A ROMANCE OF ANCIENT EGYPT

FROM THE HISTORICAL ROMANCES OF GEORG EBERS

By Georg Ebers

Translated from the German by Clara Bell

 DEDICATION. 

 Thou knowest well from what this book arose. When suffering seized and held me in its clasp Thy fostering hand released me from its grasp, And from amid the thorns there bloomed a rose. Air, dew, and sunshine were bestowed by Thee, And Thine it is; without these lines from me. 

PREFACE. 

In the winter of 1873 I spent some weeks in one of the tombs of theNecropolis of Thebes in order to study the monuments of that solemn cityof the dead; and during my long rides in the silent desert the germ wasdeveloped whence this book has since grown. The leisure of mind and bodyrequired to write it was given me through a long but not disabling illness. 

In the first instance I intended to elucidate this story--like my"Egyptian Princess"--with numerous and extensive notes placed at theend; but I was led to give up this plan from finding that it would leadme to the repetition of much that I had written in the notes to thatearlier work. 

The numerous notes to the former novel had a threefold purpose. In thefirst place they served to explain the text; in the second they werea guarantee of the care with which I had striven to depict thearchaeological details in all their individuality from the records ofthe monuments and of Classic Authors; and thirdly I hoped to supply thereader who desired further knowledge of the period with some guide tohis studies. 

In the present work I shall venture to content myself with the simplestatement that I have introduced nothing as proper to Egypt and to theperiod of Rameses that cannot be proved by some authority; the numerousmonuments which have descended to us from the time of the Rameses, in fact enable the enquirer to understand much of the aspect andarrangement of Egyptian life, and to follow it step try step throughthe details of religious, public, and private life, even of particularindividuals. The same remark cannot be made in regard to their mentallife, and here many an anachronism will slip in, many things will appearmodern, and show the coloring of the Christian mode of thought. 

Every part of this book is intelligible without the aid of notes; but, for the reader who seeks for further enlightenment, I have added somefoot-notes, and have not neglected to mention such works as afford moredetailed information on the subjects mentioned in the narrative. 

The reader who wishes to follow the mind of the author in this workshould not trouble himself with the notes as he reads, but merely atthe beginning of each chapter read over the notes which belong to theforegoing one. Every glance at the foot-notes must necessarily disturband injure the development of the tale as a work of art. The storystands here as it flowed from one fount, and was supplied with notesonly after its completion. 

A narrative of Herodotus combined with the Epos of Pentaur, of whichso many copies have been handed down to us, forms the foundation of thestory. 

The treason of the Regent related by the Father of history is referableperhaps to the reign of the third and not of the second Rameses. But itis by no means certain that the Halicarnassian writer was in this casemisinformed; and in this fiction no history will be inculcated, onlyas a background shall I offer a sketch of the time of Sesostris, froma picturesque point of view, but with the nearest possible approach totruth. It is true that to this end nothing has been neglected that couldbe learnt from the monuments or the papyri; still the book is only aromance, a poetic fiction, in which I wish all the facts derived fromhistory and all the costume drawn from the monuments to be regarded asincidental, and the emotions of the actors in the story as what I attachimportance to. 

But I must be allowed to make one observation. From studying theconventional mode of execution of ancient Egyptian art--which wasstrictly subject to the hieratic laws of type and proportion--we haveaccustomed ourselves to imagine the inhabitants of the Nile-valley inthe time of the Pharaohs as tall and haggard men with little distinctionof individual physiognomy, and recently a great painter has sought torepresent them under this aspect in a modern picture. This is an error;the Egyptians, in spite of their aversion to foreigners and their strongattachment to their native soil, were one of the most intellectual andactive people of antiquity; and he who would represent them as theylived, and to that end copies the forms which remain painted on thewalls of the temples and sepulchres, is the accomplice of those priestlycorrupters of art who compelled the painters and sculptors of thePharaonic era to abandon truth to nature in favor of their sacred lawsof proportion. 

He who desires to paint the ancient Egyptians with truth and fidelity, must regard it in some sort as an act of enfranchisement; that is tosay, he must release the conventional forms from those fetters whichwere peculiar to their art and altogether foreign to their real life. Indeed, works of sculpture remain to us of the time of the firstpyramid, which represent men with the truth of nature, unfettered by thesacred canon. We can recall the so-called "Village Judge" of Bulaq, the"Scribe" now in Paris, and a few figures in bronze in different museums, as well as the noble and characteristic busts of all epochs, which amplyprove how great the variety of individual physiognomy, and, with that, of individual character was among the Egyptians. Alma Tadelna inLondon and Gustav Richter in Berlin have, as painters, treated Egyptiansubjects in a manner which the poet recognizes and accepts with delight. 

Many earlier witnesses than the late writer Flavius Vopiscus might bereferred to who show us the Egyptians as an industrious and peacefulpeople, passionately devoted it is true to all that pertains to theother world, but also enjoying the gifts of life to the fullest extent, nay sometimes to excess. 

Real men, such as we see around us in actual life, not silhouettesconstructed to the old priestly scale such as the monuments showus--real living men dwelt by the old Nile-stream; and the poet who wouldrepresent them must courageously seize on types out of the daily lifeof modern men that surround him, without fear of deviating too far fromreality, and, placing them in their own long past time, color them onlyand clothe them to correspond with it. 

I have discussed the authorities for the conception of love which I haveascribed to the ancients in the preface to the second edition of "AnEgyptian Princess. "

With these lines I send Uarda into the world; and in them I add mythanks to those dear friends in whose beautiful home, embowered ingreen, bird-haunted woods, I have so often refreshed my spirit andrecovered my strength, where I now write the last words of this book. 

 Rheinbollerhutte, September 22, 1876. GEORG EBERS. 

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH GERMAN EDITION. 

The earlier editions of "Uarda" were published in such rapid succession, that no extensive changes in the stereotyped text could be made; butfrom the first issue, I have not ceased to correct it, and can nowpresent to the public this new fifth edition as a "revised" one. 

Having felt a constantly increasing affection for "Uarda" during thetime I was writing, the friendly and comprehensive attention bestowedupon it by our greatest critics and the favorable reception it met within the various classes of society, afforded me the utmost pleasure. 

I owe the most sincere gratitude to the honored gentlemen, who calledmy attention to certain errors, and among them will name particularlyProfessor Paul Ascherson of Berlin, and Dr. C. Rohrbach of Gotha. Bothwill find their remarks regarding mistakes in the geographical locationof plants, heeded in this new edition. 

The notes, after mature deliberation, have been placed at the foot ofthe pages instead of at the end of the book. 

So many criticisms concerning the title "Uarda" have recently reachedmy ears, that, rather by way of explanation than apology, I will hererepeat what I said in the preface to the third edition. 

This title has its own history, and the more difficult it would be forme to defend it, the more ready I am to allow an advocate to speak forme, an advocate who bears a name no less distinguished than that of G. E. Lessing, who says:

"Nanine? (by Voltaire, 1749). What sort of title is that? What thoughtsdoes it awake? Neither more nor less than a title should arouse. A titlemust not be a bill of fare. The less it betrays of the contents, thebetter it is. Author and spectator are both satisfied, and the ancientsrarely gave their comedies anything but insignificant names. "

This may be the case with "Uarda, " whose character is less prominentthan some others, it is true, but whose sorrows direct the destinies ofmy other heroes and heroines. 

Why should I conceal the fact? The character of "Uarda" and the presentstory have grown out of the memory of a Fellah girl, half child, halfmaiden, whom I saw suffer and die in a hut at Abu el Qurnah in theNecropolis of Thebes. 

I still persist in the conviction I have so frequently expressed, theconviction that the fundamental traits of the life of the soul haveundergone very trivial modifications among civilized nations in alltimes and ages, but will endeavor to explain the contrary opinion, heldby my opponents, by calling attention to the circumstance, thatthe expression of these emotions show considerable variations amongdifferent peoples, and at different epochs. I believe that Juvenal, oneof the ancient writers who best understood human nature, was right insaying:

 "Nil erit ulterius, quod nostris moribus addat Posteritas: eadem cupient facientque minores. "

Leipsic, October 15th, 1877. 

U A R D A. 

CHAPTER 1. 

By the walls of Thebes--the old city of a hundred gates--the Nilespreads to a broad river; the heights, which follow the stream on bothsides, here take a more decided outline; solitary, almost cone-shapedpeaks stand out sharply from the level background of the many-colored. Limestone hills, on which no palm-tree flourishes and in which no humbledesert-plant can strike root. Rocky crevasses and gorges cut more orless deeply into the mountain range, and up to its ridge extends thedesert, destructive of all life, with sand and stones, with rocky cliffsand reef-like, desert hills. 

Behind the eastern range the desert spreads to the Red Sea; behind thewestern it stretches without limit, into infinity. In the belief of theEgyptians beyond it lay the region of the dead. 

Between these two ranges of hills, which serve as walls or ramparts tokeep back the desert-sand, flows the fresh and bounteous Nile, bestowingblessing and abundance; at once the father and the cradle of millions ofbeings. On each shore spreads the wide plain of black and fruitful soil, and in the depths many-shaped creatures, in coats of mail or scales, swarm and find subsistence. 

The lotos floats on the mirror of the waters, and among the papyrusreeds by the shore water-fowl innumerable build their nests. Between theriver and the mountain-range lie fields, which after the seed-time areof a shining blue-green, and towards the time of harvest glow like gold. Near the brooks and water-wheels here and there stands a shady sycamore;and date-palms, carefully tended, group themselves in groves. Thefruitful plain, watered and manured every year by the inundation, liesat the foot of the sandy desert-hills behind it, and stands out like agarden flower-bed from the gravel-path. 

In the fourteenth century before Christ--for to so remote a date we mustdirect the thoughts of the reader--impassable limits had been set by thehand of man, in many places in Thebes, to the inroads of the water; highdykes of stone and embankments protected the streets and squares, thetemples and the palaces, from the overflow. 

Canals that could be tightly closed up led from the dykes to the landwithin, and smaller branch-cuttings to the gardens of Thebes. 

On the right, the eastern bank of the Nile, rose the buildings ofthe far-famed residence of the Pharaohs. Close by the river stood theimmense and gaudy Temples of the city of Amon; behind these and at ashort distance from the Eastern hills--indeed at their very foot andpartly even on the soil of the desert--were the palaces of the King andnobles, and the shady streets in which the high narrow houses of thecitizens stood in close rows. 

Life was gay and busy in the streets of the capital of the Pharaohs. 

The western shore of the Nile showed a quite different scene. Here toothere was no lack of stately buildings or thronging men; but while onthe farther side of the river there was a compact mass of houses, andthe citizens went cheerfully and openly about their day's work, on thisside there were solitary splendid structures, round which little housesand huts seemed to cling as children cling to the protection of amother. And these buildings lay in detached groups. 

Any one climbing the hill and looking down would form the notion thatthere lay below him a number of neighboring villages, each with itslordly manor house. Looking from the plain up to the precipice of thewestern hills, hundreds of closed portals could be seen, some solitary, others closely ranged in rows; a great number of them towards the footof the slope, yet more half-way up, and a few at a considerable height. 

And even more dissimilar were the slow-moving, solemn groups in theroadways on this side, and the cheerful, confused throng yonder. There, on the eastern shore, all were in eager pursuit of labor or recreation, stirred by pleasure or by grief, active in deed and speech; here, inthe west, little was spoken, a spell seemed to check the footstep of thewanderer, a pale hand to sadden the bright glance of every eye, and tobanish the smile from every lip. 

And yet many a gaily-dressed bark stopped at the shore, there was nolack of minstrel bands, grand processions passed on to the westernheights; but the Nile boats bore the dead, the songs sung here weresongs of lamentation, and the processions consisted of mournersfollowing the sarcophagus. 

We are standing on the soil of the City of the Dead of Thebes. 

Nevertheless even here nothing is wanting for return and revival, for tothe Egyptian his dead died not. He closed his eyes, he bore him to theNecropolis, to the house of the embalmer, or Kolchytes, and then to thegrave; but he knew that the souls of the departed lived on; that thejustified absorbed into Osiris floated over the Heavens in the vesselof the Sun; that they appeared on earth in the form they choose to takeupon them, and that they might exert influence on the current of thelives of the survivors. So he took care to give a worthy interment tohis dead, above all to have the body embalmed so as to endure long: andhad fixed times to bring fresh offerings for the dead of flesh and fowl, with drink-offerings and sweet-smelling essences, and vegetables andflowers. 

Neither at the obsequies nor at the offerings might the ministers ofthe gods be absent, and the silent City of the Dead was regarded as afavored sanctuary in which to establish schools and dwellings for thelearned. 

So it came to pass that in the temples and on the site Of theNecropolis, large communities of priests dwelt together, and close tothe extensive embalming houses lived numerous Kolchytes, who handed downthe secrets of their art from father to son. 

Besides these there were other manufactories and shops. In the former, sarcophagi of stone and of wood, linen bands for enveloping mummies, andamulets for decorating them, were made; in the latter, merchants keptspices and essences, flowers, fruits, vegetables and pastry for sale. Calves, gazelles, goats, geese and other fowl, were fed on enclosedmeadow-plats, and the mourners betook themselves thither to select whatthey needed from among the beasts pronounced by the priests to be cleanfor sacrifice, and to have them sealed with the sacred seal. Many boughtonly part of a victim at the shambles--the poor could not even dothis. They bought only colored cakes in the shape of beasts, whichsymbolically took the place of the calves and geese which their meanswere unable to procure. In the handsomest shops sat servants of thepriests, who received forms written on rolls of papyrus which werefilled up in the writing room of the temple with those sacred verseswhich the departed spirit must know and repeat to ward off the evilgenius of the deep, to open the gate of the under world, and to be heldrighteous before Osiris and the forty-two assessors of the subterraneancourt of justice. 

What took place within the temples was concealed from view, for eachwas surrounded by a high enclosing wall with lofty, carefully-closedportals, which were only opened when a chorus of priests came out tosing a pious hymn, in the morning to Horus the rising god, and in theevening to Tum the descending god. 

 [The course of the Sun was compared to that of the life of Man. He rose as the child Horns, grew by midday to the hero Ra, who conquered the Uraeus snake for his diadem, and by evening was an old Man, Tum. Light had been born of darkness, hence Tum was regarded as older than Horns and the other gods of light. ]

As soon as the evening hymn of the priests was heard, the Necropolis wasdeserted, for the mourners and those who were visiting the graves wererequired by this time to return to their boats and to quit the City ofthe Dead. Crowds of men who had marched in the processions of thewest bank hastened in disorder to the shore, driven on by the body ofwatchmen who took it in turns to do this duty and to protect the gravesagainst robbers. The merchants closed their booths, the embalmers andworkmen ended their day's work and retired to their houses, the priestsreturned to the temples, and the inns were filled with guests, whohad come hither on long pilgrimages from a distance, and who preferredpassing the night in the vicinity of the dead whom they had come tovisit, to going across to the bustling noisy city farther shore. 

The voices of the singers and of the wailing women were hushed, even thesong of the sailors on the numberless ferry boats from the western shoreto Thebes died away, its faint echo was now and then borne across on theevening air, and at last all was still. 

A cloudless sky spread over the silent City of the Dead, now and thendarkened for an instant by the swiftly passing shade of a bat returningto its home in a cave or cleft of the rock after flying the wholeevening near the Nile to catch flies, to drink, and so prepare itselffor the next day's sleep. From time to time black forms with longshadows glided over the still illuminated plain--the jackals, whoat this hour frequented the shore to slake their thirst, and oftenfearlessly showed themselves in troops in the vicinity of the pens ofgeese and goats. 

It was forbidden to hunt these robbers, as they were accounted sacred tothe god Anubis, the tutelary of sepulchres; and indeed they did littlemischief, for they found abundant food in the tombs. 

 [The jackal-headed god Anubis was the son of Osiris and Nephthys, and the jackal was sacred to him. In the earliest ages even he is prominent in the nether world. He conducts the mummifying process, preserves the corpse, guards the Necropolis, and, as Hermes Psychopompos (Hermanubis), opens the way for the souls. According to Plutarch "He is the watch of the gods as the dog is the watch of men. "]

The remnants of the meat offerings from the altars were consumed bythem; to the perfect satisfaction of the devotees, who, when they foundthat by the following day the meat had disappeared, believed that it hadbeen accepted and taken away by the spirits of the underworld. 

They also did the duty of trusty watchers, for they were a dangerous foefor any intruder who, under the shadow of the night, might attempt toviolate a grave. 

Thus--on that summer evening of the year 1352 B. C. , when we invite thereader to accompany us to the Necropolis of Thebes--after the priests'hymn had died away, all was still in the City of the Dead. 

The soldiers on guard were already returning from their first round whensuddenly, on the north side of the Necropolis, a dog barked loudly; soona second took up the cry, a third, a fourth. The captain of the watchcalled to his men to halt, and, as the cry of the dogs spread and grewlouder every minute, commanded them to march towards the north. 

The little troop had reached the high dyke which divided the west bankof the Nile from a branch canal, and looked from thence over the plainas far as the river and to the north of the Necropolis. Once morethe word to "halt" was given, and as the guard perceived the glareof torches in the direction where the dogs were barking loudest, theyhurried forward and came up with the author of the disturbance nearthe Pylon of the temple erected by Seti I. , the deceased father of thereigning King Rameses II. 

 [The two pyramidal towers joined by a gateway which formed the entrance to an Egyptian temple were called the Pylon. ]

The moon was up, and her pale light flooded the stately structure, whilethe walls glowed with the ruddy smoky light of the torches which flaredin the hands of black attendants. 

A man of sturdy build, in sumptuous dress, was knocking at thebrass-covered temple door with the metal handle of a whip, so violentlythat the blows rang far and loud through the night. Near him stood alitter, and a chariot, to which were harnessed two fine horses. In thelitter sat a young woman, and in the carriage, next to the driver, wasthe tall figure of a lady. Several men of the upper classes and manyservants stood around the litter and the chariot. Few words wereexchanged; the whole attention of the strangely lighted groups seemedconcentrated on the temple-gate. The darkness concealed the featuresof individuals, but the mingled light of the moon and the torches wasenough to reveal to the gate-keeper, who looked down on the party from atower of the Pylon, that it was composed of persons of the highest rank;nay, perhaps of the royal family. 

He called aloud to the one who knocked, and asked him what was his will. 

He looked up, and in a voice so rough and imperious, that the lady inthe litter shrank in horror as its tones suddenly violated the place ofthe dead, he cried out--"How long are we to wait here for you--youdirty hound? Come down and open the door and then ask questions. Ifthe torch-light is not bright enough to show you who is waiting, I willscore our name on your shoulders with my whip, and teach you how toreceive princely visitors. "

While the porter muttered an unintelligible answer and came down thesteps within to open the door, the lady in the chariot turned to herimpatient companion and said in a pleasant but yet decided voice, "Youforget, Paaker, that you are back again in Egypt, and that here you haveto deal not with the wild Schasu, --[A Semitic race of robbers in thecast of Egypt. ]--but with friendly priests of whom we have to solicita favor. We have always had to lament your roughness, which seems tome very ill-suited to the unusual circumstances under which we approachthis sanctuary. "

Although these words were spoken in a tone rather of regret than ofblame, they wounded the sensibilities of the person addressed; his widenostrils began to twitch ominously, he clenched his right hand over thehandle of his whip, and, while he seemed to be bowing humbly, he strucksuch a heavy blow on the bare leg of a slave who was standing nearto him, an old Ethiopian, that he shuddered as if from sudden cold, though-knowing his lord only too well--he let no cry of pain escape him. Meanwhile the gate-keeper had opened the door, and with him a tall youngpriest stepped out into the open air to ask the will of the intruders. 

Paaker would have seized the opportunity of speaking, but the lady inthe chariot interposed and said:

"I am Bent-Anat, the daughter of the King, and this lady in the litteris Nefert, the wife of the noble Mena, the charioteer of my father. Wewere going in company with these gentlemen to the north-west valley ofthe Necropolis to see the new works there. You know the narrow pass inthe rocks which leads up the gorge. On the way home I myself held thereins and I had the misfortune to drive over a girl who sat by the roadwith a basket full of flowers, and to hurt her--to hurt her very badlyI am afraid. The wife of Mena with her own hands bound up the child, andthen she carried her to her father's house--he is a paraschites--[Onewho opened the bodies of the dead to prepare them for beingembalmed. ]--Pinem is his name. I know not whether he is known to you. "

"Thou hast been into his house, Princess?"

"Indeed, I was obliged, holy father, " she replied, "I know of coursethat I have defiled myself by crossing the threshold of these people, but--"

"But, " cried the wife of Mena, raising herself in her litter, "Bent-Anatcan in a day be purified by thee or by her house-priest, while she canhardly--or perhaps never--restore the child whole and sound again to theunhappy father. "

"Still, the den of a paraschites is above every thing unclean, " saidthe chamberlain Penbesa, master of the ceremonies to the princess, interrupting the wife of Mena, "and I did not conceal my opinion whenBent-Anat announced her intention of visiting the accursed hole inperson. I suggested, " he continued, turning to the priest, "that sheshould let the girl be taken home, and send a royal present to thefather. "

"And the princess?" asked the priest. 

"She acted, as she always does, on her own judgment, " replied the masterof the ceremonies. 

"And that always hits on the right course, " cried the wife of Mena. 

"Would to God it were so!" said the princess in a subdued voice. Thenshe continued, addressing the priest, "Thou knowest the will of the Godsand the hearts of men, holy father, and I myself know that I give almswillingly and help the poor even when there is none to plead for thembut their poverty. But after what has occurred here, and to theseunhappy people, it is I who come as a suppliant. "

"Thou?" said the chamberlain. 

"I, " answered the princess with decision. The priest who up to thismoment had remained a silent witness of the scene raised his right handas in blessing and spoke. 

"Thou hast done well. The Hathors fashioned thy heart and the Lady ofTruth guides it. Thou hast broken in on our night-prayers to request usto send a doctor to the injured girl?"

