt drive the priests from the court, but who will remain with thee? Who will be thy eye in the Lower and the Upper Country, who in foreign lands? But the pharaoh must see everything, whatever it be, on which fall the divine rays of Osiris." "The priests will be my servants, not my ministers." "They are the most faithful servants. Thanks to their prayers thy father reigns thirty-three years, and avoids war which might be fatal." "To the priests?"