other, Nikotris, who was the second wife of the pharaoh, but
now the greatest lady in Egypt. The gods were not mistaken when they
called her to be the mother of a pharaoh. She was a tall person, of
rather full habit, and in spite of forty years was still beautiful.
There was in her eyes, face, and whole form such majesty that even when
she went unattended, in the modest garb of a priestess, people bowed
their heads to her.

The worthy lady received Ramses in her cabinet, which was paved with
porcelain tiles. She sat on an inlaid armchair under a palm-tree. At
her feet, on a small stool, lay a little dog; on the other side knelt a
black slave woman with a fan. The pharaoh's wife wore a muslin robe
embroidered with gold, and on her wig a circlet in the form of a lotus,
ornamented with jewels.

When the prince had bowed low, the little dog sniffed him, then lay
down again; while the lady, nodding her head, made inquiry, "For what
reason, O Ramses, hast Thou desired an interview?"

"Two days ago, mother."

"I knew that Thou wert occupied. But today we both have time, and I can
listen."

"Thy speech, mother, acts on me as a strong wind of the desert, and I
have no longer courage to present my petition."

"Then surely it is a question of money."

Ramses dropped his head; he was confused.

"But dost Thou need much money?"

"Fifteen talents."

"O gods!" cried the lady, "but a couple of days ago ten talents were
paid thee from the treasury. Go, girl, into the garden; Thou must be
tired," said she to the black slave; and when alone with her son she
asked,

"But is thy Jewess so demanding?"

Ramses blushed, but raised his head.

"Thou knowest, mother, that she is not. But I promised a reward to the
army, and I am unable to pay it."

The queen looked at him with calm loftiness.

"How evil it is," said she, after a while, "when a son makes decisions
without consulting his mother. Just now I, remembering thy age, wished
to give thee a Phoenician slave maiden sent me by Tyre with ten talents
for dowry. But Thou hast preferred a Jewess."

"She pleased me. There is not such a beauty among thy serving maidens,
mother, nor even among the wives of his holiness."

"But she is a Jewess!"

"Be not prejudiced, mother, I beg of thee. It is untrue that Jews eat
pork and kill cats."

The worthy lady laughed.

"Thou art speaking like some boy from a primary school," answered she,
shrugging her shoulders, "and hast forgo