 [Hathor was Isis under a substantial form. She is the goddess of the pure, light heaven, and bears the Sun-disk between cow-horns on a cow's head or on a human head with cow's ears. She was named the Fair, and all the pure joys of life are in her gift. Later she was regarded as a Muse who beautifies life with enjoyment, love, song, and the dance. She appears as a good fairy by the cradle of children and decides their lot in life. She bears many names: and several, generally seven, Hathors were represented, who personified the attributes and influence of the goddess. ]

"Thou hast said. "

"I will ask the high-priest to send the best leech for outward woundsimmediately to the child. But where is the house of the paraschitesPinem? I do not know it. "

"Northwards from the terrace of Hatasu, --[A great queen of the 18thdynasty and guardian of two Pharaohs]--close to--; but I will charge oneof my attendants to conduct the leech. Besides, I want to know early inthe morning how the child is doing. --Paaker. "

The rough visitor, whom we already know, thus called upon, bowed to theearth, his arms hanging by his sides, and asked:

"What dost thou command?"

"I appoint you guide to the physician, " said the princess. "It will beeasy to the king's pioneer to find the little half-hidden house again--

 [The title here rendered pioneer was that of an officer whose duties were those at once of a scout and of a Quarter-Master General. In unknown and comparatively savage countries it was an onerous post. --Translator. ]

besides, you share my guilt, for, " she added, turning to the priest, "Iconfess that the misfortune happened because I would try with my horsesto overtake Paaker's Syrian racers, which he declared to be swifter thanthe Egyptian horses. It was a mad race. "

"And Amon be praised that it ended as it did, " exclaimed the master ofthe ceremonies. "Packer's chariot lies dashed in pieces in the valley, and his best horse is badly hurt. "

"He will see to him when he has taken the physician to the house of theparaschites, " said the princess. "Dost thou know, Penbesa--thou anxiousguardian of a thoughtless girl--that to-day for the first time I am gladthat my father is at the war in distant Satiland?"--[Asia]. 

"He would not have welcomed us kindly!" said the master of theceremonies, laughing. 

"But the leech, the leech!" cried Bent-Anat. "Packer, it is settledthen. You will conduct him, and bring us to-morrow morning news of thewounded girl. "

Paaker bowed; the princess bowed her head; the priest and hiscompanions, who meanwhile had come out of the temple and joined him, raised their hands in blessing, and the belated procession moved towardsthe Nile. 

Paaker remained alone with his two slaves; the commission with whichthe princess had charged him greatly displeased him. So long as themoonlight enabled him to distinguish the litter of Mena's wife, he gazedafter it; then he endeavored to recollect the position of the hut of theparaschites. The captain of the watch still stood with the guard at thegate of the temple. 

"Do you know the dwelling of Pinem the paraschites?" asked Paaker. 

"What do you want with him?"

"That is no concern of yours, " retorted Paaker. 

"Lout!" exclaimed the captain, "left face and forwards, my men. "

"Halt!" cried Paaker in a rage. "I am the king's chief pioneer. "

"Then you will all the more easily find the way back by which you came. March. "

The words were followed by a peal of many-voiced laughter: there-echoing insult so confounded Paaker that he dropped his whip on theground. The slave, whom a short time since he had struck with it, humblypicked it up and then followed his lord into the fore court of thetemple. Both attributed the titter, which they still could hear withoutbeing able to detect its origin, to wandering spirits. But the mockingtones had been heard too by the old gate-keeper, and the laughers werebetter known to him than to the king's pioneer; he strode with heavysteps to the door of the temple through the black shadow of the pylon, and striking blindly before him called out--

"Ah! you good-for-nothing brood of Seth. "

 [The Typhon of the Greeks. The enemy of Osiris, of truth, good and purity. Discord and strife in nature. Horns who fights against him for his father Osiris, can throw him and stun him, but never annihilate him. ]

"You gallows-birds and brood of hell--I am coming. "

The giggling ceased; a few youthful figures appeared in the moonlight, the old man pursued them panting, and, after a short chase, a troop ofyouths fled back through the temple gate. 

The door-keeper had succeeded in catching one miscreant, a boy ofthirteen, and held him so tight by the ear that his pretty head seemedto have grown in a horizontal direction from his shoulders. 

"I will take you before the school-master, you plague-of-locusts, you swarm of bats!" cried the old man out of breath. But the dozen ofschool-boys, who had availed themselves of the opportunity to break outof bounds, gathered coaxing round him, with words of repentance, thoughevery eye sparkled with delight at the fun they had had, and of which noone could deprive them; and when the biggest of them took the old man'schin, and promised to give him the wine which his mother was to send himnext day for the week's use, the porter let go his prisoner--who triedto rub the pain out of his burning ear--and cried out in harsher tonesthan before:

"You will pay me, will you, to let you off! Do you think I will let yourtricks pass? You little know this old man. I will complain to the Gods, not to the school-master; and as for your wine, youngster, I will offerit as a libation, that heaven may forgive you. "

CHAPTER II. 

The temple where, in the fore-court, Paaker was waiting, and wherethe priest had disappeared to call the leech, was called the "House ofSeti"--[It is still standing and known as the temple of Qurnah. ]--andwas one of the largest in the City of the Dead. Only that magnificentbuilding of the time of the deposed royal race of the reigning king'sgrandfather--that temple which had been founded by Thotmes III. , and whose gate-way Amenophis III. Had adorned with immense colossalstatues--[That which stands to the north is the famous musical statue, or Pillar of Memmon]--exceeded it in the extent of its plan; in everyother respect it held the pre-eminence among the sanctuaries of theNecropolis. Rameses I. Had founded it shortly after he succeeded inseizing the Egyptian throne; and his yet greater son Seti carried on theerection, in which the service of the dead for the Manes of the membersof the new royal family was conducted, and the high festivals held inhonor of the Gods of the under-world. Great sums had been expendedfor its establishment, for the maintenance of the priesthood of itssanctuary, and the support of the institutions connected with it. Thesewere intended to be equal to the great original foundations of priestlylearning at Heliopolis and Memphis; they were regulated on the samepattern, and with the object of raising the new royal residence of UpperEgypt, namely Thebes, above the capitals of Lower Egypt in regard tophilosophical distinction. 

One of the most important of these foundations was a very celebratedschool of learning. 

 [Every detail of this description of an Egyptian school is derived from sources dating from the reign of Rameses II. And his successor, Merneptah. ]

First there was the high-school, in which priests, physicians, judges, mathematicians, astronomers, grammarians, and other learned men, notonly had the benefit of instruction, but, subsequently, when they hadwon admission to the highest ranks of learning, and attained the dignityof "Scribes, " were maintained at the cost of the king, and enabled topursue their philosophical speculations and researches, in freedomfrom all care, and in the society of fellow-workers of equal birth andidentical interests. 

An extensive library, in which thousands of papyrus-rolls werepreserved, and to which a manufactory of papyrus was attached, was atthe disposal of the learned; and some of them were intrusted withthe education of the younger disciples, who had been prepared inthe elementary school, which was also dependent on the House--oruniversity--of Seti. The lower school was open to every son of a freecitizen, and was often frequented by several hundred boys, who alsofound night-quarters there. The parents were of course required eitherto pay for their maintenance, or to send due supplies of provisions forthe keep of their children at school. 

In a separate building lived the temple-boarders, a few sons of thenoblest families, who were brought up by the priests at a great expenseto their parents. 

Seti I. , the founder of this establishment, had had his own sons, notexcepting Rameses, his successor, educated here. 

The elementary schools were strictly ruled, and the rod played solarge a part in them, that a pedagogue could record this saying: "Thescholar's ears are at his back: when he is flogged then he hears. "

Those youths who wished to pass up from the lower to the high-schoolhad to undergo an examination. The student, when he had passed it, could choose a master from among the learned of the higher grades, who undertook to be his philosophical guide, and to whom he remainedattached all his life through, as a client to his patron. He couldobtain the degree of "Scribe" and qualify for public office by a secondexamination. 

Near to these schools of learning there stood also a school of art, inwhich instruction was given to students who desired to devote themselvesto architecture, sculpture, or painting; in these also the learner mightchoose his master. 

Every teacher in these institutions belonged to the priesthood of theHouse of Seti. It consisted of more than eight hundred members, dividedinto five classes, and conducted by three so-called Prophets. 

The first prophet was the high-priest of the House of Seti, and at thesame time the superior of all the thousands of upper and under servantsof the divinities which belonged to the City of the Dead of Thebes. 

The temple of Seti proper was a massive structure of limestone. A rowof Sphinxes led from the Nile to the surrounding wall, and to thefirst vast pro-pylon, which formed the entrance to a broad fore-court, enclosed on the two sides by colonnades, and beyond which stood a secondgate-way. When he had passed through this door, which stood between twotowers, in shape like truncated pyramids, the stranger came to a secondcourt resembling the first, closed at the farther end by a noble row ofpillars, which formed part of the central temple itself. 

The innermost and last was dimly lighted by a few lamps. 

Behind the temple of Seti stood large square structures of brick of theNile mud, which however had a handsome and decorative effect, as thehumble material of which they were constructed was plastered withlime, and that again was painted with colored pictures and hieroglyphicinscriptions. 

The internal arrangement of all these houses was the same. In the midstwas an open court, on to which opened the doors of the rooms of thepriests and philosophers. On each side of the court was a shady, coveredcolonnade of wood, and in the midst a tank with ornamental plants. Inthe upper story were the apartments for the scholars, and instructionwas usually given in the paved courtyard strewn with mats. 

The most imposing was the house of the chief prophets; it wasdistinguished by its waving standards and stood about a hundred pacesbehind the temple of Seti, between a well kept grove and a clearlake--the sacred tank of the temple; but they only occupied it whilefulfilling their office, while the splendid houses which they lived inwith their wives and children, lay on the other side of the river, inThebes proper. 

The untimely visit to the temple could not remain unobserved by thecolony of sages. Just as ants when a hand breaks in on their dwelling, hurry restlessly hither and thither, so an unwonted stir had agitated, not the school-boys only, but the teachers and the priests. Theycollected in groups near the outer walls, asking questions and hazardingguesses. A messenger from the king had arrived--the princess Bent-Anathad been attacked by the Kolchytes--and a wag among the school-boys whohad got out, declared that Paaker, the king's pioneer, had been broughtinto the temple by force to be made to learn to write better. As thesubject of the joke had formerly been a pupil of the House of Seti, andmany delectable stories of his errors in penmanship still survived inthe memory of the later generation of scholars, this information wasreceived with joyful applause; and it seemed to have a glimmer ofprobability, in spite of the apparent contradiction that Paaker filledone of the highest offices near the king, when a grave young priestdeclared that he had seen the pioneer in the forecourt of the temple. 

The lively discussion, the laughter and shouting of the boys at such anunwonted hour, was not unobserved by the chief priest. 

This remarkable prelate, Ameni the son of Nebket, a scion of an oldand noble family, was far more than merely the independent head ofthe temple-brotherhood, among whom he was prominent for his power andwisdom; for all the priesthood in the length and breadth of the landacknowledged his supremacy, asked his advice in difficult cases, andnever resisted the decisions in spiritual matters which emanated fromthe House of Seti--that is to say, from Ameni. He was the embodimentof the priestly idea; and if at times he made heavy--nayextraordinary--demands on individual fraternities, they were submittedto, for it was known by experience that the indirect roads which heordered them to follow all converged on one goal, namely the exaltationof the power and dignity of the hierarchy. The king appreciated thisremarkable man, and had long endeavored to attach him to the court, askeeper of the royal seal; but Ameni was not to be induced to give uphis apparently modest position; for he contemned all outward showand ostentatious titles; he ventured sometimes to oppose a decidedresistance to the measures of the Pharaoh, [Pharaoh is the Hebrew form of the Egyptian Peraa--or Phrah. "The great house, " "sublime house, " or "high gate" is the literal meaning. ]

and was not minded to give up his unlimited control of the priests forthe sake of a limited dominion over what seemed to him petty externalconcerns, in the service of a king who was only too independent and hardto influence. 

He regularly arranged his mode and habits of life in an exceptional way. 

Eight days out of ten he remained in the temple entrusted to his charge;two he devoted to his family, who lived on the other bank of the Nile;but he let no one, not even those nearest to him, know what portion ofthe ten days he gave up to recreation. He required only four hours ofsleep. This he usually took in a dark room which no sound could reach, and in the middle of the day; never at night, when the coolness andquiet seemed to add to his powers of work, and when from time to time hecould give himself up to the study of the starry heavens. 

All the ceremonials that his position required of him, the cleansing, purification, shaving, and fasting he fulfilled with painful exactitude, and the outer bespoke the inner man. 

Ameni was entering on his fiftieth year; his figure was tall, and hadescaped altogether the stoutness to which at that age the Oriental isliable. The shape of his smoothly-shaven head was symmetrical and of along oval; his forehead was neither broad nor high, but his profile wasunusually delicate, and his face striking; his lips were thin and dry, and his large and piercing eyes, though neither fiery nor brilliant, andusually cast down to the ground under his thick eyebrows, were raisedwith a full, clear, dispassionate gaze when it was necessary to see andto examine. 

The poet of the House of Seti, the young Pentaur, who knew these eyes, had celebrated them in song, and had likened them to a well-disciplinedarmy which the general allows to rest before and after the battle, sothat they may march in full strength to victory in the fight. 

The refined deliberateness of his nature had in it much that was royalas well as priestly; it was partly intrinsic and born with him, partlythe result of his own mental self-control. He had many enemies, butcalumny seldom dared to attack the high character of Amemi. 

The high-priest looked up in astonishment, as the disturbance in thecourt of the temple broke in on his studies. 

The room in which he was sitting was spacious and cool; the lower partof the walls was lined with earthenware tiles, the upper half plasteredand painted. But little was visible of the masterpieces of the artistsof the establishment, for almost everywhere they were concealed bywooden closets and shelves, in which were papyrus-rolls and wax-tablets. A large table, a couch covered with a panther's skin, a footstool infront of it, and on it a crescent-shaped support for the head, made ofivory, [A support of crescent form on which the Egyptians rested their heads. Many specimens were found in the catacombs, and similar objects are still used in Nubia]

several seats, a stand with beakers and jugs, and another with flasks ofall sizes, saucers, and boxes, composed the furniture of the room, which was lighted by three lamps, shaped like birds and filled with kikioil. --[Castor oil, which was used in the lamps. ]

Ameni wore a fine pleated robe of snow-white linen, which reached to hisankles, round his hips was a scarf adorned with fringes, which in frontformed an apron, with broad, stiffened ends which fell to his knees; awide belt of white and silver brocade confined the drapery of his robe. Round his throat and far down on his bare breast hung a necklace morethan a span deep, composed of pearls and agates, and his upper arm wascovered with broad gold bracelets. He rose from the ebony seat withlion's feet, on which he sat, and beckoned to a servant who squatted byone of the walls of the sitting-room. He rose and without any wordof command from his master, he silently and carefully placed on thehigh-priest's bare head a long and thick curled wig, [Egyptians belonging to the higher classes wore wigs on their shaven heads. Several are preserved in museums. ]

and threw a leopard-skin, with its head and claws overlaid withgold-leaf, over his shoulders. A second servant held a metal mirrorbefore Ameni, in which he cast a look as he settled the panther-skin andhead-gear. 

A third servant was handing him the crosier, the insignia of his dignityas a prelate, when a priest entered and announced the scribe Pentaur. 

Ameni nodded, and the young priest who had talked with the princessBent-Anat at the temple-gate came into the room. 

Pentaur knelt and kissed the hand of the prelate, who gave him hisblessing, and in a clear sweet voice, and rather formal and unfamiliarlanguage--as if he were reading rather than speaking, said:

"Rise, my son; your visit will save me a walk at this untimely hour, since you can inform me of what disturbs the disciples in our temple. Speak. "

"Little of consequence has occurred, holy father, " replied Pentaur. "Norwould I have disturbed thee at this hour, but that a quite unnecessarytumult has been raised by the youths; and that the princess Bent-Anatappeared in person to request the aid of a physician. The unusual hourand the retinue that followed her--"

"Is the daughter of Pharaoh sick?" asked the prelate. 

"No, father. She is well--even to wantonness, since--wishing toprove the swiftness of her horses--she ran over the daughter of theparaschites Pinem. Noble-hearted as she is, she herself carried thesorely-wounded girl to her house. "

"She entered the dwelling of the unclean. "

"Thou hast said. "

"And she now asks to be purified?"

"I thought I might venture to absolve her, father, for the puresthumanity led her to the act, which was no doubt a breach of discipline, but--"

"But, " asked the high-priest in a grave voice and he raised his eyeswhich he had hitherto on the ground. 

"But, " said the young priest, and now his eyes fell, "which can surelybe no crime. When Ra--[The Egyptian Sun-god. ]--in his golden bark sailsacross the heavens, his light falls as freely and as bountifully on thehut of the despised poor as on the Palace of the Pharaohs; and shall thetender human heart withhold its pure light--which is benevolence--fromthe wretched, only because they are base?"

"It is the poet Pentaur that speaks, " said the prelate, "and not thepriest to whom the privilege was given to be initiated into the highestgrade of the sages, and whom I call my brother and my equal. I have noadvantage over you, young man, but perishable learning, which the pasthas won for you as much as for me--nothing but certain perceptions andexperiences that offer nothing new, to the world, but teach us, indeed, that it is our part to maintain all that is ancient in living efficacyand practice. That which you promised a few weeks since, I many yearsago vowed to the Gods; to guard knowledge as the exclusive possessionof the initiated. Like fire, it serves those who know its uses to thenoblest ends, but in the hands of children--and the people, the mob, can never ripen into manhood--it is a destroying brand, raging andunextinguishable, devouring all around it, and destroying all that hasbeen built and beautified by the past. And how can we remain the Sagesand continue to develop and absorb all learning within the shelterof our temples, not only without endangering the weak, but for theirbenefit? You know and have sworn to act after that knowledge. To bindthe crowd to the faith and the institutions of the fathers is yourduty--is the duty of every priest. Times have changed, my son; under theold kings the fire, of which I spoke figuratively to you--the poet--wasenclosed in brazen walls which the people passed stupidly by. Now I seebreaches in the old fortifications; the eyes of the uninitiated havebeen sharpened, and one tells the other what he fancies he has spied, though half-blinded, through the glowing rifts. "

A slight emotion had given energy to the tones of the speaker, and whilehe held the poet spell-bound with his piercing glance he continued:

"We curse and expel any one of the initiated who enlarges thesebreaches; we punish even the friend who idly neglects to repair andclose them with beaten brass!"

"My father!" cried Pentaur, raising his head in astonishment while theblood mounted to his cheeks. The high-priest went up to him and laidboth hands on his shoulders. 

They were of equal height and of equally symmetrical build; even theoutline of their features was similar. Nevertheless no one would havetaken them to be even distantly related; their countenances were soinfinitely unlike in expression. 

On the face of one were stamped a strong will and the power of firmlyguiding his life and commanding himself; on the other, an amiable desireto overlook the faults and defects of the world, and to contemplate lifeas it painted itself in the transfiguring magic-mirror of his poet'ssoul. Frankness and enjoyment spoke in his sparkling eye, but the subtlesmile on his lips when he was engaged in a discussion, or when his soulwas stirred, betrayed that Pentaur, far from childlike carelessness, hadfought many a severe mental battle, and had tasted the dark waters ofdoubt. 

At this moment mingled feelings were struggling in his soul. He felt asif he must withstand the speaker; and yet the powerful presence of theother exercised so strong an influence over his mind, long trained tosubmission, that he was silent, and a pious thrill passed through himwhen Ameni's hands were laid on his shoulders. 

"I blame you, " said the high-priest, while he firmly held the young man, "nay, to my sorrow I must chastise you; and yet, " he said, stepping backand taking his right hand, "I rejoice in the necessity, for I love youand honor you, as one whom the Unnameable has blessed with high giftsand destined to great things. Man leaves a weed to grow unheeded orroots it up but you are a noble tree, and I am like the gardener whohas forgotten to provide it with a prop, and who is now thankful tohave detected a bend that reminds him of his neglect. You look at meenquiringly, and I can see in your eyes that I seem to you a severejudge. Of what are you accused? You have suffered an institution ofthe past to be set aside. It does not matter--so the short-sighted andheedless think; but I say to you, you have doubly transgressed, becausethe wrong-doer was the king's daughter, whom all look up to, great andsmall, and whose actions may serve as an example to the people. On whomthen must a breach of the ancient institutions lie with the darkeststain if not on the highest in rank? In a few days it will be said theparaschites are men even as we are, and the old law to avoid them asunclean is folly. And will the reflections of the people, think you, endthere, when it is so easy for them to say that he who errs in one pointmay as well fail in all? In questions of faith, my son, nothing isinsignificant. If we open one tower to the enemy he is master of thewhole fortress. In these unsettled times our sacred lore is like achariot on the declivity of a precipice, and under the wheels thereof astone. A child takes away the stone, and the chariot rolls down into theabyss and is dashed to pieces. Imagine the princess to be that child, and the stone a loaf that she would fain give to feed a beggar. Wouldyou then give it to her if your father and your mother and all that isdear and precious to you were in the chariot? Answer not! the princesswill visit the paraschites again to-morrow. You must await her in theman's hut, and there inform her that she has transgressed and must craveto be purified by us. For this time you are excused from any furtherpunishment. 

"Heaven has bestowed on you a gifted soul. Strive for that which iswanting to you--the strength to subdue, to crush for One--and you knowthat One--all things else--even the misguiding voice of your heart, thetreacherous voice of your judgment. --But stay! send leeches to the houseof the paraschites, and desire them to treat the injured girl as thoughshe were the queen herself. Who knows where the man dwells?"

"The princess, " replied Pentaur, "has left Paaker, the king's pioneer, behind in the temple to conduct the leeches to the house of Pinem. "

The grave high-priest smiled and said. "Paaker! to attend the daughterof a paraschites. "

Pentaur half beseechingly and half in fun raised his eyes which he hadkept cast down. "And Pentaur, " he murmured, "the gardener's son! who isto refuse absolution to the king's daughter!"

