"By the shade of my father, I will not."
"Hear me," said the queen in a low voice; "I have been almost a mother to thee. Wert Thou to betray this secret the gods would punish thee. No they would only cast on thy head a part of those misfortunes which are hanging over my family."
Tutmosis listened with astonishment.
"Is she mad?" thought he with fear.
"Look at that window," continued the queen; "look at that tree. Dost
Thou know whom I saw last night on that tree outside the window?"
"Could the brother of his holiness have come to Thebes?"
"It was not he," whispered she, sobbing. "It was my Ramses himself."
"On the tree? Last night?"
"Yes. The light of the lamp fell on his face and figure perfectly. He had a coat in white and blue stripes, his eyes were wandering he laughed wildly, like his unfortunate brother, and said, 'Look at me, mother, I am able to fly now, a thing that neither Seti, nor Ramses the Great, nor Cheops could do. See what wings are growing out on me!' He stretched his hands toward me, and I, unconscious from sorrow, touched his hands through the window and his face, covered with cold perspiration. At last he slipped down the tree and vanished."
Tutmosis listened in terror. All at once he struck his forehead.