Part 11 (2/2)
In this hall was the malachite statue of the bird-headed Horus, adorned with gold and jewels. In front of the statue was an altar shaped as a truncated pyramid, the king's armor, costly armchairs and stools, also tables covered with trifles and small objects.
When the pharaoh appeared, one of the priests burnt incense before him, and one of the officials announced Prince Rameses, who soon entered and bowed low before his father. On the expressive face of the prince feverish disquiet was evident.
”Erpatr, I rejoice,” said the pharaoh, ”that thou hast returned in good health from a difficult journey.”
”Mayst thou live through eternity, holiness, and thy affairs fill the two worlds!” replied Rameses.
”My military advisers have just informed me of thy labor and prudence.”
The heir's face quivered and changed. He fixed great eyes on the pharaoh and listened.
”Thy deeds will not remain without reward. Thou wilt receive ten talents, a great chain, and two Greek regiments with which thou wilt exercise.”
Rameses was amazed, but after a while he asked with a stifled voice,--
”But the corps in Memphis?”
”In a year we will repeat the manuvres, and if thou make no mistake in leading the army thou wilt get the corps.”
”I know that Herhor did this!” cried the prince, hardly restraining his anger.
He looked around, and added, ”I can never be alone with thee, my father; strangers are always between us.”
The pharaoh moved his brows slightly, and his suite vanished, like a crowd of shadows.
”What hast thou to tell me?”
”Only one thing, father. Herhor is my enemy. He accused me to thee and exposed me to this shame!”
In spite of his posture of obedience the prince gnawed his lips and balled his fists.
”Herhor is thy friend and my faithful servant. It was his persuasion that made thee heir to the throne. But--I--will not confide a corps to a youthful leader who lets himself be cut off from his army.”
”I joined it,” answered the crushed heir; ”but Herhor commanded to march around two beetles.”
”Dost thou wish that a priest should make light of religion in the presence of the army?”
”My father,” whispered Rameses, with quivering voice, ”to avoid spoiling the journey of the beetles a ca.n.a.l was destroyed, and a man was killed.”
”That man raised his own hands on himself.”
”But that was the fault of Herhor.”
”In the regiments which thou didst concentrate near Pi-Bailos thirty men died from over-exertion, and several hundred are sick.”
The prince dropped his head.
”Rameses,” continued the pharaoh, ”through thy lips is speaking not a dignitary of the state who is thinking of the soundness of ca.n.a.ls and the lives of laborers, but an angry person. Anger does not accord with justice any more than a falcon with a dove.”
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