"Pentaur, the minister of the Gods--Pentaur, the priest--has not to dowith the daughter of the king, but with the transgressor of the sacredinstitutions, " replied Ameni gravely. "Let Paaker know I wish to speakwith him. "

The poet bowed low and quitted the room, the high priest muttered tohimself: "He is not yet what he should be, and speech is of no effectwith him. "

For a while he was silent, walking to and fro in meditation; then hesaid half aloud, "And the boy is destined to great things. What gifts ofthe Gods doth he lack? He has the faculty of learning--of thinking--offeeling--of winning all hearts, even mine. He keeps himself undefiledand separate--" suddenly the prelate paused and struck his hand on theback of a chair that stood by him. "I have it; he has not yet felt thefire of ambition. We will light it for his profit and our own. "

CHAPTER III. 

Pentauer hastened to execute the commands of the high-priest. He senta servant to escort Paaker, who was waiting in the forecourt, into thepresence of Ameni while he himself repaired to the physicians to impresson them the most watchful care of the unfortunate girl. 

Many proficients in the healing arts were brought up in the house ofSeti, but few used to remain after passing the examination for thedegree of Scribe. 

 [What is here stated with regard to the medical schools is principally derived from the medical writings of the Egyptians themselves, among which the "Ebers Papyrus" holds the first place, "Medical Papyrus I. " of Berlin the second, and a hieratic MS. In London which, like the first mentioned, has come down to us from the 18th dynasty, takes the third. Also see Herodotus II. 84. Diodorus I. 82. ]

The most gifted were sent to Heliopolis, where flourished, in the great"Hall of the Ancients, " the most celebrated medical faculty of the wholecountry, whence they returned to Thebes, endowed with the highesthonors in surgery, in ocular treatment, or in any other branch oftheir profession, and became physicians to the king or made a living byimparting their learning and by being called in to consult on seriouscases. 

Naturally most of the doctors lived on the east bank of the Nile, inThebes proper, and even in private houses with their families; but eachwas attached to a priestly college. 

Whoever required a physician sent for him, not to his own house, but toa temple. There a statement was required of the complaint from which thesick was suffering, and it was left to the principal medical staff ofthe sanctuary to select that of the healing art whose special knowledgeappeared to him to be suited for the treatment of the case. 

Like all priests, the physicians lived on the income which came tothem from their landed property, from the gifts of the king, thecontributions of the laity, and the share which was given them of thestate-revenues; they expected no honorarium from their patients, but therestored sick seldom neglected making a present to the sanctuary whencea physician had come to them, and it was not unusual for the priestlyleech to make the recovery of the sufferer conditional on certain giftsto be offered to the temple. 

The medical knowledge of the Egyptians was, according to everyindication, very considerable; but it was natural that physicians, whostood by the bed of sickness as "ordained servants of the Divinity, "should not be satisfied with a rational treatment of the sufferer, and should rather think that they could not dispense with the mysticaleffects of prayers and vows. 

Among the professors of medicine in the House of Seti there were menof the most different gifts and bent of mind; but Pentaur was not fora moment in doubt as to which should be entrusted with the treatmentof the girl who had been run over, and for whom he felt the greatestsympathy. 

The one he chose was the grandson of a celebrated leech, longsince dead, whose name of Nebsecht he had inherited, and a belovedschool-friend and old comrade of Pentaur. 

This young man had from his earliest years shown high and hereditarytalent for the profession to which he had devoted himself; he hadselected surgery

 [Among the six hermetic books of medicine mentioned by Clement of Alexandria, was one devoted to surgical instruments: otherwise the very badly-set fractures found in some of the mummies do little honor to the Egyptian surgeons. ]

for his special province at Heliopolis, and would certainly haveattained the dignity of teacher there if an impediment in his speech hadnot debarred him from the viva voce recitation of formulas and prayers. 

This circumstance, which was deeply lamented by his parents and tutors, was in fact, in the best opinions, an advantage to him; for it oftenhappens that apparent superiority does us damage, and that from apparentdefect springs the saving of our life. 

Thus, while the companions of Nebsecht were employed in declaiming or insinging, he, thanks to his fettered tongue, could give himself up to hisinherited and almost passionate love of observing organic life; andhis teachers indulged up to a certain point his innate spirit ofinvestigation, and derived benefit from his knowledge of the human andanimal structures, and from the dexterity of his handling. 

His deep aversion for the magical part of his profession would havebrought him heavy punishment, nay very likely would have cost himexpulsion from the craft, if he had ever given it expression in anyform. But Nebsecht's was the silent and reserved nature of the learnedman, who free from all desire of external recognition, finds a richsatisfaction in the delights of investigation; and he regarded everydemand on him to give proof of his capacity, as a vexatious butunavoidable intrusion on his unassuming but laborious and fruitfulinvestigations. 

Nebsecht was dearer and nearer to Pentaur than any other of hisassociates. 

He admired his learning and skill; and when the slightly-built surgeon, who was indefatigable in his wanderings, roved through the thicketsby the Nile, the desert, or the mountain range, the young poet-priestaccompanied him with pleasure and with great benefit to himself, for hiscompanion observed a thousand things to which without him he would haveremained for ever blind; and the objects around him, which were known tohim only by their shapes, derived connection and significance from theexplanations of the naturalist, whose intractable tongue moved freelywhen it was required to expound to his friend the peculiarities oforganic beings whose development he had been the first to detect. 

The poet was dear in the sight of Nebsecht, and he loved Pentaur, whopossessed all the gifts he lacked; manly beauty, childlike lightness ofheart, the frankest openness, artistic power, and the gift of expressingin word and song every emotion that stirred his soul. The poet was as anovice in the order in which Nebsecht was master, but quite capable ofunderstanding its most difficult points; so it happened that Nebsechtattached greater value to his judgment than to that of his owncolleagues, who showed themselves fettered by prejudice, while Pentaur'sdecision always was free and unbiassed. 

The naturalist's room lay on the ground floor, and had no living-roomsabove it, being under one of the granaries attached to the temple. Itwas as large as a public hall, and yet Pentaur, making his way towardsthe silent owner of the room, found it everywhere strewed with thickbundles of every variety of plant, with cages of palm-twigs piledfour or five high, and a number of jars, large and small, coveredwith perforated paper. Within these prisons moved all sorts of livingcreatures, from the jerboa, the lizard of the Nile, and a light-coloredspecies of owl, to numerous specimens of frogs, snakes, scorpions andbeetles. 

On the solitary table in the middle of the room, near to awriting-stand, lay bones of animals, with various sharp flints andbronze knives. 

In a corner of this room lay a mat, on which stood a wooden head-prop, indicating that the naturalist was in the habit of sleeping on it. 

When Pentaur's step was heard on the threshold of this strange abode, its owner pushed a rather large object under the table, threw a coverover it, and hid a sharp flint scalpel

 [The Egyptians seem to have preferred to use flint instruments for surgical purposes, at any rate for the opening of bodies and for circumcision. Many flint instruments have been found and preserved in museums. ]

fixed into a wooden handle, which he had just been using, in the foldsof his robe-as a school-boy might hide some forbidden game from hismaster. Then he crossed his arms, to give himself the aspect of a manwho is dreaming in harmless idleness. 

The solitary lamp, which was fixed on a high stand near his chair, sheda scanty light, which, however, sufficed to show him his trusted friendPentaur, who had disturbed Nebsecht in his prohibited occupations. Nebsecht nodded to him as he entered, and, when he had seen who it was, said:

"You need not have frightened me so!" Then he drew out from under thetable the object he had hidden--a living rabbit fastened down to aboard-and continued his interrupted observations on the body, which hehad opened and fastened back with wooden pins while the heart continuedto beat. 

He took no further notice of Pentaur, who for some time silently watchedthe investigator; then he laid his hand on his shoulder and said:

"Lock your door more carefully, when you are busy with forbiddenthings. "

"They took--they took away the bar of the door lately, " stammered thenaturalist, "when they caught me dissecting the hand of the forgerPtahmes. "--[The law sentenced forgers to lose a hand. ]

"The mummy of the poor man will find its right hand wanting, " answeredthe poet. 

"He will not want it out there. "

"Did you bury the least bit of an image in his grave?"

 [Small statuettes, placed in graves to help the dead in the work performed in the under-world. They have axes and ploughs in their hands, and seed-bags on their backs. The sixth chapter of the Book of the Dead is inscribed on nearly all. ]

"Nonsense. "

"You go very far, Nebsecht, and are not foreseeing, 'He who needlesslyhurts an innocent animal shall be served in the same way by the spiritsof the netherworld, ' says the law; but I see what you will say. You holdit lawful to put a beast to pain, when you can thereby increase thatknowledge by which you alleviate the sufferings of man, and enrich--"

"And do not you?"

A gentle smile passed over Pentaur's face; leaned over the animal andsaid:

"How curious! the little beast still lives and breathes; a man wouldhave long been dead under such treatment. His organism is perhaps of amore precious, subtle, and so more fragile nature?"

Nebsecht shrugged his shoulders. 

"Perhaps!" he said. 

"I thought you must know. "

"I--how should I?" asked the leech. "I have told you--they would noteven let me try to find out how the hand of a forger moves. "

"Consider, the scripture tells us the passage of the soul depends on thepreservation of the body. "

Nebsecht looked up with his cunning little eyes and shrugging hisshoulders, said:

"Then no doubt it is so: however these things do not concern me. Dowhat you like with the souls of men; I seek to know something of theirbodies, and patch them when they are damaged as well as may be. "

"Nay-Toth be praised, at least you need not deny that you are master inthat art. "

 [Toth is the god of the learned and of physicians. The Ibis was sacred to him, and he was usually represented as Ibis-headed. Ra created him "a beautiful light to show the name of his evil enemy. " Originally the Dfoon-god, he became the lord of time and measure. He is the weigher, the philosopher among the gods, the lord of writing, of art and of learning. The Greeks called him Hermes Trismegistus, i. E. Threefold or "very great" which was, in fact, in imitation of the Egyptians, whose name Toth or Techud signified twofold, in the same way "very great"]

"Who is master, " asked Nebsecht, "excepting God? I can do nothing, nothing at all, and guide my instruments with hardly more certainty thana sculptor condemned to work in the dark. "

"Something like the blind Resu then, " said Pentaur smiling, "whounderstood painting better than all the painters who could see. "

"In my operations there is a 'better' and a 'worse;'" said Nebsecht, "but there is nothing 'good. '"

"Then we must be satisfied with the 'better, ' and I have come to claimit, " said Pentaur. 

"Are you ill?"

"Isis be praised, I feel so well that I could uproot a palm-tree, but Iwould ask you to visit a sick girl. The princess Bent-Anat--"

"The royal family has its own physicians. "

"Let me speak! the princess Bent-Anat has run over a young girl, and thepoor child is seriously hurt. "

"Indeed, " said the student reflectively. "Is she over there in the city, or here in the Necropolis?"

"Here. She is in fact the daughter of a paraschites. "

"Of a paraschites?" exclaimed Nebsecht, once more slipping the rabbitunder the table, "then I will go. "

"You curious fellow. I believe you expect to find something strangeamong the unclean folk. "

"That is my affair; but I will go. What is the man's name?"

"Pinem. "

"There will be nothing to be done with him, " muttered the student, "however--who knows?"

With these words he rose, and opening a tightly closed flask he droppedsome strychnine on the nose and in the mouth of the rabbit, whichimmediately ceased to breathe. Then he laid it in a box and said, "I amready. "

"But you cannot go out of doors in this stained dress. "

The physician nodded assent, and took from a chest a clean robe, whichhe was about to throw on over the other! but Pentaur hindered him. "First take off your working dress, " he said laughing. "I will help you. But, by Besa, you have as many coats as an onion. "

 [Besa, the god of the toilet of the Egyptians. He was represented as a deformed pigmy. He led the women to conquest in love, and the men in war. He was probably of Arab origin. ]

Pentaur was known as a mighty laugher among his companions, and his loudvoice rung in the quiet room, when he discovered that his friend wasabout to put a third clean robe over two dirty ones, and wear no lessthan three dresses at once. 

Nebsecht laughed too, and said, "Now I know why my clothes were soheavy, and felt so intolerably hot at noon. While I get rid of mysuperfluous clothing, will you go and ask the high-priest if I haveleave to quit the temple. "

"He commissioned me to send a leech to the paraschites, and added thatthe girl was to be treated like a queen. "

"Ameni? and did he know that we have to do with a paraschites?"

"Certainly. "

"Then I shall begin to believe that broken limbs may be set withvows-aye, vows! You know I cannot go alone to the sick, because myleather tongue is unable to recite the sentences or to wring richofferings for the temple from the dying. Go, while I undress, to theprophet Gagabu and beg him to send the pastophorus Teta, who usuallyaccompanies me. "

"I would seek a young assistant rather than that blind old man. "

"Not at all. I should be glad if he would stay at home, and only let histongue creep after me like an eel or a slug. Head and heart have nothingto do with his wordy operations, and they go on like an ox treading outcorn. "

 [In Egypt, as in Palestine, beasts trod out the corn, as we learn from many pictures in the catacombs, even in the remotest ages; often with the addition of a weighted sledge, to the runners of which rollers are attached. It is now called noreg. ]

"It is true, " said Pentaur; "just lately I saw the old man singing outhis litanies by a sick-bed, and all the time quietly counting the dates, of which they had given him a whole sack-full. "

"He will be unwilling to go to the paraschites, who is poor, and hewould sooner seize the whole brood of scorpions yonder than take a pieceof bread from the hand of the unclean. Tell him to come and fetch me, and drink some wine. There stands three days' allowance; in this hotweather it dims my sight. 

"Does the paraschites live to the north or south of the Necropolis?"

"I think to the north. Paaker, the king's pioneer, will show you theway. "

"He!" exclaimed the student, laughing. "What day in the calendar isthis, then?

 [Calendars have been preserved, the completest is the papyrus Sallier IV. , which has been admirably treated by F. Chabas. Many days are noted as lucky, unlucky, etc. In the temples many Calendars of feasts have been found, the most perfect at Medinet Abu, deciphered by Dumich. ]

The child of a paraschites is to be tended like a princess, and a leechhave a noble to guide him, like the Pharaoh himself! I ought to havekept on my three robes!"

"The night is warm, " said Pentaur. 

"But Paaker has strange ways with him. Only the day before yesterday Iwas called to a poor boy whose collar bone he had simply smashed withhis stick. If I had been the princess's horse I would rather havetrodden him down than a poor little girl. "

"So would I, " said Pentaur laughing, and left the room to request Thesecond prophet Gagabu, who was also the head of the medical staff of theHouse of Seti, to send the blind pastophorus

 [The Pastophori were an order of priests to which the physicians belonged. ]

Teta, with his friend as singer of the litany. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Pentaur knew where to seek Gagabu, for he himself had been invited tothe banquet which the prophet had prepared in honor of two sages who hadlately come to the House of Seti from the university of Chennu. 

 [Chennu was situated on a bend of the Nile, not far from the Nubian frontier; it is now called Gebel Silsilch; it was in very ancient times the seat of a celebrated seminary. ]

In an open court, surrounded by gaily-painted wooden pillars, andlighted by many lamps, sat the feasting priests in two long rows oncomfortable armchairs. Before each stood a little table, and servantswere occupied in supplying them with the dishes and drinks, which werelaid out on a splendid table in the middle of the court. Joints ofgazelle, [Gazelles were tamed for domestic animals: we find them in the representations of the herds of the wealthy Egyptians and as slaughtered for food. The banquet is described from the pictures of feasts which have been found in the tombs. ]

roast geese and ducks, meat pasties, artichokes, asparagus and othervegetables, and various cakes and sweetmeats were carried to the guests, and their beakers well-filled with the choice wines of which there wasnever any lack in the lofts of the House of Seti. 

 [Cellars maintain the mean temperature of the climate, and in Egypt are hot Wine was best preserved in shady and airy lofts. ]

In the spaces between the guests stood servants with metal bowls, inwhich they might wash their hands, and towels of fine linen. 

When their hunger was appeased, the wine flowed more freely, and eachguest was decked with sweetly-smelling flowers, whose odor was supposedto add to the vivacity of the conversation. 

Many of the sharers in this feast wore long, snowwhite garments, andwere of the class of the Initiated into the mysteries of the faith, aswell as chiefs of the different orders of priests of the House of Seti. 

The second prophet, Gagabu, who was to-day charged with the conduct ofthe feast by Ameni--who on such occasions only showed himself for a fewminutes--was a short, stout man with a bald and almost spherical head. His features were those of a man of advancing years, but well-formed, and his smoothly-shaven, plump cheeks were well-rounded. His grey eyeslooked out cheerfully and observantly, but had a vivid sparkle when hewas excited and began to twitch his thick, sensual mouth. 

Close by him stood the vacant, highly-ornamented chair of thehigh-priest, and next to him sat the priests arrived from Chennu, twotall, dark-colored old men. The remainder of the company was arranged inthe order of precedency, which they held in the priests' colleges, andwhich bore no relation to their respective ages. 

But strictly as the guests were divided with reference to their rank, they mixed without distinction in the conversation. 

"We know how to value our call to Thebes, " said the elder of thestrangers from Chennu, Tuauf, whose essays were frequently used in theschools, --[Some of them are still in existence]--"for while, on onehand, it brings us into the neighborhood of the Pharaoh, where life, happiness, and safety flourish, on the other it procures us the honorof counting ourselves among your number; for, though the university ofChennu in former times was so happy as to bring up many great men, whomshe could call her own, she can no longer compare with the House ofSeti. Even Heliopolis and Memphis are behind you; and if I, my humbleself, nevertheless venture boldly among you, it is because I ascribeyour success as much to the active influence of the Divinity in yourtemple, which may promote my acquirements and achievements, as to yourgreat gifts and your industry, in which I will not be behind you. I havealready seen your high-priest Ameni--what a man! And who does not knowthy name, Gagabu, or thine, Meriapu?"

"And which of you, " asked the other new-comer, "may we greet as theauthor of the most beautiful hymn to Amon, which was ever sung in theland of the Sycamore? Which of you is Pentaur?"

"The empty chair yonder, " answered Gagabu, pointing to a seat at thelower end of the table, "is his. He is the youngest of us all, but agreat future awaits him. "

"And his songs, " added the elder of the strangers. "Without doubt, "replied the chief of the haruspices, --[One of the orders of priests inthe Egyptian hierarchy]--an old man with a large grey curly head, thatseemed too heavy for his thin neck, which stretched forward--perhapsfrom the habit of constantly watching for signs--while his prominenteyes glowed with a fanatical gleam. "Without doubt the Gods have grantedgreat gifts to our young friend, but it remains to be proved how he willuse them. I perceive a certain freedom of thought in the youth, whichpains me deeply. Although in his poems his flexible style certainlyfollows the prescribed forms, his ideas transcend all tradition; andeven in the hymns intended for the ears of the people I find turns ofthought, which might well be called treason to the mysteries which onlya few months ago he swore to keep secret. For instance he says--and wesing--and the laity hear--

 "One only art Thou, Thou Creator of beings; And Thou only makest all that is created. 

And again--

 He is one only, Alone, without equal; Dwelling alone in the holiest of holies. "

 [Hymn to Amon preserved in a papyrus roll at Bulaq, and deciphered by Grehaut and L. Stern. ]

Such passages as these ought not to be sung in public, at least in timeslike ours, when new ideas come in upon us from abroad, like the swarmsof locusts from the East. "

"Spoken to my very soul!" cried the treasurer of the temple, "Ameniinitiated this boy too early into the mysteries. "

"In my opinion, and I am his teacher, " said Gagabu, "our brotherhood maybe proud of a member who adds so brilliantly to the fame of our temple. The people hear the hymns without looking closely at the meaning of thewords. I never saw the congregation more devout, than when the beautifuland deeply-felt song of praise was sung at the feast of the stairs. "

 [A particularly solemn festival in honor of Amon-Chem, held in the temple of Medinet-Abu. ]

"Pentaur was always thy favorite, " said the former speaker. "Thouwouldst not permit in any one else many things that are allowed tohim. His hymns are nevertheless to me and to many others a dangerousperformance; and canst thou dispute the fact that we have grounds forgrave anxiety, and that things happen and circumstances grow up aroundus which hinder us, and at last may perhaps crush us, if we do not, while there is yet time, inflexibly oppose them?"

"Thou bringest sand to the desert, and sugar to sprinkle over honey, "exclaimed Gagabu, and his lips began to twitch. "Nothing is now as itought to be, and there will be a hard battle to fight; not with thesword, but with this--and this. " And the impatient man touched hisforehead and his lips. "And who is there more competent than mydisciple? There is the champion of our cause, a second cap of Hor, thatoverthrew the evil one with winged sunbeams, and you come and wouldclip his wings and blunt his claws! Alas, alas, my lords! will younever understand that a lion roars louder than a cat, and the sun shinesbrighter than an oil-lamp? Let Pentuar alone, I say; or you will do asthe man did, who, for fear of the toothache, had his sound teeth drawn. Alas, alas, in the years to come we shall have to bite deep intothe flesh, till the blood flows, if we wish to escape being eaten upourselves!"

"The enemy is not unknown to us also, " said the elder priest fromChennu, "although we, on the remote southern frontier of the kingdom, have escaped many evils that in the north have eaten into our body likea cancer. Here foreigners are now hardly looked upon at all asunclean and devilish. "--["Typhonisch, " belonging to Typhon orSeth. --Translator. ]

"Hardly?" exclaimed the chief of the haruspices; "they are invited, caressed, and honored. Like dust, when the simoon blows through thechinks of a wooden house, they crowd into the houses and temples, taintour manners and language;

 [At no period Egyptian writers use more Semitic words than during the reigns of Rameses II. And his son Mernephtah. ]

nay, on the throne of the successors of Ra sits a descendant--"

"Presumptuous man!" cried the voice of the high-priest, who at thisinstant entered the hall, "Hold your tongue, and be not so bold asto wag it against him who is our king, and wields the sceptre in thiskingdom as the Vicar of Ra. "

The speaker bowed and was silent, then he and all the company rose togreet Ameni, who bowed to them all with polite dignity, took his seat, and turning to Gagabu asked him carelessly:

"I find you all in most unpriestly excitement; what has disturbed yourequanimity?"

