"A quick people, but gloomy fanatics and born enemies of Egypt. Only when they feel on their necks the iron-shod sandal of the Assyrian, will they turn to us. May that time not come too late to them! It is possible to use their services, not here, of course, but in Nineveh and Babylon." The pharaoh was wearied now. Hence the prince fell on his face before him, and when he had received the paternal embrace he went to his mother. The lady, sitting in her study, was weaving delicate linen to make garments for the gods, and her ladies in waiting were sewing and embroidering robes or making bouquets. A young priest was burning incense before the statue of Isis. "I come," said the prince, "to thank thee, my mother, and take farewell." The queen rose and putting her arms around her son's neck, said to him tearfully,-- "Hast thou changed so much? Thou art a man now! I meet thee so rarely that I might forget thy features did I not see them in my heart every moment. Thou art unkind. How many times have I gone with the first dignitary of the state toward thy villa, thinking that at last thou wouldst cease to be offended, but thou didst bring out thy favorite in my presence." "I beg thy pardon--I beg thy pardon!" said Rameses, kissing his mother. She conducted him to a garden in which peculiar flowers grew, and when they were without witnesses, she said,-- "I am a woman, so a woman and a mother has interest for me. Dost thou wish to take that girl with thee on thy journey? Remember that the tumult and the movement which will surround thee may harm her, for in her condition calm and quiet are needed." "Art thou speaking of Sarah?" inquired Rameses, astonished. "She has said nothing to me of that condition." "She may be ashamed; perhaps she does not herself know," replied the queen. "In every case the journey--" "I have no intention of taking her!" exclaimed Rameses. "But why does she hide this from me--as if the child were not mine?" "Be not suspicious," chided the lady. "This is the usual timidity of young women. Moreover, she may be hiding her condition from fear lest thou cast her away from thee." "For that matter, I shall not take her to my court!" broke out the prince, so impatiently that the queen's eyes were smiling, but she covered them with their long lashes. "It is not well to be over-harsh with a woman who loved thee. I know that thou hast given an assured support to her. We will give her something also. And a child of the royal blood must be reared well, and have property." "Naturally," answered Rameses. "My first son, though without princely rights, must be so placed that I may not be ashamed of him, and he must not regret separation from me." After parting with the queen, Rameses wished to go to Sarah, and with that object returned to his chambers. Two feelings were roused in him,--anger at Sarah for hiding the cause of her weakness, and pride that he was going to be a father.