"Rameses! And an hour
ago I talked with him--so strong, so resolute, so full of life--O Holy
Isis!"
"It is a pestilence sent by Mesu. The whole city is afflicted. Ptah
shield us!"
The hangings that covered the entrance to each suite of chambers had
been thrown aside and the interiors were vacant. But the farther end
of the hall was filled with terrified courtiers in all attitudes and
degrees of extravagant demonstration of grief. Men and women were
fallen here and there on the pavement or supporting themselves by
pillar and wall, wailing, tearing their hair, wounding their faces,
rending their garments.
All the dwellers of the palace were flocked about the apartments of
Rameses. From the entrance into these chambers issued sounds of the
wildest nature. Masanath heard and attempted to draw away from the
fan-bearer.
"Take me not into that awful place!" she pleaded. "How canst thou
force me, my father!"
But Har-hat did not seem to hear and pushed his way, still dragging her
through the crush of shaking attendants that crowded into the outer
chambers.
The sleeping-room of the heir was the focal spot of violent sorrow.
The royal pair, the king's ministers, the immediate companions of
Rameses, the high priest from the Rameside temple to Set at Tanis and a
corps of leeches were present.
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