"We were discussing the overwhelming influx of foreigners into Egypt, and the necessity of opposing some resistance to them. "

"You will find me one of the foremost in the attempt, " replied Ameni. "We have endured much already, and news has arrived from the north, which grieves me deeply. "

"Have our troops sustained a defeat?"

"They continue to be victorious, but thousands of our countrymen havefallen victims in the fight or on the march. Rameses demands freshreinforcements. The pioneer, Paaker, has brought me a letter from ourbrethren who accompany the king, and delivered a document from himto the Regent, which contains the order to send to him fifty thousandfighting men: and as the whole of the soldier-caste and all theauxiliaries are already under arms, the bondmen of the temple, who tillour acres, are to be levied, and sent into Asia. "

A murmur of disapproval arose at these words. The chief of theharuspices stamped his foot, and Gagabu asked:

"What do you mean to do?"

"To prepare to obey the commands of the king, " answered Ameni, "and tocall the heads of the temples of the city of Anion here without delay tohold a council. Each must first in his holy of holies seek good counselof the Celestials. When we have come to a conclusion, we must next winthe Viceroy over to our side. Who yesterday assisted at his prayers?"

"It was my turn, " said the chief of the haruspices. 

"Follow me to my abode, when the meal is over. " commanded Ameni. "Butwhy is our poet missing from our circle?"

At this moment Pentaur came into the hall, and while he bowed easily andwith dignity to the company and low before Ameni, he prayed him to grantthat the pastophorus Teta should accompany the leech Nebsecht to visitthe daughter of the paraschites. 

Ameni nodded consent and exclaimed: "They must make haste. Paaker waitsfor them at the great gate, and will accompany them in my chariot. "

As soon as Pentaur had left the party of feasters, the old priest fromChennu exclaimed, as he turned to Ameni:

"Indeed, holy father, just such a one and no other had I pictured yourpoet. He is like the Sun-god, and his demeanor is that of a prince. Heis no doubt of noble birth. "

"His father is a homely gardener, " said the highpriest, "who indeedtills the land apportioned to him with industry and prudence, but isof humble birth and rough exterior. He sent Pentaur to the school at anearly age, and we have brought up the wonderfully gifted boy to be whathe now is. "

"What office does he fill here in the temple?"

"He instructs the elder pupils of the high-school in grammar andeloquence; he is also an excellent observer of the starry heavens, anda most skilled interpreter of dreams, " replied Gagabu. "But here he isagain. To whom is Paaker conducting our stammering physician and hisassistant?"

"To the daughter of the paraschites, who has been run over, " answeredPentaur. "But what a rough fellow this pioneer is. His voice hurts myears, and he spoke to our leeches as if they had been his slaves. "

"He was vexed with the commission the princess had devolved on him, "said the high-priest benevolently, "and his unamiable disposition ishardly mitigated by his real piety. "

"And yet, " said an old priest, "his brother, who left us some yearsago, and who had chosen me for his guide and teacher, was a particularlyloveable and docile youth. "

"And his father, " said Ameni, "was one of the most superior energetic, and withal subtle-minded of men. "

"Then he has derived his bad peculiarities from his mother?"

"By no means. She is a timid, amiable, soft-hearted woman. "

"But must the child always resemble its parents?" asked Pentaur. "Amongthe sons of the sacred bull, sometimes not one bears the distinguishingmark of his father. "

"And if Paaker's father were indeed an Apis, " Gagabu laughing, "according to your view the pioneer himself belongs, alas! to thepeasant's stable. "

Pentaur did not contradict him, but said with a smile:

"Since he left the school bench, where his school-fellows called him thewild ass on account of his unruliness, he has remained always the same. He was stronger than most of them, and yet they knew no greater pleasurethan putting him in a rage. "

"Children are so cruel!" said Ameni. "They judge only by appearances, and never enquire into the causes of them. The deficient are as guiltyin their eyes as the idle, and Paaker could put forward small claimsto their indulgence. I encourage freedom and merriment, " he continuedturning to the priests from Cheraw, "among our disciples, for infettering the fresh enjoyment of youth we lame our best assistant. Theexcrescences on the natural growth of boys cannot be more surely orpainlessly extirpated than in their wild games. The school-boy is theschool-boy's best tutor. "

"But Paaker, " said the priest Meriapu, "was not improved by theprovocations of his companions. Constant contests with them increasedthat roughness which now makes him the terror of his subordinates andalienates all affection. "

"He is the most unhappy of all the many youths, who were intrusted to mycare, " said Ameni, "and I believe I know why, --he never had a childlikedisposition, even when in years he was still a child, and the Gods haddenied him the heavenly gift of good humor. Youth should be modest, andhe was assertive from his childhood. He took the sport of his companionsfor earnest, and his father, who was unwise only as a tutor, encouragedhim to resistance instead of to forbearance, in the idea that he thuswould be steeled to the hard life of a Mohar. "

 [The severe duties of the Mohar are well known from the papyrus of Anastasi I. In the Brit. Mus. , which has been ably treated by F. Chabas, Voyage d'un Egyptien. ]

"I have often heard the deeds of the Mohar spoken of, " said the oldpriest from Chennu, "yet I do not exactly know what his office requiresof him. "

"He has to wander among the ignorant and insolent people of hostileprovinces, and to inform himself of the kind and number of thepopulation, to investigate the direction of the mountains, valleys, andrivers, to set forth his observations, and to deliver them to the houseof war, [Corresponding to our minister of war. A person of the highest importance even in the earliest times. ]

so that the march of the troops may be guided by them. "

"The Mohar then must be equally skilled as a warrior and as a Scribe. "

"As thou sayest; and Paaker's father was not a hero only, but at thesame time a writer, whose close and clear information depicted thecountry through which he had travelled as plainly as if it were seenfrom a mountain height. He was the first who took the title of Mohar. The king held him in such high esteem, that he was inferior to no onebut the king himself, and the minister of the house of war. "

"Was he of noble race?"

"Of one of the oldest and noblest in the country. His father was thenoble warrior Assa, " answered the haruspex, "and he therefore, after hehimself had attained the highest consideration and vast wealth, escortedhome the niece of the King Hor-em-lieb, who would have had a claim tothe throne, as well as the Regent, if the grandfather of the presentRameses had not seized it from the old family by violence. "

"Be careful of your words, " said Ameni, interrupting the rash old man. "Rameses I. Was and is the grandfather of our sovereign, and in theking's veins, from his mother's side, flows the blood of the legitimatedescendants of the Sun-god. "

"But fuller and purer in those of the Regent the haruspex ventured toretort. 

"But Rameses wears the crown, " cried Ameni, "and will continue to wearit so long as it pleases the Gods. Reflect--your hairs are grey, andseditious words are like sparks, which are borne by the wind, but which, if they fall, may set our home in a blaze. Continue your feasting, mylords; but I would request you to speak no more this evening of the kingand his new decree. You, Pentaur, fulfil my orders to-morrow morningwith energy and prudence. "

The high-priest bowed and left the feast. 

As soon as the door was shut behind him, the old priest from Chennuspoke. 

"What we have learned concerning the pioneer of the king, a man whoholds so high an office, surprises me. Does he distinguish himself by aspecial acuteness?"

"He was a steady learner, but of moderate ability. "

"Is the rank of Mohar then as high as that of a prince of the empire?"

"By no means. "

"How then is it--?"

"It is, as it is, " interrupted Gagabu. "The son of the vine-dresser hashis mouth full of grapes, and the child of the door-keeper opens thelock with words. "

"Never mind, " said an old priest who had hitherto kept silence. "Paakerearned for himself the post of Mohar, and possesses many praiseworthyqualities. He is indefatigable and faithful, quails before no danger, and has always been earnestly devout from his boyhood. When theother scholars carried their pocket-money to the fruit-sellers andconfectioners at the temple-gates, he would buy geese, and, when hismother sent him a handsome sum, young gazelles, to offer to the Gods onthe altars. No noble in the land owns a greater treasure of charms andimages of the Gods than he. To the present time he is the most pious ofmen, and the offerings for the dead, which he brings in the name of hislate father, may be said to be positively kingly. "

"We owe him gratitude for these gifts, " said the treasurer, "and thehigh honor he pays his father, even after his death, is exceptional andfar-famed. "

"He emulates him in every respect, " sneered Gagabu; "and though hedoes not resemble him in any feature, grows more and more like him. But unfortunately, it is as the goose resembles the swan, or the owlresembles the eagle. For his father's noble pride he has overbearinghaughtiness; for kindly severity, rude harshness; for dignity, conceit;for perseverance, obstinacy. Devout he is, and we profit by his gifts. The treasurer may rejoice over them, and the dates off a crooked treetaste as well as those off a straight one. But if I were the Divinity Ishould prize them no higher than a hoopoe's crest; for He, who sees intothe heart of the giver-alas! what does he see! Storms and darknessare of the dominion of Seth, and in there--in there--" and the old manstruck his broad breast "all is wrath and tumult, and there is not agleam of the calm blue heaven of Ra, that shines soft and pure in thesoul of the pious; no, not a spot as large as this wheaten-cake. "

"Hast thou then sounded to the depths of his soul?" asked the haruspex. 

"As this beaker!" exclaimed Gagabu, and he touched the rim of an emptydrinking-vessel. "For fifteen years without ceasing. The man has been ofservice to us, is so still, and will continue to be. Our leeches extractsalves from bitter gall and deadly poisons; and folks like these--"

"Hatred speaks in thee, " said the haruspex, interrupting the indignantold man. 

"Hatred!" he retorted, and his lips quivered. "Hatred?" and he struckhis breast with his clenched hand. "It is true, it is no stranger tothis old heart. But open thine ears, O haruspex, and all you others tooshall hear. I recognize two sorts of hatred. The one is between manand man; that I have gagged, smothered, killed, annihilated--withwhat efforts, the Gods know. In past years I have certainly tasted itsbitterness, and served it like a wasp, which, though it knows that instinging it must die, yet uses its sting. But now I am old in years, that is in knowledge, and I know that of all the powerful impulseswhich stir our hearts, one only comes solely from Seth, one onlybelongs wholly to the Evil one and that is hatred between man and man. Covetousness may lead to industry, sensual appetites may beget noblefruit, but hatred is a devastator, and in the soul that it occupies allthat is noble grows not upwards and towards the light, but downwards tothe earth and to darkness. Everything may be forgiven by the Gods, saveonly hatred between man and man. But there is another sort of hatredthat is pleasing to the Gods, and which you must cherish if you wouldnot miss their presence in your souls; that is, hatred for all thathinders the growth of light and goodness and purity--the hatred of Horusfor Seth. The Gods would punish me if I hated Paaker whose father wasdear to me; but the spirits of darkness would possess the old heartin my breast if it were devoid of horror for the covetous and sordiddevotee, who would fain buy earthly joys of the Gods with gifts ofbeasts and wine, as men exchange an ass for a robe, in whose soulseethe dark promptings. Paaker's gifts can no more be pleasing to theCelestials than a cask of attar of roses would please thee, haruspex, inwhich scorpions, centipedes, and venomous snakes were swimming. I havelong led this man's prayers, and never have I heard him crave for noblegifts, but a thousand times for the injury of the men he hates. "

"In the holiest prayers that come down to us from the past, " said theharuspex, "the Gods are entreated to throw our enemies under our feet;and, besides, I have often heard Paaker pray fervently for the bliss ofhis parents. "

"You are a priest and one of the initiated, " cried Gagabu, "and you knownot--or will not seem to know--that by the enemies for whose overthrowwe pray, are meant only the demons of darkness and the outlandishpeoples by whom Egypt is endangered! Paaker prayed for his parents? Ay, and so will he for his children, for they will be his future as his forefathers are his past. If he had a wife, his offerings would be for hertoo, for she would be the half of his own present. "

"In spite of all this, " said the haruspex Septah, "you are too hard inyour judgment of Paaker, for although he was born under a lucky sign, the Hathors denied him all that makes youth happy. The enemy for whosedestruction he prays is Mena, the king's charioteer, and, indeed, hemust have been of superhuman magnanimity or of unmanly feebleness, if hecould have wished well to the man who robbed him of the beautiful wifewho was destined for him. "

"How could that happen?" asked the priest from Chennu. "A betrothal issacred. "

 [In the demotic papyrus preserved at Bulaq (novel by Setnau) first treated by H. Brugsch, the following words occur: "Is it not the law, which unites one to another?" Betrothed brides are mentioned, for instance on the sarcophagus of Unnefer at Bulaq. ]

"Paaker, " replied Septah, "was attached with all the strength of hisungoverned but passionate and faithful heart to his cousin Nefert, thesweetest maid in Thebes, the daughter of Katuti, his mother'ssister; and she was promised to him to wife. Then his father, whom heaccompanied on his marches, was mortally wounded in Syria. The kingstood by his death-bed, and granting his last request, invested his sonwith his rank and office: Paaker brought the mummy of his father hometo Thebes, gave him princely interment, and then before the timeof mourning was over, hastened back to Syria, where, while the kingreturned to Egypt, it was his duty to reconnoitre the new possessions. At last he could quit the scene of war with the hope of marrying Nefert. He rode his horse to death the sooner to reach the goal of his desires;but when he reached Tanis, the city of Rameses, the news met him thathis affianced cousin had been given to another, the handsomest andbravest man in Thebes--the noble Mena. The more precious a thing is thatwe hope to possess, the more we are justified in complaining of him whocontests our claim, and can win it from us. Paaker's blood must havebeen as cold as a frog's if he could have forgiven Mena instead ofhating him, and the cattle he has offered to the Gods to bring downtheir wrath on the head of the traitor may be counted by hundreds. "

"And if you accept them, knowing why they are offered, you do unwiselyand wrongly, " exclaimed Gagabu. "If I were a layman, I would take goodcare not to worship a Divinity who condescends to serve the foulesthuman fiends for a reward. But the omniscient Spirit, that rulesthe world in accordance with eternal laws, knows nothing of thesesacrifices, which only tickle the nostrils of the evil one. Thetreasurer rejoices when a beautiful spotless heifer is driven in amongour herds. But Seth rubs his red hands

 [Red was the color of Seth and Typhon. The evil one is named the Red, as for instance in the papyrus of fibers. Red-haired men were typhonic. ]

with delight that he accepts it. My friends, I have heard the vows whichPaaker has poured out over our pure altars, like hogwash that men setbefore swine. Pestilence and boils has he called down on Mena, andbarrenness and heartache on the poor sweet woman; and I really cannotblame her for preferring a battle-horse to a hippopotamus--a Mena to aPaaker. "

"Yet the Immortals must have thought his remonstrances lessunjustifiable, and have stricter views as to the inviolable nature of abetrothal than you, " said the treasurer, "for Nefert, during four yearsof married life, has passed only a few weeks with her wandering husband, and remains childless. It is hard to me to understand how you, Gagabu, who so often absolve where we condemn, can so relentlessly judge sogreat a benefactor to our temple. "

"And I fail to comprehend, " exclaimed the old man, "how you--you who sowillingly condemn, can so weakly excuse this--this--call him what youwill. "

"He is indispensable to us at this time, " said the haruspex. 

"Granted, " said Gagabu, lowering his tone. "And I think still to makeuse of him, as the high-priest has done in past years with the besteffect when dangers have threatened us; and a dirty road serves when itmakes for the goal. The Gods themselves often permit safety to come fromwhat is evil, but shall we therefore call evil good--or say the hideousis beautiful? Make use of the king's pioneer as you will, but donot, because you are indebted to him for gifts, neglect to judge himaccording to his imaginings and deeds if you would deserve your titleof the Initiated and the Enlightened. Let him bring his cattle into ourtemple and pour his gold into our treasury, but do not defile your soulswith the thought that the offerings of such a heart and such a hand arepleasing to the Divinity. Above all, " and the voice of the old man hada heart-felt impressiveness, "Above all, do not flatter the erringman--and this is what you do, with the idea that he is walking inthe right way; for your, for our first duty, O my friends, is alwaysthis--to guide the souls of those who trust in us to goodness andtruth. "

"Oh, my master!" cried Pentaur, "how tender is thy severity. "

"I have shown the hideous sores of this man's soul, " said the old man, as he rose to quit the hall. "Your praise will aggravate them, yourblame will tend to heal them. Nay, if you are not content to do yourduty, old Gagabu will come some day with his knife, and will throw thesick man down and cut out the canker. "

During this speech the haruspex had frequently shrugged his shoulders. Now he said, turning to the priests from Chennu--

"Gagabu is a foolish, hot-headed old man, and you have heard from hislips just such a sermon as the young scribes keep by them when theyenter on the duties of the care of souls. His sentiments are excellent, but he easily overlooks small things for the sake of great ones. Ameniwould tell you that ten souls, no, nor a hundred, do not matter when thesafety of the whole is in question. "

CHAPTER V. 

The night during which the Princess Bent-Anat and her followers hadknocked at the gate of the House of Seti was past. 

The fruitful freshness of the dawn gave way to the heat, which began topour down from the deep blue cloudless vault of heaven. The eye couldno longer gaze at the mighty globe of light whose rays pierced the finewhite dust which hung over the declivity of the hills that enclosed thecity of the dead on the west. The limestone rocks showed with blindingclearness, the atmosphere quivered as if heated over a flame; eachminute the shadows grew shorter and their outlines sharper. 

All the beasts which we saw peopling the Necropolis in the evening hadnow withdrawn into their lurking places; only man defied the heat of thesummer day. Undisturbed he accomplished his daily work, and only laidhis tools aside for a moment, with a sigh, when a cooling breath blewacross the overflowing stream and fanned his brow. 

The harbor or clock where those landed who crossed from eastern Thebeswas crowded with barks and boats waiting to return. 

The crews of rowers and steersmen who were attached to priestlybrotherhoods or noble houses, were enjoying a rest till the parties theyhad brought across the Nile drew towards them again in long processions. 

Under a wide-spreading sycamore a vendor of eatables, spirituous drinks, and acids for cooling the water, had set up his stall, and close to him, a crowd of boatmen, and drivers shouted and disputed as they passed thetime in eager games at morra. 

 [In Latin "micare digitis. " A game still constantly played in the south of Europe, and frequently represented by the Egyptians. The games depicted in the monuments are collected by Minutoli, in the Leipziger Illustrirte Zeitung, 1852. ]

Many sailors lay on the decks of the vessels, others on the shore; herein the thin shade of a palm tree, there in the full blaze of the sun, from those burning rays they protected themselves by spreading thecotton cloths, which served them for cloaks, over their faces. 

Between the sleepers passed bondmen and slaves, brown and black, in longfiles one behind the other, bending under the weight of heavy burdens, which had to be conveyed to their destination at the temples forsacrifice, or to the dealers in various wares. Builders dragged blocksof stone, which had come from the quarries of Chennu and Suan, [The Syene of the Greeks, non, called Assouan at the first cataract. ]

on sledges to the site of a new temple; laborers poured water under therunners, that the heavily loaded and dried wood should not take fire. 

All these working men were driven with sticks by their overseers, andsang at their labor; but the voices of the leaders sounded muffled andhoarse, though, when after their frugal meal they enjoyed an hour ofrepose, they might be heard loud enough. Their parched throats refusedto sing in the noontide of their labor. 

Thick clouds of gnats followed these tormented gangs, who with dull andspirit-broken endurance suffered alike the stings of the insects and theblows of their driver. The gnats pursued them to the very heart of theCity of the dead, where they joined themselves to the flies and wasps, which swarmed in countless crowds around the slaughter houses, cooks'shops, stalls of fried fish, and booths of meat, vegetable, honey, cakesand drinks, which were doing a brisk business in spite of the noontideheat and the oppressive atmosphere heated and filled with a mixture ofodors. 

The nearer one got to the Libyan frontier, the quieter it became, andthe silence of death reigned in the broad north-west valley, where inthe southern slope the father of the reigning king had caused his tombto be hewn, and where the stone-mason of the Pharaoh had prepared a rocktomb for him. 

A newly made road led into this rocky gorge, whose steep yellow andbrown walls seemed scorched by the sun in many blackened spots, andlooked like a ghostly array of shades that had risen from the tombs inthe night and remained there. 

At the entrance of this valley some blocks of stone formed a sort ofdoorway, and through this, indifferent to the heat of day, a small butbrilliant troop of the men was passing. 

Four slender youths as staff bearers led the procession, each clothedonly with an apron and a flowing head-cloth of gold brocade; the mid-daysun played on their smooth, moist, red-brown skins, and their supplenaked feet hardly stirred the stones on the road. 

Behind them followed an elegant, two-wheeled chariot, with two prancingbrown horses bearing tufts of red and blue feathers on their nobleheads, and seeming by the bearing of their arched necks and flowingtails to express their pride in the gorgeous housings, richlyembroidered in silver, purple, and blue and golden ornaments, which theywore--and even more in their beautiful, royal charioteer, Bent-Anat, thedaughter of Rameses, at whose lightest word they pricked their ears, andwhose little hand guided them with a scarcely perceptible touch. 

Two young men dressed like the other runners followed the chariot, andkept the rays of the sun off the face of their mistress with large fansof snow-white ostrich feathers fastened to long wands. 

By the side of Bent-Anat, so long as the road was wide enough to allowof it, was carried Nefert, the wife of Mena, in her gilt litter, borneby eight tawny bearers, who, running with a swift and equally measuredstep, did not remain far behind the trotting horses of the princess andher fan-bearers. 

Both the women, whom we now see for the first time in daylight, were ofremarkable but altogether different beauty. 

