"Do you not think," I said, "that this state of mind is connected with her illness before you left, when the viceroy Mœris dined with us?" Remeses started, and fixed upon me his full gaze. "Sesostris, what led you to connect the present with that event?" "Because the queen has never been wholly well and cheerful since that day." "What think you of Prince Mœris? Speak freely." "He is a proud, ambitious, and unprincipled man." "Do you think he loves me?" "I fear not." "You are right. But you shall hear what I have to relate. Three hours since my mother sent for me. I found her in the chapel where the shrine of Osiris receives her most private prayers. She was kneeling when I entered, her face towards the god; but her eyes, wet with tears, penetrated the heavens, and seemed to seek a living Power that could hear and answer prayer, Sesostris. She did not see me, and her voice was audible: "'Protect him! Guard him from his foe! Spare me the discovery of the secret, and place him upon the throne of Egypt, O immortal and pitying Osiris! O Isis, hear! O goddess of the sacred bow, and mother of Horus, hear! Give me strength to act, and wisdom in this my great perplexity!' "I drew near, and kneeling by my mother's side, laid her head against my heart, and said-- "'The God of all gods, the Father Infinite hear thee, O mother! What is it thou prayest for with such strong woe and fear?' "'Hast thou heard me?' she exclaimed, rising and speaking wildly. '_What_ didst thou hear? Nay, I have betrayed no secret?' "'None, mother, none! Thou didst only speak of one which distressed thee,' I said soothingly; for, my dear Sesostris, I was inexpressibly moved by her agitated manner, unlike any thing I have ever before witnessed in her usually calm, serene, and majestic demeanor. "She leaned heavily upon me, and I led her to an alcove in which was the shrine of Athor. "'Sit down, Remeses--my son Remeses,' she repeated, with a singular emphasis upon the words 'my son.' 'Hear what I wish to reveal to thee! I am now more composed. There is in my heart a great and ceaseless anxiety. Do not ask me what it is! The secret, I trust, will remain sealed forever from thy ears! Ask not--seek not to know it. You may as successfully obtain an answer from the heart of the great pyramid, revealing what is buried there from human eyes, as obtain an answer from me of the mystery lying at my heart. It will be embalmed with me, and go with me to the lower world!' "'Mother,' I said, alarmed at her depressed manner, 'thou art ill--let me send for thy physician--' "'Nay, nay--I am not ill! I shall be better soon! _You_, Remeses, have the key to my happiness and health,' she said tenderly, yet seriously. "'Then I will yield it up to thee!' I answered pleasantly.