ch weighed on the
lands of the state and the pharaoh. With this object he persuaded the
Phoenicians to resign a certain part of the sums due them from the
treasury, and to cover the rest he drew from the labyrinth the enormous
sum of thirty thousand talents.

Thanks to these measures, in the course of three months peace and
prosperity were established in Egypt.

"May the rule of the viceroy, San-Amen-Herhor be blessed!" said the
people. "Indeed the gods predestined him to power so as to free Egypt
from misfortunes brought on by Ramses XIII, who was a woman-hunter and
frivolous."

A few days sufficed the people to forget that all Herhor's acts were
merely the accomplishment of plans made by the young and lofty-minded
pharaoh.

In the month Tobi, when the mummy of Ramses XIII was placed in its
tomb, a great assembly of the most important personages met in the
temple of Amon. There were present almost all the high priests,
nomarchs, and generals of troops, and among them, covered with glory,
was the gray-haired chief of the eastern army, Nitager.

In this same gigantic hall of columns, where half a year earlier the
priests had judged Ramses XII, and shown dislike for Ramses XIII, those
dignitaries assembled to settle the most important question of state,
under the presidency of Herhor. On the 25th of Tobi, exactly at noon,
Herhor, in the miter of Amenhotep, sat on the throne; others sat in
armchairs, and the council took place.

It was of wonderfully short duration, just as if the result had been
arranged previously.

"High priests, nomarchs, and leaders," began Herhor. "We have assembled
here on sad and important business. With the death of the eternally
living Ramses XIII, whose short and stormy reign ended in a manner so
unfortunate "Here Herhor sighed.

"With Ramses XIII perished not only a pharaoh, but the twentieth
dynasty, which was full of glory."

Among those present rose a murmur.

"The dynasty has not ended," interrupted the powerful nomarch of
Memphis, almost harshly. "The worthy Queen Niort's is still living,
therefore the throne belongs to her."

After a time Herhor answered: "My most worthy consort, Queen Niort's."

Now in the assembly was heard, not a murmur, but a cry, and it lasted a
number of minutes. When it ceased Herhor continued calmly and with
emphasis:

"My most worthy consort, Queen Niort's, inconsolable through sorrow for
her son, has abdicated the throne."

"Permit!" exclaime