The wife of Mena had preserved the appearance of a maiden; her largealmond-shaped eyes had a dreamy surprised look out from under her longeyelashes, and her figure of hardly the middle-height had acquired alittle stoutness without losing its youthful grace. No drop of foreignblood flowed in her veins, as could be seen in the color of her skin, which was of that fresh and equal line which holds a medium betweengolden yellow and bronze brown--and which to this day is so charming inthe maidens of Abyssinia--in her straight nose, her well-formed brow, in her smooth but thick black hair, and in the fineness of her hands andfeet, which were ornamented with circles of gold. 

The maiden princess next to her had hardly reached her nineteenth year, and yet something of a womanly self-consciousness betrayed itself inher demeanor. Her stature was by almost a head taller than that ofher friend, her skin was fairer, her blue eyes kind and frank, withouttricks of glance, but clear and honest, her profile was noble butsharply cut, and resembled that of her father, as a landscape in themild and softening light of the moon resembles the same landscape in thebroad clear light of day. The scarcely perceptible aquiline of her nose, she inherited from her Semitic ancestors, [Many portraits have come down to us of Rameses: the finest is the noble statue preserved at Turin. A likeness has been detected between its profile, with its slightly aquiline nose, and that of Napoleon I. ]

as well as the slightly waving abundance of her brown hair, over whichshe wore a blue and white striped silk kerchief; its carefully-pleatedfolds were held in place by a gold ring, from which in front a hornedurarus

 [A venomous Egyptian serpent which was adopted as the symbol of sovereign power, in consequence of its swift effects for life or death. It is never wanting to the diadem of the Pharaohs. ]

raised its head crowned with a disk of rubies. From her left temple alarge tress, plaited with gold thread, hung down to her waist, the signof her royal birth. She wore a purple dress of fine, almost transparentstuff, that was confined with a gold belt and straps. Round her throatwas fastened a necklace like a collar, made of pearls and costly stones, and hanging low down on her well-formed bosom. 

Behind the princess stood her charioteer, an old officer of noble birth. 

Three litters followed the chariot of the princess, and in each sattwo officers of the court; then came a dozen of slaves ready for anyservice, and lastly a crowd of wand-bearers to drive off the idlepopulace, and of lightly-armed soldiers, who--dressed only in the apronand head-cloth--each bore a dagger-shaped sword in his girdle, an axein his right hand, and in his left; in token of his peaceful service, apalm-branch. 

Like dolphins round a ship, little girls in long shirt-shaped garmentsswarmed round the whole length of the advancing procession, bearingwater-jars on their steady heads, and at a sign from any one who wasthirsty were ready to give him a drink. With steps as light as thegazelle they often outran the horses, and nothing could be more gracefulthan the action with which the taller ones bent over with the water-jarsheld in both arms to the drinker. 

The courtiers, cooled and shaded by waving fans, and hardly perceivingthe noontide heat, conversed at their ease about indifferent matters, and the princess pitied the poor horses, who were tormented as they ran, by annoying gadflies; while the runners and soldiers, the litter-bearersand fan-bearers, the girls with their jars and the panting slaves, werecompelled to exert themselves under the rays of the mid-day sun in theservice of their masters, till their sinews threatened to crack andtheir lungs to burst their bodies. 

At a spot where the road widened, and where, to the right, lay the steepcross-valley where the last kings of the dethroned race were interred, the procession stopped at a sign from Paaker, who preceded the princess, and who drove his fiery black Syrian horses with so heavy a hand thatthe bloody foam fell from their bits. 

When the Mohar had given the reins into the hand of a servant, he sprangfrom his chariot, and after the usual form of obeisance said to theprincess:

"In this valley lies the loathsome den of the people, to whom thou, Oprincess, dost deign to do such high honor. Permit me to go forward asguide to thy party. "

"We will go on foot, " said the princess, "and leave our followers behindhere. "

Paaker bowed, Bent-Anat threw the reins to her charioteer and sprang tothe ground, the wife of Mena and the courtiers left their litters, andthe fan-bearers and chamberlains were about to accompany their mistresson foot into the little valley, when she turned round and ordered, "Remain behind, all of you. Only Paaker and Nefert need go with me. "

The princess hastened forward into the gorge, which was oppressive withthe noon-tide heat; but she moderated her steps as soon as she observedthat the frailer Nefert found it difficult to follow her. 

At a bend in the road Paaker stood still, and with him Bent-Anat andNefert. Neither of them had spoken a word during their walk. The valleywas perfectly still and deserted; on the highest pinnacles of the cliff, which rose perpendicularly to the right, sat a long row of vultures, asmotionless as if the mid-day heat had taken all strength out of theirwings. 

Paaker bowed before them as being the sacred animals of the GreatGoddess of Thebes, [She formed a triad with Anion and Chunsu under the name of Muth. The great "Sanctuary of the kingdom"--the temple of Karnak--was dedicated to them. ]

and the two women silently followed his example. 

"There, " said the Mohar, pointing to two huts close to the left cliff ofthe valley, built of bricks made of dried Nile-mud, "there, the neatest, next the cave in the rock. "

Bent-Anat went towards the solitary hovel with a beating heart; Paakerlet the ladies go first. A few steps brought them to an ill-constructedfence of canestalks, palm-branches, briars and straw, roughly throwntogether. A heart-rending cry of pain from within the hut trembled inthe air and arrested the steps of the two women. Nefert staggered andclung to her stronger companion, whose beating heart she seemed to hear. Both stood a few minutes as if spellbound, then the princess calledPaaker, and said:

"You go first into the house. "

Paaker bowed to the ground. 

"I will call the man out, " he said, "but how dare we step over histhreshold. Thou knowest such a proceeding will defile us. "

Nefert looked pleadingly at Bent-Anat, but the princess repeated hercommand. 

"Go before me; I have no fear of defilement. " The Mohar still hesitated. 

"Wilt thou provoke the Gods?--and defile thyself?" But the princess lethim say no more; she signed to Nefert, who raised her hands in horrorand aversion; so, with a shrug of her shoulders, she left her companionbehind with the Mohar, and stepped through an opening in the hedge intoa little court, where lay two brown goats; a donkey with his forelegstied together stood by, and a few hens were scattering the dust about ina vain search for food. 

Soon she stood, alone, before the door of the paraschites' hovel. No oneperceived her, but she could not take her eyes-accustomed only to scenesof order and splendor--from the gloomy but wonderfully strange picture, which riveted her attention and her sympathy. At last she went up tothe doorway, which was too low for her tall figure. Her heart shrunkpainfully within her, and she would have wished to grow smaller, and, instead of shining in splendor, to have found herself wrapped in abeggar's robe. 

Could she step into this hovel decked with gold and jewels as if inmockery?--like a tyrant who should feast at a groaning table and compelthe starving to look on at the banquet. Her delicate perception madeher feel what trenchant discord her appearance offered to all thatsurrounded her, and the discord pained her; for she could not concealfrom herself that misery and external meanness were here entitled togive the key-note and that her magnificence derived no especial grandeurfrom contrast with all these modest accessories, amid dust, gloom, andsuffering, but rather became disproportionate and hideous, like a giantamong pigmies. 

She had already gone too far to turn back, or she would willingly havedone so. The longer she gazed into the but, the more deeply she felt theimpotence of her princely power, the nothingness of the splendid giftswith which she approached it, and that she might not tread the dustyfloor of this wretched hovel but in all humility, and to crave a pardon. 

The room into which she looked was low but not very small, and obtainedfrom two cross lights a strange and unequal illumination; on one sidethe light came through the door, and on the other through an opening inthe time-worn ceiling of the room, which had never before harbored somany and such different guests. 

All attention was concentrated on a group, which was clearly lighted upfrom the doorway. 

On the dusty floor of the room cowered an old woman, with darkweather-beaten features and tangled hair that had long been grey. Herblack-blue cotton shirt was open over her withered bosom, and showed ablue star tattooed upon it. 

In her lap she supported with her hands the head of a girl, whoseslender body lay motionless on a narrow, ragged mat. The little whitefeet of the sick girl almost touched the threshold. Near to themsquatted a benevolent-looking old man, who wore only a coarse apron, andsitting all in a heap, bent forward now and then, rubbing the child'sfeet with his lean hands and muttering a few words to himself. 

The sufferer wore nothing but a short petticoat of coarse light-bluestuff. Her face, half resting on the lap of the old woman, was gracefuland regular in form, her eyes were half shut-like those of a child, whose soul is wrapped in some sweet dream-but from her finely chiselledlips there escaped from time to time a painful, almost convulsive sob. 

An abundance of soft, but disordered reddish fair hair, in which clunga few withered flowers, fell over the lap of the old woman and on tothe mat where she lay. Her cheeks were white and rosy-red, and whenthe young surgeon Nebsecht--who sat by her side, near his blind, stupidcompanion, the litany-singer--lifted the ragged cloth that had beenthrown over her bosom, which had been crushed by the chariot wheel, orwhen she lifted her slender arm, it was seen that she had the shiningfairness of those daughters of the north who not unfrequently came toThebes among the king's prisoners of war. 

The two physicians sent hither from the House of Seti sat on the leftside of the maiden on a little carpet. From time to time one or theother laid his hand over the heart of the sufferer, or listened to herbreathing, or opened his case of medicaments, and moistened the compresson her wounded breast with a white ointment. 

In a wide circle close to the wall of the room crouched several women, young and old, friends of the paraschites, who from time to time gaveexpression to their deep sympathy by a piercing cry of lamentation. Oneof them rose at regular intervals to fill the earthen bowl by the sideof the physician with fresh water. As often as the sudden coolness of afresh compress on her hot bosom startled the sick girl, she openedher eyes, but always soon to close them again for longer interval, and turned them at first in surprise, and then with gentle reverence, towards a particular spot. 

These glances had hitherto been unobserved by him to whom they weredirected. 

Leaning against the wall on the right hand side of the room, dressed inhis long, snow-white priest's robe, Pentaur stood awaiting the princess. His head-dress touched the ceiling, and the narrow streak of light, which fell through the opening in the roof, streamed on his handsomehead and his breast, while all around him was veiled in twilight gloom. 

Once more the suffering girl looked up, and her glance this time metthe eye of the young priest, who immediately raised his hand, andhalf-mechanically, in a low voice, uttered the words of blessing; andthen once more fixed his gaze on the dingy floor, and pursued his ownreflections. 

Some hours since he had come hither, obedient to the orders of Ameni, to impress on the princess that she had defiled herself by touchinga paraschites, and could only be cleansed again by the hand of thepriests. 

He had crossed the threshold of the paraschites most reluctantly, andthe thought that he, of all men, had been selected to censure a deedof the noblest humanity, and to bring her who had done it to judgment, weighed upon him as a calamity. 

In his intercourse with his friend Nebsecht, Pentaur had thrown off manyfetters, and given place to many thoughts that his master would haveheld sinful and presumptuous; but at the same time he acknowledged thesanctity of the old institutions, which were upheld by those whom he hadlearned to regard as the divinely-appointed guardians of the spiritualpossessions of God's people; nor was he wholly free from the pride ofcaste and the haughtiness which, with prudent intent, were inculcated inthe priests. He held the common man, who put forth his strength to win amaintenance for his belongings by honest bodily labor--the merchant--theartizan--the peasant, nay even the warrior, as far beneath the godlybrotherhood who strove for only spiritual ends; and most of all hescorned the idler, given up to sensual enjoyments. 

He held him unclean who had been branded by the law; and how shouldit have been otherwise? These people, who at the embalming of the deadopened the body of the deceased, had become despised for their office ofmutilating the sacred temple of the soul; but no paraschites chose hiscalling of his own free will. --[Diodorus I, 91]--It was handed down fromfather to son, and he who was born a paraschites--so he was taught--hadto expiate an old guilt with which his soul had long ago burdened itselfin a former existence, within another body, and which had deprived itof absolution in the nether world. It had passed through various animalforms, and now began a new human course in the body of a paraschites, once more to stand after death in the presence of the judges of theunder-world. 

Pentaur had crossed the threshold of the man he despised with aversion;the man himself, sitting at the feet of the suffering girl, hadexclaimed as he saw the priest approaching the hovel:

"Yet another white robe! Does misfortune cleanse the unclean?"

Pentaur had not answered the old man, who on his part took no furthernotice of him, while he rubbed the girl's feet by order of the leech;and his hands impelled by tender anxiety untiringly continued the samemovement, as the water-wheel in the Nile keeps up without intermissionits steady motion in the stream. 

"Does misfortune cleanse the unclean?" Pentaur asked himself. "Does itindeed possess a purifying efficacy, and is it possible that the Gods, who gave to fire the power of refining metals and to the winds power tosweep the clouds from the sky, should desire that a man--made in theirown image--that a man should be tainted from his birth to his death withan indelible stain?"

He looked at the face of the paraschites, and it seemed to him toresemble that of his father. 

This startled him!

And when he noticed how the woman, in whose lap the girl's headwas resting, bent over the injured bosom of the child to catch herbreathing, which she feared had come to a stand-still--with the anguishof a dove that is struck down by a hawk--he remembered a moment in hisown childhood, when he had lain trembling with fever on his little bed. What then had happened to him, or had gone on around him, he had longforgotten, but one image was deeply imprinted on his soul, that of theface of his mother bending over him in deadly anguish, but who had gazedon her sick boy not more tenderly, or more anxiously, than this despisedwoman on her suffering child. 

"There is only one utterly unselfish, utterly pure and utterly divinelove, " said he to himself, "and that is the love of Isis for Horus--thelove of a mother for her child. If these people were indeed so foul asto defile every thing they touch, how would this pure, this tender, holyimpulse show itself even in them in all its beauty and perfection?"

"Still, " he continued, "the Celestials have implanted maternal love inthe breast of the lioness, of the typhonic river-horse of the Nile. "

He looked compassionately at the wife of the paraschites. 

He saw her dark face as she turned it away from the sick girl. She hadfelt her breathe, and a smile of happiness lighted up her old features;she nodded first to the surgeon, and then with a deep sigh of relief toher husband, who, while he did not cease the movement of his left hand, held up his right hand in prayer to heaven, and his wife did the same. 

It seemed to Pentaur that he could see the souls of these two, floatingabove the youthful creature in holy union as they joined their hands;and again he thought of his parents' house, of the hour when his sweet, only sister died. His mother had thrown herself weeping on the paleform, but his father had stamped his foot and had thrown back his head, sobbing and striking his forehead with his fist. 

"How piously submissive and thankful are these unclean ones!" thoughtPentaur; and repugnance for the old laws began to take root in hisheart. "Maternal love may exist in the hyaena, but to seek and findGod pertains only to man, who has a noble aim. Up to the limits ofeternity--and God is eternal!--thought is denied to animals; they cannoteven smile. Even men cannot smile at first, for only physicallife--an animal soul--dwells in them; but soon a share of the world'ssoul--beaming intelligence--works within them, and first shows itself inthe smile of a child, which is as pure as the light and the truth fromwhich it comes. The child of the paraschites smiles like any othercreature born of woman, but how few aged men there are, even among theinitiated, who can smile as innocently and brightly as this woman whohas grown grey under open ill-treatment. "

Deep sympathy began to fill his heart, and he knelt down by the side ofthe poor child, raised her arm, and prayed fervently to that One whohad created the heavens and who rules the world--to that One, whom themysteries of faith forbade him to name; and not to the innumerable gods, whom the people worshipped, and who to him were nothing but incarnationsof the attributes of the One and only God of the initiated--of whom hewas one--who was thus brought down to the comprehension of the laity. 

He raised his soul to God in passionate emotion; but he prayed, notfor the child before him and for her recovery, but rather for thewhole despised race, and for its release from the old ban, for theenlightenment of his own soul, imprisoned in doubts, and for strength tofulfil his hard task with discretion. 

The gaze of the sufferer followed him as he took up his former position. 

The prayer had refreshed his soul and restored him to cheerfulness ofspirit. He began to reflect what conduct he must observe towards theprincess. 

He had not met Bent-Anat for the first time yesterday; on the contrary, he had frequently seen her in holiday processions, and at the highfestivals in the Necropolis, and like all his young companions hadadmired her proud beauty--admired it as the distant light of the stars, or the evening-glow on the horizon. 

Now he must approach this lady with words of reproof. 

He pictured to himself the moment when he must advance to meet her, andcould not help thinking of his little tutor Chufu, above whom he toweredby two heads while he was still a boy, and who used to call up hisadmonitions to him from below. It was true, he himself was talland slim, but he felt as if to-day he were to play the part towardsBent-Anat of the much-laughed-at little tutor. 

His sense of the comic was touched, and asserted itself at thisserious moment, and with such melancholy surroundings. Life is rich incontrasts, and a susceptible and highly-strung human soul would breakdown like a bridge under the measured tread of soldiers, if it wereallowed to let the burden of the heaviest thoughts and strongestfeelings work upon it in undisturbed monotony; but just as in musicevery key-note has its harmonies, so when we cause one chord of ourheart to vibrate for long, all sorts of strange notes respond and clang, often those which we least expect. 

Pentaur's glance flew round the one low, over-filled room of theparaschites' hut, and like a lightning flash the thought, "How will theprincess and her train find room here?" flew through his mind. 

His fancy was lively, and vividly brought before him how the daughter ofthe Pharaoh with a crown on her proud head would bustle into the silentchamber, how the chattering courtiers would follow her, and how thewomen by the walls, the physicians by the side of the sick girl, thesleek white cat from the chest where she sat, would rise and thronground her. There must be frightful confusion. Then he imagined how thesmart lords and ladies would keep themselves far from the unclean, holdtheir slender hands over their mouths and noses, and suggest to the oldfolks how they ought to behave to the princess who condescended to blessthem with her presence. The old woman must lay down the head that restedin her bosom, the paraschites must drop the feet he so anxiously rubbed, on the floor, to rise and kiss the dust before Bent-Anat. Whereupon--the"mind's eye" of the young priest seemed to see it all--the courtiersfled before him, pushing each other, and all crowded together into acorner, and at last the princess threw a few silver or gold rings intothe laps of the father and mother, and perhaps to the girl too, and heseemed to hear the courtiers all cry out: "Hail to the gracious daughterof the Sun!"--to hear the joyful exclamations of the crowd of women--tosee the gorgeous apparition leave the hut of the despised people, and then to see, instead of the lovely sick child who still breathedaudibly, a silent corpse on the crumpled mat, and in the place of thetwo tender nurses at her head and feet, two heart-broken, loud-lamentingwretches. 

Pentaur's hot spirit was full of wrath. As soon as the noisy cortegeappeared actually in sight he would place himself in the doorway, forbidthe princess to enter, and receive her with strong words. 

She could hardly come hither out of human kindness. 

"She wants variety, " said he to himself, "something new at Court; forthere is little going on there now the king tarries with the troops ina distant country; it tickles the vanity of the great to find themselvesonce in a while in contact with the small, and it is well to haveyour goodness of heart spoken of by the people. If a little misfortuneopportunely happens, it is not worth the trouble to inquire whetherthe form of our benevolence does more good or mischief to such wretchedpeople. "

He ground his teeth angrily, and thought no more of the defilement whichmight threaten Bent-Anat from the paraschites, but exclusively, onthe contrary, of the impending desecration by the princess of the holyfeelings astir in this silent room. 

Excited as he was to fanaticism, his condemning lips could not fail tofind vigorous and impressive words. 

He stood drawn to his full height and drawing his breath deeply, likea spirit of light who holds his weapon raised to annihilate a demon ofdarkness, and he looked out into the valley to perceive from afar thecry of the runners and the rattle of the wheels of the gay train heexpected. 

And he saw the doorway darkened by a lowly, bending figure, who, withfolded arms, glided into the room and sank down silently by the side ofthe sick girl. The physicians and the old people moved as if to rise;but she signed to them without opening her lips, and with moist, expressive eyes, to keep their places; she looked long and lovingly inthe face of the wounded girl, stroked her white arm, and turning to theold woman softly whispered to her

"How pretty she is!"

The paraschites' wife nodded assent, and the girl smiled and moved herlips as though she had caught the words and wished to speak. 

Bent-Anat took a rose from her hair and laid it on her bosom. 

The paraschites, who had not taken his hands from the feet of thesick child, but who had followed every movement of the princess, nowwhispered, "May Hathor requite thee, who gave thee thy beauty. "

The princess turned to him and said, "Forgive the sorrow, I have causedyou. "

The old man stood up, letting the feet of the sick girl fall, and askedin a clear loud voice:

"Art thou Bent-Anat?"

"Yes, I am, " replied the princess, bowing her head low, and in so gentlea voice, that it seemed as though she were ashamed of her proud name. 

The eyes of the old man flashed. Then he said softly but decisively:

"Leave my hut then, it will defile thee. "

"Not till you have forgiven me for that which I did unintentionally. "

"Unintentionally! I believe thee, " replied the paraschites. "The hoofsof thy horse became unclean when they trod on this white breast. Lookhere--" and he lifted the cloth from the girl's bosom, and showed herthe deep red wound, "Look here--here is the first rose you laid on mygrandchild's bosom, and the second--there it goes. "

The paraschites raised his arm to fling the flower through the door ofhis hut. But Pentaur had approached him, and with a grasp of iron heldthe old man's hand. 

"Stay, " he cried in an eager tone, moderated however for the sake of thesick girl. "The third rose, which this noble hand has offered you, yoursick heart and silly head have not even perceived. And yet you must knowit if only from your need, your longing for it. The fair blossom of purebenevolence is laid on your child's heart, and at your very feet, bythis proud princess. Not with gold, but with humility. And whoever thedaughter of Rameses approaches as her equal, bows before her, even if hewere the first prince in the Land of Egypt. Indeed, the Gods shall notforget this deed of Bent-Anat. And you--forgive, if you desire to beforgiven that guilt, which you bear as an inheritance from your fathers, and for your own sins. "

The paraschites bowed his head at these words, and when he raised itthe anger had vanished from his well-cut features. He rubbed his wrist, which had been squeezed by Pentaur's iron fingers, and said in a tonewhich betrayed all the bitterness of his feelings:

"Thy hand is hard, Priest, and thy words hit like the strokes of ahammer. This fair lady is good and loving, and I know; that she did notdrive her horse intentionally over this poor girl, who is my grandchildand not my daughter. If she were thy wife or the wife of the leechthere, or the child of the poor woman yonder, who supports life bycollecting the feet and feathers of the fowls that are slaughtered forsacrifice, I would not only forgive her, but console her for having madeherself like to me; fate would have made her a murderess without anyfault of her own, just as it stamped me as unclean while I was stillat my mother's breast. Aye--I would comfort her; and yet I am not verysensitive. Ye holy three of Thebes!--[The triad of Thebes: Anion, Muthand Chunsu. ]--how should I be? Great and small get out of my way thatI may not touch them, and every day when I have done what it is mybusiness to do they throw stones at me. 

