nor of the viceroy continued a number of days in
succession, but they did not please him. Gladness was lacking and
disagreeable incidents happened.

One day a favorite of the prince was dancing before him; she burst into
tears. Ramses seized her in his arms, and asked what her trouble was.

At first she hesitated, but emboldened by the kindness of her lord, she
answered, shedding tears in still greater abundance,

"We are thy women, O ruler, we come from great families, and respect is
due to us."

"Thou speakest truth," said Ramses.

"Meanwhile thy treasurer stints us in allowance, and would deprive us
of serving-maids, without whom we cannot bathe or dress our hair."

Ramses summoned his treasurer, and commanded sternly that his women
should have all that belonged to their birth and position. The
treasurer fell on his face before the prince, and promised to carry out
all commands of the women. A couple of days later, a rebellion broke
out among the court slaves, who complained that their wine had been
taken. The heir ordered to give them wine. But during a review two days
later a deputation from the regiments came to the viceroy with a most
humble complaint, that their rations of meat and bread were diminished.
The prince commanded that those petitioners be satisfied.

Still, two days later a great uproar at the palace roused him in the
morning. Ramses inquired what the cause was; the officer on duty
explained that the pharaoh's laborers had assembled and asked for
arrears due them.

They summoned the treasurer, whom the prince attacked in great anger.

"What is going on here?" cried he. "Since my return there is no day
without complaints of injustice. If anything like this is repeated, I
shall order an inquiry and put an end to thy management."

The trembling treasurer fell on his face again, and groaned,

"Slay me, lord! But what am I to do when thy treasury, thy granaries,
and thy storehouses are empty?"

In spite of his anger the prince thought that the treasurer might be
innocent. He commanded him to withdraw, and then summoned Tutmosis.

"Listen to me," said Ramses to the favorite, "things are done here
which I do not understand, and to which I am not accustomed. My women,
the slaves, the army, the pharaoh's workmen do not receive what is due
them, or their supplies are curtailed. When I asked the treasurer what
this means, he answered that the treasury and the storehouses are
empty."

"He told t