t
went so far that men and women rolled on the floor, which was wet with
wine and covered with flowers and pieces of broken pitchers.

The prince was the soberest among them. He was not on the floor, he was
sitting in an armchair, holding on his knees two beautiful dancers, one
of whom was giving him wine, while the other was pouring strong
perfumes on his head.

At this moment an adjutant entered the hall, and, stepping over a
number of guests lying prostrate, hurried up to Ramses.

"Worthy lord," said he, "the holy Mefres and the holy Mentezufis wish
to speak at once with thee."

The viceroy pushed the girls away, and with red face, stained garments,
and tottering steps went to his chamber in the upper story. At sight of
him Mefres and Mentezufis looked at each other.

"What do ye wish, worthy fathers?" asked the prince, dropping into an
armchair.

"I do not know whether Thou wilt be able to hear us," answered the
anxious Mentezufis.

"Ah! do ye think that I am tipsy?" cried the prince. "Have no fear.
Today all Egypt is either so mad or so stupid that most sense is found
among drinkers."

The priests frowned, but Mentezufis began,

"Thou knowest, worthiness, that our lord and the supreme council
determined to disband twenty thousand mercenary warriors?"

"Well, if I do not know?" said the heir. "Ye have not deigned to ask my
advice in a question so difficult to determine, ye have not even
thought it worth while to inform me that four regiments are disbanded,
and that those men, because of hunger, are attacking our cities."

"It seems to me, worthiness, that Thou art criticizing the commands of
his holiness the pharaoh," interrupted Mentezufis.

"Not of his holiness!" cried the prince, stamping, "but of those
traitors who, taking advantage of the sickness of my father, wish to
sell Egypt to Assyrians and Libyans."

The priests were astounded. No Egyptian had ever used words of that
kind.

"Permit, prince, that we return in a couple of hours, when Thou shalt
have calmed thyself," said Mefres.

"There is no need of that. I know what is happening on our western
boundary. Or rather it is not I who know, but my cooks, stable-boys,
and laundrymen. Perhaps then ye will have the goodness, worthy fathers,
to communicate your plans to me."

Mentezufis assumed a look of indifference, and said,

"The Libyans have rebelled and are collecting bands with the intention
of attacking Egypt."

"I understand."