 [The paraschites, with an Ethiopian knife, cuts the flesh of the corpse as deeply as the law requires: but instantly takes to flight, while the relatives of the deceased pursue him with stones, and curses, as if they wished to throw the blame on him. ]

"The fulfilment of duty--which brings a living to other men, which makestheir happiness, and at the same time earns them honor, brings me everyday fresh disgrace and painful sores. But I complain to no man, andmust forgive--forgive--forgive, till at last all that men do to me seemsquite natural and unavoidable, and I take it all like the scorching ofthe sun in summer, and the dust that the west wind blows into my face. It does not make me happy, but what can I do? I forgive all--"

The voice of the paraschites had softened, and Bent-Anat, who lookeddown on him with emotion, interrupted him, exclaiming with deep feeling:

"And so you will forgive me?--poor man!"

The old man looked steadily, not at her, but at Pentaur, while hereplied: "Poor man! aye, truly, poor man. You have driven me out of theworld in which you live, and so I made a world for myself in this hut. I do not belong to you, and if I forget it, you drive me out as anintruder--nay as a wolf, who breaks into your fold; but you belong justas little to me, only when you play the wolf and fall upon me, I mustbear it!"

"The princess came to your hut as a suppliant, and with the wish ofdoing you some good, " said Pentaur. 

"May the avenging Gods reckon it to her, when they visit on her thecrimes of her father against me! Perhaps it may bring me to prison, butit must come out. Seven sons were mine, and Rameses took them all fromme and sent them to death; the child of the youngest, this girl, thelight of my eyes, his daughter has brought to her death. Three of myboys the king left to die of thirst by the Tenat, [Literally the "cutting" which, under Seti I. , the father of Rameses, was the first Suez Canal; a representation of it is found on the northern outer wall of the temple of Karnak. It followed nearly the same direction as the Fresh-water canal of Lesseps, and fertilized the land of Goshen. ]

which is to join the Nile to the Red Sea, three were killed by theEthiopians, and the last, the star of my hopes, by this time is eaten bythe hyaenas of the north. "

At these words the old woman, in whose lap the head of the girl rested, broke out into a loud cry, in which she was joined by all the otherwomen. 

The sufferer started up frightened, and opened her eyes. 

"For whom are you wailing?" she asked feebly. "For your poor father, "said the old woman. 

The girl smiled like a child who detects some well-meant deceit, andsaid:

"Was not my father here, with you? He is here, in Thebes, and looked atme, and kissed me, and said that he is bringing home plunder, and thata good time is coming for you. The gold ring that he gave me I wasfastening into my dress, when the chariot passed over me. I was justpulling the knots, when all grew black before my eyes, and I saw andheard nothing more. Undo it, grandmother, the ring is for you; I meantto bring it to you. You must buy a beast for sacrifice with it, and winefor grandfather, and eye salve

 [The Egyptian mestem, that is stibium or antimony, which was introduced into Egypt by the Asiatics at a very early period and universally used. ]

for yourself, and sticks of mastic, [At the present day the Egyptian women are fond of chewing them, on account of their pleasant taste. The ancient Egyptians used various pills. Receipts for such things are found in the Ebers Papyrus. ]

which you have so long lead to do without. "

The paraschites seemed to drink these words from the mouth of hisgrandchild. Again he lifted his hand in prayer, again Pentaur observedthat his glance met that of his wife, and a large, warm tear fell fromhis old eyes on to his callous hand. Then he sank down, for he thoughtthe sick child was deluded by a dream. But there were the knots in herdress. 

With a trembling hand he untied them, and a gold ring rolled out on thefloor. 

Bent-Anat picked it up, and gave it to the paraschites. "I came here ina lucky hour, " she said, "for you have recovered your son and your childwill live. "

"She will live, " repeated the surgeon, who had remained a silent witnessof all that had occurred. 

"She will stay with us, " murmured the old man, and then said, as heapproached the princess on his knees, and looked up at her beseechinglywith tearful eyes:

"Pardon me as I pardon thee; and if a pious wish may not turn to a cursefrom the lips of the unclean, let me bless thee. "

"I thank you, " said Bent-Anat, towards whom the old man raised his handin blessing. 

Then she turned to Nebsecht, and ordered him to take anxious care ofthe sick girl; she bent over her, kissed her forehead, laid her goldbracelet by her side, and signing to Pentaur left the hut with him. 

CHAPTER VI. 

During the occurrence we have described, the king's pioneer and theyoung wife of Mena were obliged to wait for the princess. 

The sun stood in the meridian, when Bent-Anat had gone into the hovel ofthe paraschites. 

The bare limestone rocks on each side of the valley and the sandy soilbetween, shone with a vivid whiteness that hurt the eyes; not a hand'sbreadth of shade was anywhere to be seen, and the fan-beaters of thetwo, who were waiting there, had, by command of the princess, staidbehind with the chariot and litters. 

For a time they stood silently near each other, then the fair Nefertsaid, wearily closing her almond-shaped eyes:

"How long Bent-Anat stays in the but of the unclean! I am perishinghere. What shall we do?"

"Stay!" said Paaker, turning his back on the lady; and mounting a blockof stone by the side of the gorge, he cast a practised glance all round, and returned to Nefert: "I have found a shady spot, " he said, "outthere. "

Mena's wife followed with her eyes the indication of his hand, and shookher head. The gold ornaments on her head-dress rattled gently as she didso, and a cold shiver passed over her slim body in spite of the middayheat. 

"Sechet is raging in the sky, " said Paaker. 

 [A goddess with the head of a lioness or a cat, over which the Sun- disk is usually found. She was the daughter of Ra, and in the form of the Uraeus on her father's crown personified the murderous heat of the star of day. She incites man to the hot and wild passion of love, and as a cat or lioness tears burning wounds in the limbs of the guilty in the nether world; drunkenness and pleasure are her gifts She was also named Bast and Astarte after her sister-divinity among the Phoenicians. ]

"Let us avail ourselves of the shady spot, small though it be. At thishour of the day many are struck with sickness. "

"I know it, " said Nefert, covering her neck with her hand. Then she wenttowards two blocks of stone which leaned against each other, and betweenthem afforded the spot of shade, not many feet wide, which Paaker hadpointed out as a shelter from the sun. Paaker preceded her, and rolleda flat piece of limestone, inlaid by nature with nodules of flint, under the stone pavilion, crushed a few scorpions which had taken refugethere, spread his head-cloth over the hard seat, and said, "Here you aresheltered. "

Nefert sank down on the stone and watched the Mohar, who slowly andsilently paced backwards and forward in front of her. This incessant toand fro of her companion at last became unendurable to her sensitive andirritated nerves, and suddenly raising her head from her hand, on whichshe had rested it, she exclaimed

"Pray stand still. "

The pioneer obeyed instantly, and looked, as he stood with his back toher, towards the hovel of the paraschites. 

After a short time Nefert said, "Say something to me!"

The Mohar turned his full face towards her, and she was frightened atthe wild fire that glowed in the glance with which he gazed at her. 

Nefert's eyes fell, and Paaker, saying:

"I would rather remain silent, " recommenced his walk, till Nefert calledto him again and said, "I know you are angry with me; but I was but a child when I wasbetrothed to you. I liked you too, and when in our games your mothercalled me your little wife, I was really glad, and used to think howfine it would be when I might call all your possessions mine, the houseyou would have so splendidly restored for me after your father's death, the noble gardens, the fine horses in their stables, and all the maleand female slaves!"

Paaker laughed, but the laugh sounded so forced and scornful that it cutNefert to the heart, and she went on, as if begging for indulgence:

"It was said that you were angry with us; and now you will take my wordsas if I had cared only for your wealth; but I said, I liked you. Do youno longer remember how I cried with you over your tales of the badboys in the school; and over your father's severity? Then my uncledied;--then you went to Asia. "

"And you, " interrupted Paaker, hardly and drily, "you broke yourbethrothal vows, and became the wife of the charioteer Mena. I know itall; of what use is talking?"

"Because it grieves me that you should be angry, and your good motheravoid our house. If only you could know what it is when love seizes one, and one can no longer even think alone, but only near, and with, and inthe very arms of another; when one's beating heart throbs in one's verytemples, and even in one's dreams one sees nothing--but one only. "

"And do I not know it?" cried Paaker, placing himself close before herwith his arms crossed. "Do I not know it? and you it was who taught meto know it. When I thought of you, not blood, but burning fire, coursedin my veins, and now you have filled them with poison; and here in thisbreast, in which your image dwelt, as lovely as that of Hathor in herholy of holies, all is like that sea in Syria which is called theDead Sea, in which every thing that tries to live presently dies andperishes. "

Paaker's eyes rolled as he spoke, and his voice sounded hoarsely as hewent on. 

"But Mena was near to the king--nearer than I, and your mother--"

"My mother!"--Nefert interrupted the angry Mohar. "My mother did notchoose my husband. I saw him driving the chariot, and to me he resembledthe Sun God, and he observed me, and looked at me, and his glancepierced deep into my heart like a spear; and when, at the festival ofthe king's birthday, he spoke to me, it was just as if Hathor had thrownround me a web of sweet, sounding sunbeams. And it was the same withMena; he himself has told me so since I have been his wife. For yoursake my mother rejected his suit, but I grew pale and dull with longingfor him, and he lost his bright spirit, and was so melancholy that theking remarked it, and asked what weighed on his heart--for Rameses loveshim as his own son. Then Mena confessed to the Pharaoh that it was lovethat dimmed his eye and weakened his strong hand; and then the kinghimself courted me for his faithful servant, and my mother gave way, and we were made man and wife, and all the joys of the justified in thefields of Aalu

 [The fields of the blest, which were opened to glorified souls. In the Book of the Dead it is shown that in them men linger, and sow and reap by cool waters. ]

are shallow and feeble by the side of the bliss which we two haveknown--not like mortal men, but like the celestial gods. "

Up to this point Nefert had fixed her large eyes on the sky, like aglorified soul; but now her gaze fell, and she said softly--

"But the Cheta

 [An Aramaean race, according to Schrader's excellent judgment. At the time of our story the peoples of western Asia had allied themselves to them. ]

disturbed our happiness, for the king took Mena with him to the war. Fifteen times did the moon, rise upon our happiness, and then--"

"And then the Gods heard my prayer, and accepted my offerings, " saidPaaker, with a trembling voice, "and tore the robber of my joys fromyou, and scorched your heart and his with desire. Do you think you cantell me anything I do not know? Once again for fifteen days was Menayours, and now he has not returned again from the war which is raginghotly in Asia. "

"But he will return, " cried the young wife. 

"Or possibly not, " laughed Paaker. "The Cheta, carry sharp weapons, andthere are many vultures in Lebanon, who perhaps at this hour are tearinghis flesh as he tore my heart. "

Nefert rose at these words, her sensitive spirit bruised as with stonesthrown by a brutal hand, and attempted to leave her shady refuge tofollow the princess into the house of the parascllites; but her feetrefused to bear her, and she sank back trembling on her stone seat. She tried to find words, but her tongue was powerless. Her powersof resistance forsook her in her unutterable and soul-feltdistress--heart-wrung, forsaken and provoked. 

A variety of painful sensations raised a hot vehement storm inher bosom, which checked her breath, and at last found relief in apassionate and convulsive weeping that shook her whole body. She sawnothing more, she heard nothing more, she only shed tears and feltherself miserable. 

Paaker stood over her in silence. 

There are trees in the tropics, on which white blossoms hang close bythe withered fruit, there are days when the pale moon shows itself nearthe clear bright sun;--and it is given to the soul of man to feel loveand hatred, both at the same time, and to direct both to the same end. 

Nefert's tears fell as dew, her sobs as manna on the soul of Paaker, which hungered and thirsted for revenge. Her pain was joy to him, andyet the sight of her beauty filled him with passion, his gaze lingeredspell-bound on her graceful form; he would have given all the bliss ofheaven once, only once, to hold her in his arms--once, only once, tohear a word of love from her lips. 

After some minutes Nefert's tears grew less violent. With a weary, almost indifferent gaze she looked at the Mohar, still standing beforeher, and said in a soft tone of entreaty:

'My tongue is parched, fetch me a little water. "

"The princess may come out at any moment, " replied Paaker. 

"But I am fainting, " said Nefert, and began again to cry gently. 

Paaker shrugged his shoulders, and went farther into the valley, whichhe knew as well as his father's house; for in it was the tomb of hismother's ancestors, in which, as a boy, he had put up prayers at everyfull and new moon, and laid gifts on the altar. 

The hut of the paraschites was prohibited to him, but he knew thatscarcely a hundred paces from the spot where Nefert was sitting, livedan old woman of evil repute, in whose hole in the rock he could not failto find a drink of water. 

He hastened forward, half intoxicated with had seen and felt within thelast few minutes. 

The door, which at night closed the cave against the intrusions of theplunder-seeking jackals, was wide open, and the old woman sat outsideunder a ragged piece of brown sail-cloth, fastened at one end to therock and at the other to two posts of rough wood. She was sorting a heapof dark and light-colored roots, which lay in her lap. Near her was awheel, which turned in a high wooden fork. A wryneck made fast to itby a little chain, and by springing from spoke to spoke kept it incontinual motion. --[From Theocritus' idyl: The Sorceress. ]--A largeblack cat crouched beside her, and smelt at some ravens' and owls'heads, from which the eyes had not long since been extracted. 

Two sparrow-hawks sat huddled up over the door of the cave, out of whichcame the sharp odor of burning juniper-berries; this was intendedto render the various emanations rising from the different strangesubstances, which were collected and preserved there, innocuous. 

As Paaker approached the cavern the old woman called out to some onewithin:

"Is the wax cooking?"

An unintelligible murmur was heard in answer. 

Then throw in the ape's eyes, [The sentences and mediums employed by the witches, according to papyrus-rolls which remain. I have availed myself of the Magic papyrus of Harris, and of two in the Berlin collection, one of which is in Greek. ]

and the ibis feathers, and the scraps of linen with the black signs onthem. Stir it all a little; now put out the fire, "Take the jug and fetch some water--make haste, here comes a stranger. "

A sooty-black negro woman, with a piece of torn colorless stuff hanginground her hips, set a large clay-jar on her grey woolly matted hair, andwithout looking at him, went past Paaker, who was now close to the cave. 

The old woman, a tall figure bent with years, with a sharply-cut andwrinkled face, that might once have been handsome, made her preparationsfor receiving the visitor by tying a gaudy kerchief over her head, fastening her blue cotton garment round her throat, and flinging a fibremat over the birds' heads. 

Paaker called out to her, but she feigned to be deaf and not to hear hisvoice. Only when he stood quite close to her, did she raise her shrewd, twinkling eyes, and cry out:

"A lucky day! a white day that brings a noble guest and high honor. "

"Get up, " commanded Paaker, not giving her any greeting, but throwing asilver ring among the roots that lay in her lap, [The Egyptians had no coins before Alexander and the Ptolemies, but used metals for exchange, usually in the form of rings. ]

"and give me in exchange for good money some water in a clean vessel. "

"Fine pure silver, " said the old woman, while she held the ring, whichshe had quickly picked out from the roots, close to her eyes; "it is toomuch for mere water, and too little for my good liquors. "

"Don't chatter, hussy, but make haste, " cried Paaker, taking anotherring from his money-bag and throwing it into her lap. 

"Thou hast an open hand, " said the old woman, speaking in the dialectof the upper classes; "many doors must be open to thee, for money isa pass-key that turns any lock. Would'st thou have water for thy goodmoney? Shall it protect thee against noxious beasts?--shall it help theeto reach down a star? Shall it guide thee to secret paths?--It is thyduty to lead the way. Shall it make heat cold, or cold warm? Shallit give thee the power of reading hearts, or shall it beget beautifuldreams? Wilt thou drink of the water of knowledge and see whether thyfriend or thine enemy--ha! if thine enemy shall die? Would'st thou adrink to strengthen thy memory? Shall the water make thee invisible? orremove the 6th toe from thy left foot?"

"You know me?" asked Paaker. 

"How should I?" said the old woman, "but my eyes are sharp, and I canprepare good waters for great and small. "

"Mere babble!" exclaimed Paaker, impatiently clutching at the whip inhis girdle; "make haste, for the lady for whom--"

"Dost thou want the water for a lady?" interrupted the old woman. "Whowould have thought it?--old men certainly ask for my philters muchoftener than young ones--but I can serve thee. "

With these words the old woman went into the cave, and soon returnedwith a thin cylindrical flask of alabaster in her hand. 

"This is the drink, " she said, giving the phial to Paaker. "Pour halfinto water, and offer it to the lady. If it does not succeed at first, it is certain the second time. A child may drink the water and it willnot hurt him, or if an old man takes it, it makes him gay. Ah, I knowthe taste of it!" and she moistened her lips with the white fluid. "Itcan hurt no one, but I will take no more of it, or old Hekt will betormented with love and longing for thee; and that would ill please therich young lord, ha! ha! If the drink is in vain I am paid enough, ifit takes effect thou shalt bring me three more gold rings; and thou wiltreturn, I know it well. "

Paaker had listened motionless to the old woman, and siezed the flaskeagerly, as if bidding defiance to some adversary; he put it in hismoney bag, threw a few more rings at the feet of the witch, and oncemore hastily demanded a bowl of Nile-water. 

"Is my lord in such a hurry?" muttered the old woman, once more goinginto the cave. "He asks if I know him? him certainly I do? butthe darling? who can it be hereabouts? perhaps little Uarda at theparaschites yonder. She is pretty enough; but she is lying on a mat, runover and dying. We must see what my lord means. He would have pleasedme well enough, if I were young; but he will reach the goal, for he isresolute and spares no one. "

While she muttered these and similar words, she filled a graceful cup ofglazed earthenware with filtered Nile-water, which she poured out of alarge porous clay jar, and laid a laurel leaf, on which was scratchedtwo hearts linked together by seven strokes, on the surface of thelimpid fluid. Then she stepped out into the air again. 

As Paaker took the vessel from her looked at the laurel leaf, she said:

"This indeed binds hearts; three is the husband, four is the wife, seven is the chachach, charcharachacha. "--[This jargon is fund in amagic-papyrus at Berlin. ]

The old woman sang this spell not without skill; but the Mohar appearednot to listen to her jargon. He descended carefully into the valley, anddirected his steps to the resting place of the wife of Mena. 

By the side of a rock, which hill him from Nefert, he paused, set thecup on a flat block of stone, and drew the flask with the philter out ofhis girdle. 

His fingers trembled, but a thousand voices seemed to surge up and cry:

"Take it!--do it!--put in the drink!--now or never. " He felt like asolitary traveller, who finds on his road the last will of a relationwhose possessions he had hoped for, but which disinherits him. Shall hesurrender it to the judge, or shall he destroy it. 

Paaker was not merely outwardly devout; hitherto he had in everythingintended to act according to the prescriptions of the religion of hisfathers. Adultery was a heavy sin; but had not he an older right toNefert than the king's charioteer?

He who followed the black arts of magic, should, according to the law, be punished by death, and the old woman had a bad name for her evilarts; but he had not sought her for the sake of the philter. Was it notpossible that the Manes of his forefathers, that the Gods themselves, moved by his prayers and offerings, had put him in possession by anaccident--which was almost a miracle--of the magic potion efficacy henever for an instant doubted?

Paaker's associates held him to be a man of quick decision, and, infact, in difficult cases he could act with unusual rapidity, but whatguided him in these cases, was not the swift-winged judgment of aprepared and well-schooled brain, but usually only resulted from theoutcome of a play of question and answer. 

Amulets of the most various kinds hung round his neck, and from hisgirdle, all consecrated by priests, and of special sanctity or thehighest efficacy. 

There was the lapis lazuli eye, which hung to his girdle by a goldchain; When he threw it on the ground, so as to lie on the earth, if itsengraved side turned to heaven, and its smooth side lay on the ground, he said "yes;" in the other case, on the contrary, "no. " In his purselay always a statuette of the god Apheru, who opened roads; this hethrew down at cross-roads, and followed the direction which the pointedsnout of the image indicated. He frequently called into council theseal-ring of his deceased father, an old family possession, which thechief priests of Abydos had laid upon the holiest of the fourteen gravesof Osiris, and endowed with miraculous power. It consisted of a goldring with a broad signet, on which could be read the name of ThotmesIII. , who had long since been deified, and from whom Paaker's ancestorshad derived it. If it were desirable to consult the ring, the Mohartouched with the point of his bronze dagger the engraved sign of thename, below which were represented three objects sacred to the Gods, andthree that were, on the contrary, profane. If he hit one of the former, he concluded that his father--who was gone to Osiris--concurred in hisdesign; in the contrary case he was careful to postpone it. Often hepressed the ring to his heart, and awaited the first living creaturethat he might meet, regarding it as a messenger from his father;--if itcame to him from the right hand as an encouragement, if from the left asa warning. 

By degrees he had reduced these questionings to a system. All that hefound in nature he referred to himself and the current of his life. Itwas at once touching, and pitiful, to see how closely he lived with theManes of his dead. His lively, but not exalted fancy, wherever he gaveit play, presented to the eye of his soul the image of his father and ofan elder brother who had died early, always in the same spot, and almosttangibly distinct. 

