The prince trembled, he grew pale and crimson, when he read the gracious letter of his lord and ruler. He was so moved that he did not notice his adjutant's new immense wig, which gave out fifteen different perfumes, he did not see his tunic and mantle, more delicate than mist, nor his sandals with gold rings as ornaments.
After some time Ramses recovered, and inquired without looking at
Tutmosis,
"Why hast Thou not been here for such a period? Did the disfavor into which I have fallen alarm thee?"
"Gods!" cried the exquisite. "When wert Thou in disfavor, and in whose? Every courier of his holiness inquired for thy health; the worthy lady, Nikotris, and his worthiness Herhor have sailed toward this villa repeatedly, thinking that Thou wouldst make a hundred steps toward them after they had made a couple of thousand toward thee. I say nothing of the troops. In time of review the warriors of thy regiments are as silent as palm-trees, and do not go from the barracks. As to the worthy Patrokles, he drinks and curses all day from vexation."
So the prince had not been in disfavor, or if he had been the disfavor was ended. This thought acted on Ramses like a goblet of good wine. He took a bath quickly, anointed his body, put on fresh linen, a new kaftan, a helmet with plumes, and then went to Sarah.
Sarah screamed when she saw the prince arrayed thus. She rose up, and seizing him around the neck, whispered,
"Thou art going, my lord! Thou wilt not come back to me."
"Why not?" wondered the heir. "Have I not gone away often and returned afterward?"
"I remember thee dressed in just this way over there in our valley," said Sarah. "Oh, where are those hours! So quickly have they passed, and so long is it since they vanished."
"But I will return and bring the most famous physician."