"It is not fit that you should kneel to me." "Nay, it is most fit that Pharaoh's Queen should kneel to Pharaoh when she seeks his divine favour." Yet she rose, and, seating herself in a chair that had been brought, spoke thus: "O Pharaoh, last night I dreamed a dream.

I dreamed of the Count Rames, son of Mermes, the last of that royal race which ruled before our House in Egypt.

I mean that man who slew the Prince of Kesh in this very hall, and whom, my Father being sick, I sent to Napata, to be judged by the King of Kesh, but who, it seems, overthrew that king and took his kingdom in the name of Egypt.
"I dreamed that this bold and able man, not satisfied with the rich kingdom of Kesh, has made a scheme to attack Egypt; to slay you, most glorious Lord, to proclaim himself Pharaoh by right of ancient blood, and more--to take me, your faithful wife, to be his wife, and thereby secure his throne." "Without doubt, Queen, this turbulent Rames might think of such things," said Abi, "and so far your dream may be true; yet it should be remembered that at present he is at Napata, which is a very long way off, and has probably only a small army at his command, so why should you trouble about what he thinks ?" "O Pharaoh, that was not all my dream, for in it I saw two pictures.

The first was of this bold Rames attacking Thebes, and conquering it, yes, and dragging me away to be his wife over your very corpse, O Pharaoh.
The second was of you and your army meeting him at the Gate of the South Land, and slaying him, and taking possession of the kingdom of Kesh, and its golden city, and ruling them for Egypt, until you die." "Here be two dreams, O Queen," said Abi.

"Tell us now, which would you follow, for both of them cannot be right ?" "How can I know, Pharaoh, and how can you know?
Yet by your side stands one who will know, for he is the first of magicians, and a chosen interpreter of the heart of the gods.