But he never conjured up the remembrance of the beloved dead in orderto think of them in silent melancholy--that sweet blossom of the thornywreath of sorrow; only for selfish ends. The appeal to the Manes ofhis father he had found especially efficacious in certain desires anddifficulties; calling on the Manes of his brother was potent in certainothers; and so he turned from one to the other with the precision of acarpenter, who rarely doubts whether he should give the preference to ahatchet or a saw. 

These doings he held to be well pleasing to the Gods, and as he wasconvinced that the spirits of his dead had, after their justification, passed into Osiris that is to say, as atoms forming part of thegreat world-soul, at this time had a share in the direction of theuniverse--he sacrificed to them not only in the family catacomb, butalso in the temples of the Necropolis dedicated to the worship ofancestors, and with special preference in the House of Seti. 

He accepted advice, nay even blame, from Ameni and the other priestsunder his direction; and so lived full of a virtuous pride in being oneof the most zealous devotees in the land, and one of the most pleasingto the Gods, a belief on which his pastors never threw any doubt. 

Attended and guided at every step by supernatural powers, he wanted nofriend and no confidant. In the fleld, as in Thebes, he stood apart, andpassed among his comrades for a reserved man, rough and proud, but witha strong will. 

He had the power of calling up the image of his lost love with as muchvividness as the forms of the dead, and indulged in this magic, not onlythrough a hundred still nights, but in long rides and drives throughsilent wastes. 

Such visions were commonly followed by a vehement and boiling overflowof his hatred against the charioteer, and a whole series of ferventprayers for his destruction. 

When Paaker set the cup of water for Nefert on the flat stone and feltfor the philter, his soul was so full of desire that there was no roomfor hatred; still he could not altogether exclude the idea that he wouldcommit a great crime by making use of a magic drink. Before pouring thefateful drops into the water, he would consult the oracle of the ring. The dagger touched none of the holy symbols of the inscription on thesignet, and in other circumstances he would, without going any farther, have given up his project. 

But this time he unwillingly returned it to its sheath, pressed thegold ring to his heart, muttered the name of his brother in Osiris, andawaited the first living creature that might come towards him. 

He had not long to wait, from the mountain slope opposite to him rose, with heavy, slow wing-strokes, two light-colored vultures. 

In anxious suspense he followed their flight, as they rose, higherand higher. For a moment they poised motionless, borne up by the air, circled round each other, then wheeled to the left and vanished behindthe mountains, denying him the fulfilment of his desire. 

He hastily grasped the phial to fling it from him, but the surgingpassion in his veins had deprived him of his self-control. Nefert'simage stood before him as if beckoning him; a mysterious power clenchedhis fingers close and yet closer round the phial, and with the samedefiance which he showed to his associates, he poured half of thephilter into the cup and approached his victim. 

Nefert had meanwhile left her shady retreat and come towards him. 

She silently accepted the water he offered her, and drank it withdelight, to the very dregs. 

"'Thank you, " she said, when she had recovered breath after her eagerdraught. 

"That has done me good! How fresh and acid the water tastes; but yourhand shakes, and you are heated by your quick run for me--poor man. "

With these words she looked at him with a peculiar expressive glance ofher large eyes, and gave him her right hand, which he pressed wildly tohis lips. 

"That will do, " she said smiling; "here comes the princess with apriest, out of the hovel of the unclean. With what frightful words youterrified me just now. It is true I gave you just cause to be angry withme; but now you are kind again--do you hear?--and will bring yourmother again to see mine. Not a word. I shall see, whether cousin Paakerrefuses me obedience. "

She threatened him playfully with her finger, and then growing grave sheadded, with a look that pierced Paaker's heart with pain, and yet withecstasy, "Let us leave off quarrelling. It is so much better when peopleare kind to each other. "

After these words she walked towards the house of the paraschites, whilePaaker pressed his hands to his breast, and murmured:

"The drink is working, and she will be mine. I thank ye--ye Immortals!"

But this thanksgiving, which hitherto he had never failed to utter whenany good fortune had befallen him, to-day died on his lips. Close beforehim he saw the goal of his desires; there, under his eyes, lay the magicspring longed for for years. A few steps farther, and he might slake atits copious stream his thirst both for love and for revenge. 

While he followed the wife of Mena, and replaced the phial carefully inhis girdle, so as to lose no drop of the precious fluid which, accordingto the prescription of the old woman, he needed to use again, warningvoices spoke in his breast, to which he usually listened as to afatherly admonition; but at this moment he mocked at them, and even gaveoutward expression to the mood that ruled him--for he flung up his righthand like a drunken man, who turns away from the preacher of morality onhis way to the wine-cask; and yet passion held him so closely ensnared, that the thought that he should live through the swift moments whichwould change him from an honest man into a criminal, hardly dawned, darkly on his soul. He had hitherto dared to indulge his desire forlove and revenge in thought only, and had left it to the Gods to actfor themselves; now he had taken his cause out of the hand of theCelestials, and gone into action without them, and in spite of them. 

The sorceress Hekt passed him; she wanted to see the woman for whom shehad given him the philter. He perceived her and shuddered, but soon theold woman vanished among the rocks muttering. 

"Look at the fellow with six toes. He makes himself comfortable with theheritage of Assa. "

In the middle of the valley walked Nefert and the pioneer, with theprincess Bent-Anat and Pentaur who accompanied her. 

When these two had come out of the hut of the paraschites, they stoodopposite each other in silence. The royal maiden pressed her hand toher heart, and, like one who is thirsty, drank in the pure air of themountain valley with deeply drawn breath; she felt as if released fromsome overwhelming burden, as if delivered from some frightful danger. 

At last she turned to her companion, who gazed earnestly at the ground. 

"What an hour!" she said. 

Pentaur's tall figure did not move, but he bowed his head in assent, asif he were in a dream. Bent-Anat now saw him for the first time in falldaylight; her large eyes rested on him with admiration, and she asked:

"Art thou the priest, who yesterday, after my first visit to this house, so readily restored me to cleanness?"

"I am he, " replied Pentaur. 

"I recognized thy voice, and I am grateful to thee, for it was thou thatdidst strengthen my courage to follow the impulse of my heart, in spiteof my spiritual guides, and to come here again. Thou wilt defend me ifothers blame me. "

"I came here to pronounce thee unclean. "

"Then thou hast changed thy mind?" asked Bent-Anat, and a smile ofcontempt curled her lips. 

"I follow a high injunction, that commands us to keep the oldinstitutions sacred. If touching a paraschites, it is said, does notdefile a princess, whom then can it defile? for whose garment is morespotless than hers?"

"But this is a good man with all his meanness, " interrupted Bent-Anat, "and in spite of the disgrace, which is the bread of life to him ashonor is to us. May the nine great Gods forgive me! but he who is inthere is loving, pious and brave, and pleases me--and thou, thou, who didst think yesterday to purge away the taint of his touch with aword--what prompts thee today to cast him with the lepers?"

"The admonition of an enlightened man, never to give up any link ofthe old institutions; because thereby the already weakened chain may bebroken, and fall rattling to the ground. "

"Then thou condemnest me to uncleanness for the sake of all oldsuperstition, and of the populace, but not for my actions? Thou artsilent? Answer me now, if thou art such a one as I took the for, freelyand sincerely; for it concerns the peace of my soul. " Pentaur breathedhard; and then from the depths of his soul, tormented by doubts, thesedeeply-felt words forced themselves as if wrung from him; at firstsoftly, but louder as he went on. 

"Thou dost compel me to say what I had better not even think; but ratherwill I sin against obedience than against truth, the pure daughterof the Sun, whose aspect, Bent-Anat, thou dost wear. Whether theparaschites is unclean by birth or not, who am I that I should decide?But to me this man appeared--as to thee--as one moved by the same pureand holy emotions as stir and bless me and mine, and thee and everysoul born of woman; and I believe that the impressions of this hour havetouched thy soul as well as mine, not to taint, but to purify. If I amwrong, may the many-named Gods forgive me, Whose breath lives and worksin the paraschites as well as in thee and me, in Whom I believe, and toWhom I will ever address my humble songs, louder and more joyfully, as Ilearn that all that lives and breathes, that weeps and rejoices, is theimage of their sublime nature, and born to equal joy and equal sorrow. "

Pentaur had raised his eyes to heaven; now they met the proud and joyfulradiance of the princess' glance, while she frankly offered him herhand. He humbly kissed her robe, but she said:

"Nay--not so. Lay thy hand in blessing on mine. Thou art a man and atrue priest. Now I can be satisfied to be regarded as unclean, for myfather also desires that, by us especially, the institutions of the pastthat have so long continued should be respected, for the sake of thepeople. Let us pray in common to the Gods, that these poor people maybe released from the old ban. How beautiful the world might be, if menwould but let man remain what the Celestials have made him. But Paakerand poor Nefert are waiting in the scorching sun-come, follow me. "

She went forward, but after a few steps she turned round to him, andasked:

"What is thy name?"

"Pentaur. "

"Thou then art the poet of the House of Seti?"

"They call me so. "

Bent-Anat stood still a moment, gazing full at him as at a kinsman whomwe meet for the first time face to face, and said:

"The Gods have given thee great gifts, for thy glance reaches fartherand pierces deeper than that of other men; and thou canst say in wordswhat we can only feel--I follow thee willingly!"

Pentaur blushed like a boy, and said, while Paaker and Nefert camenearer to them:

"Till to-day life lay before me as if in twilight; but this moment showsit me in another light. I have seen its deepest shadows; and, " he addedin a low tone "how glorious its light can be. "

CHAPTER VII. 

An hour later, Bent-Anat and her train of followers stood before thegate of the House of Seti. 

Swift as a ball thrown from a man's hand, a runner had sprung forwardand hurried on to announce the approach of the princess to thechief priest. She stood alone in her chariot, in advance of all hercompanions, for Pentaur had found a place with Paaker. At the gate ofthe temple they were met by the head of the haruspices. 

The great doors of the pylon were wide open, and afforded a view intothe forecourt of the sanctuary, paved with polished squares ofstone, and surrounded on three sides with colonnades. The walls andarchitraves, the pillars and the fluted cornice, which slightly curvedin over the court, were gorgeous with many colored figures and painteddecorations. In the middle stood a great sacrificial altar, on whichburned logs of cedar wood, whilst fragrant balls of Kyphi

 [Kyphi was a celebrated Egyptian incense. Recipes for its preparation have been preserved in the papyrus of Ebers, in the laboratories of the temples, and elsewhere. Parthey had three different varieties prepared by the chemist, L. Voigt, in Berlin. Kyphi after the formula of Dioskorides was the best. It consisted of rosin, wine, rad, galangae, juniper berries, the root of the aromatic rush, asphalte, mastic, myrrh, Burgundy grapes, and honey. ]

were consumed by the flames, filling the wide space with their heavyperfume. Around, in semi-circular array, stood more than a hundredwhite-robed priests, who all turned to face the approaching princess, and sang heart-rending songs of lamentation. 

Many of the inhabitants of the Necropolis had collected on either sideof the lines of sphinxes, between which the princess drove up to theSanctuary. But none asked what these songs of lamentation might signify, for about this sacred place lamentation and mystery for ever lingered. "Hail to the child of Rameses!"--"All hail to the daughter of the Sun!"rang from a thousand throats; and the assembled multitude bowed almostto the earth at the approach of the royal maiden. 

At the pylon, the princess descended from her chariot, and preceded bythe chief of the haruspices, who had gravely and silently greeted her, passed on to the door of the temple. But as she prepared to cross theforecourt, suddenly, without warning, the priests' chant swelled to aterrible, almost thundering loudness, the clear, shrill voice of theTemple scholars rising in passionate lament, supported by the deep andthreatening roll of the basses. 

Bent-Anat started and checked her steps. Then she walked on again. 

But on the threshold of the door, Ameni, in full pontifical robes, stoodbefore her in the way, his crozier extended as though to forbid herentrance. 

"The advent of the daughter of Rameses in her purity, " he cried in loudand passionate tones, "augurs blessing to this sanctuary; but thisabode of the Gods closes its portals on the unclean, be they slaves orprinces. In the name of the Immortals, from whom thou art descended, Iask thee, Bent-Anat, art thou clean, or hast thou, through the touch ofthe unclean, defiled thyself and contaminated thy royal hand?"

Deep scarlet flushed the maiden's cheeks, there was a rushing sound inher ears as of a stormy sea surging close beside her, and her bosom roseand fell in passionate emotion. The kingly blood in her veins boiledwildly; she felt that an unworthy part had been assigned to her ina carefully-premeditated scene; she forgot her resolution to accuseherself of uncleanness, and already her lips were parted in vehementprotest against the priestly assumption that so deeply stirred herto rebellion, when Ameni, who placed himself directly in front of thePrincess, raised his eyes, and turned them full upon her with all thedepths of their indwelling earnestness. 

The words died away, and Bent-Anat stood silent, but she endured thegaze, and returned it proudly and defiantly. 

The blue veins started in Ameni's forehead; yet he repressed theresentment which was gathering like thunder clouds in his soul, andsaid, with a voice that gradually deviated more and more from its usualmoderation:

"For the second time the Gods demand through me, their representative:Hast thou entered this holy place in order that the Celestials may purgethee of the defilement that stains thy body and soul?"

"My father will communicate the answer to thee, " replied Bent-Anatshortly and proudly. 

"Not to me, " returned Ameni, "but to the Gods, in whose name I nowcommand thee to quit this sanctuary, which is defiled by thy presence. "

Bent-Anat's whole form quivered. "I will go, " she said with sullendignity. 

She turned to recross the gateway of the Pylon. At the first step herglance met the eye of the poet. As one to whom it is vouchsafed to standand gaze at some great prodigy, so Pentaur had stood opposite the royalmaiden, uneasy and yet fascinated, agitated, yet with secretly upliftedsoul. Her deed seemed to him of boundless audacity, and yet one suitedto her true and noble nature. By her side, Ameni, his revered andadmired master, sank into insignificance; and when she turned to leavethe temple, his hand was raised indeed to hold her back, but as hisglance met hers, his hand refused its office, and sought instead tostill the throbbing of his overflowing heart. 

The experienced priest, meanwhile, read the features of these twoguileless beings like an open book. A quickly-formed tie, he felt, linked their souls, and the look which he saw them exchange startledhim. The rebellious princess had glanced at the poet as though claimingapprobation for her triumph, and Pentaur's eyes had responded to theappeal. 

One instant Ameni paused. Then he cried: "Bent-Anat!"

The princess turned to the priest, and looked at him gravely andenquiringly. 

Ameni took a step forward, and stood between her and the poet. 

"Thou wouldst challenge the Gods to combat, " he said sternly. "That isbold; but such daring it seems to me has grown up in thee because thoucanst count on an ally, who stands scarcely farther from the Immortalsthan I myself. Hear this:--to thee, the misguided child, much may beforgiven. But a servant of the Divinity, " and with these words he turneda threatening glance on Pentaur--"a priest, who in the war of free-willagainst law becomes a deserter, who forgets his duty and his oath--hewill not long stand beside thee to support thee, for he--even thoughevery God had blessed him with the richest gifts--he is damned. We drivehim from among us, we curse him, we--"

At these words Bent-Anat looked now at Ameni, trembling with excitement, now at Pentaur standing opposite to her. Her face was red and whiteby turns, as light and shade chase each other on the ground when atnoon-day a palm-grove is stirred by a storm. 

The poet took a step towards her. 

She felt that if he spoke it would be to defend all that she had done, and to ruin himself. A deep sympathy, a nameless anguish seized hersoul, and before Pentaur could open his lips, she had sunk slowly downbefore Ameni, saying in low tones:

"I have sinned and defiled myself; thou hast said it--as Pentaur said itby the hut of the paraschites. Restore me to cleanness, Ameni, for I amunclean. "

Like a flame that is crushed out by a hand, so the fire in thehigh-priest's eye was extinguished. Graciously, almost lovingly, helooked down on the princess, blessed her and conducted her before theholy of holies, there had clouds of incense wafted round her, anointedher with the nine holy oils, and commanded her to return to the royalcastle. 

Yet, said he, her guilt was not expiated; she should shortly learn bywhat prayers and exercises she might attain once more to perfect puritybefore the Gods, of whom he purposed to enquire in the holy place. 

During all these ceremonies the priests stationed in the forecourtcontinued their lamentations. 

The people standing before the temple listened to the priest's chant, and interrupted it from time to time with ringing cries of wailing, foralready a dark rumor of what was going on within had spread among themultitude. 

The sun was going down. The visitors to the Necropolis must soon beleaving it, and Bent-Anat, for whose appearance the people impatientlywaited, would not show herself. One and another said the princess hadbeen cursed, because she had taken remedies to the fair and injuredUarda, who was known to many of them. 

Among the curious who had flocked together were many embalmers, laborers, and humble folk, who lived in the Necropolis. The mutinous andrefractory temper of the Egyptians, which brought such heavy sufferingon them under their later foreign rulers, was aroused, and risingwith every minute. They reviled the pride of the priests, and theirsenseless, worthless, institutions. A drunken soldier, who soon reeledback into the tavern which he had but just left, distinguished himselfas ringleader, and was the first to pick up a heavy stone to fling atthe huge brass-plated temple gates. A few boys followed his examplewith shouts, and law-abiding men even, urged by the clamor of fanaticalwomen, let themselves be led away to stone-flinging and words of abuse. 

Within the House of Seti the priests' chant went on uninterruptedly;but at last, when the noise of the crowd grew louder, the great gate wasthrown open, and with a solemn step Ameni, in full robes, and followedby twenty pastophori--[An order of priests]--who bore images of the Godsand holy symbols on their shoulders--Ameni walked into the midst of thecrowd. 

All were silent. 

"Wherefore do you disturb our worship?" he asked loudly and calmly. 

A roar of confused cries answered him, in which the frequently repeatedname of Bent-Anat could alone be distinguished. 

Ameni preserved his immoveable composure, and, raising his crozier, hecried--

"Make way for the daughter of Rameses, who sought and has foundpurification from the Gods, who behold the guilt of the highest asof the lowest among you. They reward the pious, but they punish theoffender. Kneel down and let us pray that they may forgive you, andbless both you and your children. "

Ameni took the holy Sistrum

 [A rattling metal instrument used by the Egyptians in the service of the Gods. Many specimens are extant in Museums. Plutarch describes it correctly, thus: "The Sistrum is rounded above, and the loop holds the four bars which are shaken. " On the bend of the Sistrum they often set the head of a cat with a human face. ]

from one of the attendant pastophori, and held it on high; the priestsbehind him raised a solemn hymn, and the crowd sank on their knees; nordid they move till the chant ceased and the high-priest again cried out:

"The Immortals bless you by me their servant. Leave this spot and makeway for the daughter of Rameses. "

With these words he withdrew into the temple, and the patrol, withoutmeeting with any opposition, cleared the road guarded by Sphinxes whichled to the Nile. 

As Bent-Anat mounted her chariot Ameni said "Thou art the child ofkings. The house of thy father rests on the shoulders of the people. Loosen the old laws which hold them subject, and the people will conductthemselves like these fools. "

Ameni retired. Bent-Anat slowly arranged the reins in her hand, her eyesresting the while on the poet, who, leaning against a door-post, gazedat her in beatitude. She let her whip fall to the ground, that he mightpick it up and restore it to her, but he did not observe it. A runnersprang forward and handed it to the princess, whose horses started off, tossing themselves and neighing. 

Pentaur remained as if spell-bound, standing by the pillar, till therattle of the departing wheels on the flag-way of the Avenue of Sphinxeshad altogether died away, and the reflection of the glowing sunsetpainted the eastern hills with soft and rosy hues. 

The far-sounding clang of a brass gong roused the poet from his ecstasy. It was the tomtom calling him to duty, to the lecture on rhetoric whichat this hour he had to deliver to the young priests. He laid his lefthand to his heart, and pressed his right hand to his forehead, as ifto collect in its grasp his wandering thoughts; then silently andmechanically he went towards the open court in which his disciplesawaited him. But instead of, as usual, considering on the way thesubject he was to treat, his spirit and heart were occupied with theoccurrences of the last few hours. One image reigned supreme in hisimagination, filling it with delight--it was that of the fairest woman, who, radiant in her royal dignity and trembling with pride, had thrownherself in the dust for his sake. He felt as if her action had investedher whole being with a new and princely worth, as if her glance hadbrought light to his inmost soul, he seemed to breathe a freer air, tobe borne onward on winged feet. 

In such a mood he appeared before his hearers. When he found himselfconfronting all the the well-known faces, he remembered what it washe was called upon to do. He supported himself against the wall of thecourt, and opened the papyrus-roll handed to him by his favorite pupil, the young Anana. It was the book which twenty-four hours ago he hadpromised to begin upon. He looked now upon the characters that coveredit, and felt that he was unable to read a word. 

With a powerful effort he collected himself, and looking upwards triedto find the thread he had cut at the end of yesterday's lecture, andintended to resume to-day; but between yesterday and to-day, as itseemed to him, lay a vast sea whose roaring surges stunned his memoryand powers of thought. 

His scholars, squatting cross-legged on reed mats before him, gazed inastonishment on their silent master who was usually so ready of speech, and looked enquiringly at each other. A young priest whispered to hisneighbor, "He is praying--" and Anana noticed with silent anxiety thestrong hand of his teacher clutching the manuscript so tightly that theslight material of which it consisted threatened to split. 

At last Pentaur looked down; he had found a subject. While he waslooking upwards his gaze fell on the opposite wall, and the paintedname of the king with the accompanying title "the good God" met his eye. Starting from these words he put this question to his hearers, "How dowe apprehend the Goodness of the Divinity?"

He challenged one priest after another to treat this subject as if hewere standing before his future congregation. 

