t in military caps and mantles.

"I fear lest this armed readiness may offend the worthy Sargon."

To this Herhor replied immediately,

"It is no harm that our effeminate nobles have taken a love for
military appearance during the visit of Sargon, for the Assyrians will
have a better opinion touching Egypt. Our most worthy viceroy,
enlightened by the gods, as is evident, has divined that just now it is
necessary to rattle our swords when we have with us the ambassadors of
such a military people. I am certain that this valiant bearing of our
youth will give Sargon something to think of, and will make him more
yielding in arguments."

For the first time since Egypt had become Egypt it happened that a
youthful prince had deceived the watchful priesthood. It is true that
the Phoenicians were behind him, and had stolen the secret of the
treaty with Assyria; of this the priests had not even a suspicion.

In fact, the very best mask which the heir had against suspicion was
his impetuosity of character. All remembered how easily in the past
year he had rushed from maneuvers at Pi-Bailos to Sarah's quiet country
villa, and how from feasts he had grown impassioned, recently, for
administrative labor, and then devotion, to return to feasts afterward.

So no one believed, with the exception of Tutmosis, that that changeful
youth had before him an object for which he would fight with invincible
decision.

Even this time there was no need to wait long for new proofs of the
prince's mobility of temper.

To Pi-Bast, in spite of the heat, came Sarah with all her court and her
infant. She was somewhat thin, her child a trifle ill, or wearied, but
both looked very charming.

The prince was enchanted. He assigned a house to Sarah in the choicest
part of the palace garden, and sat whole days, almost, at his son's
cradle.

Feasts, maneuvers, and gloomy meditations were forgotten; the lords of
his suite had to drink and amuse themselves without him. Very soon they
ungirded their swords and arrayed themselves in their most exquisite
garments. The change was the more indispensable as Ramses brought some
of them to Sarah's dwelling and showed his son to them.

"See, Tutmosis," said he once to his favorite, "what a pretty child: a
real rose leaf! Well, and out of this little thing a man will grow
gradually. And this rosy chick will walk about some day, talk, even
learn wisdom in the schools of the priesthood."

"Look at his little