Ramses bustled about, gave the old man water to drink, rubbed vinegar on his temples and forehead, and fanned him.
Soon the holy Mefres recovered, rose from the chair, and said to
Mentezufis,
"May we not go now?"
"I think so."
"But what am I to do?" asked the prince, feeling that something evil had happened.
"Accomplish the duties of leader," said Mentezufis, coldly.
Both priests bowed to the prince ceremoniously, and departed. Ramses was not entirely sober, but a great weight fell on his heart. At that moment he understood that he had committed two grievous errors: He had confessed to the priests that he knew their great secret, and he had jeered, without mercy, at Mefres. He would have given a year of his life could he have blotted from their memories all that drunken conversation. But it was too late then to do so.
"It cannot be hidden," thought he. "I have betrayed myself and procured mortal enemies. The position is difficult. The struggle begins at a moment which is for me most unfavorable. But let us go on. More than one pharaoh has struggled with the priests and conquered, even without having very strong allies."
Still he felt the danger of his position so clearly that at that moment he swore by the sacred head of his father that he would never drink wine again freely. He summoned Tutmosis. The confidant appeared at once, perfectly sober.
"We have a war, and I am commander," said the viceroy.