"I am now weak and wearied," said the ruler, "and were it not for anxiety touching thy youth and the future of Egypt, I would this day beg my deathless ancestors to call me to their glory. Each day is for me more difficult, and therefore, Rameses, thou wilt begin to share the burden of rule with me. As a hen teaches her chicks to search out grains of corn and hide before the hawk, so I will teach thee that toilsome art of ruling a state and watching the devices of enemies. May thou fall on them in time, like an eagle on timid partridges." The pharaoh's barge and its well-ordered retinue had descended to a point opposite the palace. The wearied ruler took a seat in his litter, and at that moment Herhor approached Rameses. "Permit me, worthy prince," said he, "to be the earliest among those who are delighted with thy elevation. May thou lead the army with as much success as thou shalt govern the most important part of the state to the glory of Egypt." Rameses pressed his hand firmly. "Didst thou do this, O Herhor?" asked he. "It belonged to thee," replied the minister. "Thou hast my gratitude, and wilt see that it is of value." "Thou hast rewarded me already in speaking thus," replied Herhor. The prince wished to depart; Herhor detained him. "A brief word. Be careful, O heir, that one of thy women, Sarah, does not sing religious hymns." When Rameses looked at him with astonishment, he added,-- "During our sail on the Nile that maiden sang our most sacred hymn, a hymn to which only the pharaoh and high priests have the right to listen. Poor child! she might have suffered for her skill and for her ignorance of what she was singing." "Then has she committed sacrilege?" inquired Rameses, in confusion. "Yes, unconsciously," answered Herhor. "It is lucky that I was the only man who understood it, and my decision is that between that song and our hymn the resemblance is remote. In every case let her never repeat it." "Well, and should she purify herself?" asked the prince. "Will it suffice her, as a foreign woman, if she gives thirty cows to the temple of Isis?" "Yes, let her give them," replied Herhor, with a slight grimace. "The gods are not offended by gifts." "Do thou, noble lord," said Rameses, "be pleased to accept this miraculous shield, which I received from my sacred grandfather." "I?--the shield of Amenhôtep?" exclaimed the minister, with emotion. "Am I worthy of it?" "By thy wisdom thou art equal to my grandfather, and thou wilt equal him in position." Herhor made a low bow in silence. That golden shield set with precious stones, besides its great value in money, had moreover the virtue of an amulet; hence it was a regal present. But the prince's words might have the loftier meaning that Herhor would equal Amenhôtep in position. Amenhôtep had been the father-in-law of a pharaoh. Had the heir decided already to marry Herhor's daughter?