I answered, that I trusted the words of my noble grandsire would remain prophetic forever. He then gave as a toast:--
"Phœnicia and Egypt, twin sisters of Isis, and health to their fair queens!"
This was well received. Mœris was, however, evidently deep in his cups, and soon became quarrelsome towards Remeses, to whom he said, with a sneer--
"You and I, prince, when the queen, my aunt, has departed to the shades of the realm of Osiris, will divide Egypt between us. I will be content with the Thebaïd country, and will defend your borders on that side. Two crowns are too much for one man's head, albeit you have a large one upon your shoulders!"
"Prince Mœris," said Remeses, with a look of indignation, "forget not yourself in my mother's palace!"
Thus speaking, the son of Amense rose from the table, and I followed him to the portico which overlooked the gardens.
"That man, Sesostris," said he to me, after a moment's silence, "would not hesitate to conspire to the whole throne and both crowns of Egypt, if he were hopeful of success."
"And heart! But he must not be incensed. He is powerful, and as wicked as powerful. In a few days he will be on his way to Upper Egypt; and in this war with Ethiopia, will find an outlet for his restless ambition."
"Suppose (the gods guarding your gracious mother, the queen) you should come to the throne; what, Remeses, would you do with or for your cousin, your father's nephew? Would you suffer so dangerous a man to hold the viceroyalty of Upper Nile?"
"I should wear both crowns, Sesostris," answered Remeses, quietly and steadily.
While we were thus conversing, a Hebrew page came, and said:
"My lord prince, her majesty is taken ill, and desires to have you come to her."
"My mother ill!" he exclaimed, with deadly pallor covering his face. "Pardon me, prince, I must leave you and go to her." And in a moment he hastened to the wing of the palace occupied by his mother and the ladies of her retinue.
The queen had left the table some time before Prince Mœris began to converse with me, excusing herself on the plea of slight fatigue and indisposition; for she had passed an hour that day in giving directions to the chief architect, to whom was intrusted the erection of her obelisk, outside of the gate of the Temple of the Sun. Remeses had been gone but a few moments, when I beheld Prince Mœris borne across the terrace by his servants to his chariot, in a state of helpless intoxication.