Several disciples rose, and spoke with more or less truth and feeling. At last it came to Anana's turn, who, in well-chosen words, praisedthe purpose-full beauty of animate and inanimate creation, in which thegoodness of Amon

 [Amon, that is to say, "the hidden one. " He was the God of Thebes, which was under his aegis, and after the Hykssos were expelled from the Nile-valley, he was united with Ra of Heliopolis and endowed with the attributes of all the remaining Gods. His nature was more and more spiritualized, till in the esoteric philosophy of the time of the Rameses he is compared to the All filling and All guiding intelligence. He is "the husband of his mother, his own father, and his own son, " As the living Osiris, he is the soul and spirit of all creation. ]

of Ra, [Ra, originally the Sun-God; later his name was introduced into the pantheistic mystic philosophy for that of the God who is the Universe. ]

and Ptah, [Ptah is the Greek Henhaistas, the oldest of the Gods, the great maker of the material for the creation, the "first beginner, " by whose side the seven Chnemu stand, as architects, to help him, and who was named "the lord of truth, " because the laws and conditions of being proceeded from him. He created also the germ of light, he stood therefore at the head of the solar Gods, and was called the creator of ice, from which, when he had cleft it, the sun and the moan came forth. Hence his name "the opener. "]

as well as of the other Gods, finds expression. 

Pentaur listened to the youth with folded arms, now looking at himenquiringly, now adding approbation. Then taking up the thread of thediscourse when it was ended, he began himself to speak. 

Like obedient falcons at the call of the falconer, thoughts rushed downinto his mind, and the divine passion awakened in his breast glowed andshone through his inspired language that soared every moment on freerand stronger wings. Melting into pathos, exulting in rapture, he praisedthe splendor of nature; and the words flowed from his lips like a limpidcrystal-clear stream as he glorified the eternal order of things, andthe incomprehensible wisdom and care of the Creator--the One, who is onealone, and great and without equal. 

"So incomparable, " he said in conclusion, "is the home which God hasgiven us. All that He--the One--has created is penetrated with His ownessence, and bears witness to His Goodness. He who knows how to find Himsees Him everywhere, and lives at every instant in the enjoyment of Hisglory. Seek Him, and when ye have found Him fall down and sing praisesbefore Him. But praise the Highest, not only in gratitude for thesplendor of that which he has created, but for having given us thecapacity for delight in his work. Ascend the mountain peaks and look onthe distant country, worship when the sunset glows with rubies, and thedawn with roses, go out in the nighttime, and look at the stars as theytravel in eternal, unerring, immeasurable, and endless circles on silverbarks through the blue vault of heaven, stand by the cradle of thechild, by the buds of the flowers, and see how the mother bends overthe one, and the bright dew-drops fall on the other. But would you knowwhere the stream of divine goodness is most freely poured out, where thegrace of the Creator bestows the richest gifts, and where His holiestaltars are prepared? In your own heart; so long as it is pure and fullof love. In such a heart, nature is reflected as in a magic mirror, onwhose surface the Beautiful shines in three-fold beauty. There the eyecan reach far away over stream, and meadow, and hill, and take in thewhole circle of the earth; there the morning and evening-red shine, not like roses and rubies, but like the very cheeks of the Goddess ofBeauty; there the stars circle on, not in silence, but with the mightyvoices of the pure eternal harmonies of heaven; there the child smileslike an infant-god, and the bud unfolds to magic flowers; finally, there thankfulness grows broader and devotion grows deeper, and we throwourselves into the arms of a God, who--as I imagine his glory--is aGod to whom the sublime nine great Gods pray as miserable and helplesssuppliants. "

The tomtom which announced the end of the hour interrupted him. 

Pentaur ceased speaking with a deep sigh, and for a minute not a scholarmoved. 

At last the poet laid the papyrus roll out of his hand, wiped the sweatfrom his hot brow, and walked slowly towards the gate of the court, which led into the sacred grove of the temple. He had hardly crossed thethreshold when he felt a hand laid upon his shoulder. 

He looked round. Behind him stood Ameni. "You fascinated your hearers, my friend, " said the high-priest, coldly; "it is a pity that only theHarp was wanting. "

Ameni's words fell on the agitated spirit of the poet like ice on thebreast of a man in fever. He knew this tone in his master's voice, forthus he was accustomed to reprove bad scholars and erring priests; butto him he had never yet so spoken. 

"It certainly would seem, " continued the high-priest, bitterly, "as ifin your intoxication you had forgotten what it becomes the teacher toutter in the lecture-hall. Only a few weeks since you swore on my handsto guard the mysteries, and this day you have offered the great secretof the Unnameable one, the most sacred possession of the initiated, likesome cheap ware in the open market. "

"Thou cuttest with knives, " said Pentaur. 

"May they prove sharp, and extirpate the undeveloped canker, the rankweed from your soul, " cried the high-priest. "You are young, too young;not like the tender fruit-tree that lets itself be trained aright, andbrought to perfection, but like the green fruit on the ground, whichwill turn to poison for the children who pick it up--yea even though itfall from a sacred tree. Gagabu and I received you among us, againstthe opinion of the majority of the initiated. We gainsaid all thosewho doubted your ripeness because of your youth; and you swore to me, gratefully and enthusiastically, to guard the mysteries and the law. To-day for the first time I set you on the battle-field of life beyondthe peaceful shelter of the schools. And how have you defended thestandard that it was incumbent on you to uphold and maintain?"

"I did that which seemed to me to be right and true, " answered Pentaurdeeply moved. 

"Right is the same for you as for us--what the law prescribes; and whatis truth?"

"None has lifted her veil, " said Pentaur, "but my soul is the offspringof the soul-filled body of the All; a portion of the infallible spiritof the Divinity stirs in my breast, and if it shows itself potent inme--"

"How easily we may mistake the flattering voice of self-love for that ofthe Divinity!"

"Cannot the Divinity which works and speaks in me--as in thee--as ineach of us--recognize himself and his own voice?"

"If the crowd were to hear you, " Ameni interrupted him, "each would sethimself on his little throne, would proclaim the voice of the god withinhim as his guide, tear the law to shreds, and let the fragments fly tothe desert on the east wind. "

"I am one of the elect whom thou thyself hast taught to seek and tofind the One. The light which I gaze on and am blest, would strike thecrowd--I do not deny it--with blindness--"

"And nevertheless you blind our disciples with the dangerous glare-"

"I am educating them for future sages. "

"And that with the hot overflow of a heart intoxicated with love!"

"Ameni!"

"I stand before you, uninvited, as your teacher, who reproves you out ofthe law, which always and everywhere is wiser than the individual, whosedefender the king--among his highest titles--boasts of being, and towhich the sage bows as much as the common man whom we bring up to blindbelief--I stand before you as your father, who has loved you from achild, and expected from none of his disciples more than from you; andwho will therefore neither lose you nor abandon the hope he has set uponyou--

"Make ready to leave our quiet house early tomorrow morning. You haveforfeited your office of teacher. You shall now go into the school oflife, and make yourself fit for the honored rank of the initiated which, by my error, was bestowed on you too soon. You must leave your scholarswithout any leave-taking, however hard it may appear to you. After thestar of Sothis

 [The holy star of Isis, Sirius or the dog star, whose course in the time of the Pharaohs coincided with the exact Solar year, and served at a very early date as a foundation for the reckoning of time among the Egyptians. ]

has risen come for your instructions. You must in these next months tryto lead the priesthood in the temple of Hatasu, and in that post to winback my confidence which you have thrown away. No remonstrance; to-nightyou will receive my blessing, and our authority--you must greet therising sun from the terrace of the new scene of your labors. May theUnnameable stamp the law upon your soul!"

Ameni returned to his room. 

He walked restlessly to and fro. 

On a little table lay a mirror; he looked into the clear metal pane, and laid it back in its place again, as if he had seen some strange anddispleasing countenance. 

The events of the last few hours had moved him deeply, and shaken hisconfidence in his unerring judgment of men and things. 

The priests on the other bank of the Nile were Bent-Anat's counsellors, and he had heard the princess spoken of as a devout and gifted maiden. Her incautious breach of the sacred institutions had seemed to himto offer a welcome opportunity for humiliating--a member of the royalfamily. 

Now he told himself that he had undervalued this young creature that hehad behaved clumsily, perhaps foolishly, to her; for he did not for amoment conceal from himself that her sudden change of demeanor resultedmuch more from the warm flow of her sympathy, or perhaps of her, affection, than from any recognition of her guilt, and he could notutilize her transgression with safety to himself, unless she feltherself guilty. 

Nor was he of so great a nature as to be wholly free from vanity, andhis vanity had been deeply wounded by the haughty resistance of theprincess. 

When he commanded Pentaur to meet the princess with words of reproof, hehad hoped to awaken his ambition through the proud sense of power overthe mighty ones of the earth. 

And now?

How had his gifted admirer, the most hopeful of all his disciples, stoodthe test. 

The one ideal of his life, the unlimited dominion of the priestly ideaover the minds of men, and of the priesthood over the king himself, hadhitherto remained unintelligible to this singular young man. 

He must learn to understand it. 

"Here, as the least among a hundred who are his superiors, all thepowers of resistance of his soaring soul have been roused, " said Amenito himself. "In the temple of Hatasu he will have to rule over theinferior orders of slaughterers of victims and incense-burners; and, by requiring obedience, will learn to estimate the necessity of it. Therebel, to whom a throne devolves, becomes a tyrant!"

"Pentuar's poet soul, " so he continued to reflect "has quickly yieldeditself a prisoner to the charm of Bent-Anat; and what woman could resistthis highly favored being, who is radiant in beauty as Ra-Harmachis, andfrom whose lips flows speech as sweet as Techuti's. They ought never tomeet again, for no tie must bind him to the house of Rameses. "

Again he paced to and fro, and murmured:

"How is this? Two of my disciples have towered above their fellows, ingenius and gifts, like palm trees above their undergrowth. I broughtthem up to succeed me, to inherit my labors and my hopes. 

"Mesu fell away;

 [Mesu is the Egyptian name of Moses, whom we may consider as a contemporary of Rameses, under whose successor the exodus of the Jews from Egypt took place. ]

and Pentaur may follow him. Must my aim be an unworthy one because itdoes not attract the noblest? Not so. Each feels himself made of betterstuff than his companions in destiny, constitutes his own law, and fearsto see the great expended in trifles; but I think otherwise; like abrook of ferruginous water from Lebanon, I mix with the great stream, and tinge it with my color. "

Thinking thus Ameni stood still. 

Then he called to one of the so-called "holy fathers, " his privatesecretary, and said:

"Draw up at once a document, to be sent to all the priests'-colleges inthe land. Inform them that the daughter of Rameses has lapsed seriouslyfrom the law, and defiled herself, and direct that public--you hear mepublic--prayers shall be put up for her purification in every temple. Lay the letter before me to be signed within in hour. But no! Give meyour reed and palette; I will myself draw up the instructions. "

The "holy father" gave him writing materials, and retired into thebackground. Ameni muttered: "The King will do us some unheard-ofviolence! Well, this writing may be the first arrow in opposition to hislance. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

The moon was risen over the city of the living that lay opposite theNecropolis of Thebes. 

The evening song had died away in the temples, that stood about a milefrom the Nile, connected with each other by avenues of sphinxes andpylons; but in the streets of the city life seemed only just reallyawake. 

The coolness, which had succeeded the heat of the summer day, temptedthe citizens out into the air, in front of their doors or on theroofs and turrets of their houses; or at the tavern-tables, where theylistened to the tales of the story-tellers while they refreshed themselves with beer, wine, and the sweet juice of fruits. Many simple folkssquatted in circular groups on the ground, and joined in the burden ofsongs which were led by an appointed singer, to the sound of a tabor andflute. 

To the south of the temple of Amon stood the king's palace, and near it, in more or less extensive gardens, rose the houses of the magnatesof the kingdom, among which, one was distinguished by it splendor andextent. 

Paaker, the king's pioneer, had caused it to be erected after thedeath of his father, in the place of the more homely dwelling of hisancestors, when he hoped to bring home his cousin, and install her asits mistress. A few yards further to the east was another stately thougholder and less splendid house, which Mena, the king's charioteer, hadinherited from his father, and which was inhabited by his wife Nefertand her mother Isatuti, while he himself, in the distant Syrian land, shared the tent of the king, as being his body-guard. Before the doorof each house stood servants bearing torches, and awaiting the longdeferred return home of their masters. 

The gate, which gave admission to Paaker's plot of ground through thewall which surrounded it, was disproportionately, almost ostentatiously, high and decorated with various paintings. On the right hand and on theleft, two cedar-trunks were erected as masts to carry standards; he hadhad them felled for the purpose on Lebanon, and forwarded by ship toPelusium on the north-east coast of Egypt. Thence they were conveyed bythe Nile to Thebes. 

On passing through the gate one entered a wide, paved court-yard, atthe sides of which walks extended, closed in at the back, and with roofssupported on slender painted wooden columns. Here stood the pioneer'shorses and chariots, here dwelt his slaves, and here the necessary storeof produce for the month's requirements was kept. 

In the farther wall of this store-court was a very high doorway, thatled into a large garden with rows of well-tended trees and trellisedvines, clumps of shrubs, flowers, and beds of vegetables. Palms, sycamores, and acacia-trees, figs, pomegranates, and jasmine throvehere particularly well--for Paaker's mother, Setchem, superintended thelabors of the gardeners; and in the large tank in the midst there wasnever any lack of water for watering the beds and the roots of thetrees, as it was always supplied by two canals, into which wheels turnedby oxen poured water day and night from the Nile-stream. 

On the right side of this plot of ground rose the one-storied dwellinghouse, its length stretching into distant perspective, as it consistedof a single row of living and bedrooms. Almost every room had its owndoor, that opened into a veranda supported by colored wooden columns, and which extended the whole length of the garden side of the house. This building was joined at a right angle by a row of store-rooms, inwhich the garden-produce in fruits and vegetables, the wine-jars, andthe possessions of the house in woven stuffs, skins, leather, and otherproperty were kept. 

In a chamber of strong masonry lay safely locked up the vast richesaccumulated by Paaker's father and by himself, in gold and silver rings, vessels and figures of beasts. Nor was there lack of bars of copper andof precious stones, particularly of lapis-lazuli and malachite. 

In the middle of the garden stood a handsomely decorated kiosk, and achapel with images of the Gods; in the background stood the statues ofPaaker's ancestors in the form of Osiris wrapped in mummy-cloths. 

 [The justified dead became Osiris; that is to say, attained to the fullest union (Henosis) with the divinity. ]

The faces, which were likenesses, alone distinguished these statues fromeach other. 

The left side of the store-yard was veiled in gloom, yet the moonlightrevealed numerous dark figures clothed only with aprons, the slaves ofthe king's pioneer, who squatted on the ground in groups of five or six, or lay near each other on thin mats of palm-bast, their hard beds. 

Not far from the gate, on the right side of the court, a few lampslighted up a group of dusky men, the officers of Paaker's household, whowore short, shirt-shaped, white garments, and who sat on a carpet rounda table hardly two feet high. They were eating their evening-meal, consisting of a roasted antelope, and large flat cakes of bread. Slaveswaited on them, and filled their earthen beakers with yellow beer. Thesteward cut up the great roast on the table, offered the intendant ofthe gardens a piece of antelope-leg, and said:

 [The Greeks and Romans report that the Egyptians were so addicted to satire and pungent witticisms that they would hazard property and life to gratify their love of mockery. The scandalous pictures in the so-called kiosk of Medinet Habu, the caricatures in an indescribable papyrus at Turin, confirm these statements. There is a noteworthy passage in Flavius Vopiscus, that compares the Egyptians to the French. ]

"My arms ache; the mob of slaves get more and more dirty andrefractory. "

"I notice it in the palm-trees, " said the gardener, "you want so manycudgels that their crowns will soon be as bare as a moulting bird. "

"We should do as the master does, " said the head-groom, "and get sticksof ebony--they last a hundred years. "

"At any rate longer than men's bones, " laughed the chief neat-herd, whohad come in to town from the pioneer's country estate, bringing with himanimals for sacrifices, butter and cheese. "If we were all to follow themaster's example, we should soon have none but cripples in the servant'shouse. "

"Out there lies the lad whose collar-bone he broke yesterday, " said thesteward, "it is a pity, for he was a clever mat-platter. The old lordhit softer. "

"You ought to know!" cried a small voice, that sounded mockingly behindthe feasters. 

They looked and laughed when they recognized the strange guest, who hadapproached them unobserved. 

The new comer was a deformed little man about as big as a five-year-oldboy, with a big head and oldish but uncommonly sharply-cut features. 

The noblest Egyptians kept house-dwarfs for sport, and this little wightserved the wife of Mena in this capacity. He was called Nemu, or "thedwarf, " and his sharp tongue made him much feared, though he wasa favorite, for he passed for a very clever fellow and was a goodtale-teller. 

"Make room for me, my lords, " said the little man. "I take very littleroom, and your beer and roast is in little danger from me, for my maw isno bigger than a fly's head. "

"But your gall is as big as that of a Nile-horse, " cried the cook. 

"It grows, " said the dwarf laughing, "when a turn-spit and spoon-wielderlike you turns up. There--I will sit here. "

"You are welcome, " said the steward, "what do you bring?"

"Myself. "

"Then you bring nothing great. "

"Else I should not suit you either!" retorted the dwarf. "But seriously, my lady mother, the noble Katuti, and the Regent, who just now isvisiting us, sent me here to ask you whether Paaker is not yet returned. He accompanied the princess and Nefert to the City of the Dead, and theladies are not yet come in. We begin to be anxious, for it is alreadylate. "

The steward looked up at the starry sky and said: "The moon is alreadytolerably high, and my lord meant to be home before sun-down. "

"The meal was ready, " sighed the cook. "I shall have to go to work againif he does not remain all night. "

"How should he?" asked the steward. "He is with the princess Bent-Anat. "

"And my mistress, " added the dwarf. 

"What will they say to each other, " laughed gardener; "your chieflitter-bearer declared that yesterday on the way to the City of the Deadthey did not speak a word to each other. "

"Can you blame the lord if he is angry with the lady who was betrothedto him, and then was wed to another? When I think of the moment when helearnt Nefert's breach of faith I turn hot and cold. "

"Care the less for that, " sneered the dwarf, "since you must be hot insummer and cold in winter. "

"It is not evening all day, " cried the head groom. "Paaker never forgetsan injury, and we shall live to see him pay Mena--high as he is--for theaffront he has offered him. 

"My lady Katuti, " interrupted Nemu, "stores up the arrears of herson-in-law. "

"Besides, she has long wished to renew the old friendship with yourhouse, and the Regent too preaches peace. Give me a piece of bread, steward. I am hungry!"

"The sacks, into which Mena's arrears flow seem to be empty, " laughedthe cook. 

"Empty! empty! much like your wit!" answered the dwarf. "Give me a bitof roast meat, steward; and you slaves bring me a drink of beer. "

"You just now said your maw was no bigger than a fly's head, " cried thecook, "and now you devour meat like the crocodiles in the sacred tank ofSeeland. You must come from a world of upside-down, where the men are assmall as flies, and the flies as big as the giants of the past. "

"Yet, I might be much bigger, " mumbled the dwarf while he munched onunconcernedly, "perhaps as big as your spite which grudges me thethird bit of meat, which the steward--may Zefa bless him with greatpossessions--is cutting out of the back of the antelope. "

"There, take it, you glutton, but let out your girdle, " said the stewardlaughing, "I had cut the slice for myself, and admire your sharp nose. "

"All noses, " said the dwarf, "they teach the knowing better than anyharuspex what is inside a man. "

"How is that?" cried the gardener. 

"Only try to display your wisdom, " laughed the steward; "for, if youwant to talk, you must at last leave off eating. "

"The two may be combined, " said the dwarf. "Listen then! A hooked nose, which I compare to a vulture's beak, is never found together with asubmissive spirit. Think of the Pharaoh and all his haughty race. TheRegent, on the contrary, has a straight, well-shaped, medium-sized nose, like the statue of Amon in the temple, and he is an upright soul, and asgood as the Gods. He is neither overbearing nor submissive beyond justwhat is right; he holds neither with the great nor yet with the mean, but with men of our stamp. There's the king for us!"

"A king of noses!" exclaimed the cook, "I prefer the eagle Rameses. Butwhat do you say to the nose of your mistress Nefert?"

"It is delicate and slender and moves with every thought like the leavesof flowers in a breath of wind, and her heart is exactly like it. "

"And Paaker?" asked the head groom. 

"He has a large short nose with wide open nostrils. When Seth whirls upthe sand, and a grain of it flies up his nose, he waxes angry--so itis Paaker's nose, and that only, which is answerable for all your bluebruises. His mother Setchem, the sister of my lady Katuti, has a littleroundish soft--"

"You pigmy, " cried the steward interrupting the speaker, "we have fedyou and let you abuse people to your heart's content, but if you wagyour sharp tongue against our mistress, I will take you by the girdleand fling you to the sky, so that the stars may remain sticking to yourcrooked hump. "

At these words the dwarf rose, turned to go, and said indifferently: "Iwould pick the stars carefully off my back, and send you the finest ofthe planets in return for your juicy bit of roast. But here come thechariots. Farewell! my lords, when the vulture's beak seizes one ofyou and carries you off to the war in Syria, remember the words of thelittle Nemu who knows men and noses. "

The pioneer's chariot rattled through the high gates into the court ofhis house, the dogs in their leashes howled joyfully, the head groomhastened towards Paaker and took the reins in his charge, the stewardaccompanied him, and the head cook retired into the kitchen to makeready a fresh meal for his master. 

Before Paaker had reached the garden-gate, from the pylon of theenormous temple of Amon, was heard first the far-sounding clang ofhard-struck plates of brass, and then the many-voiced chant of a solemnhymn. 

The Mohar stood still, looked up to heaven, called to his servants--"Thedivine star Sothis is risen!" threw himself on the earth, and lifted hiswards the star in prayer. 

The slaves and officers immediately followed his example. 

No circumstance in nature remained unobserved by the priestly guides ofthe Egyptian people. Every phenomenon on earth or in the starry heavenswas greeted by them as the manifestation of a divinity, and theysurrounded the life of the inhabitants of the Nile-valley--frommorning to evening--from the beginning of the inundation to the daysof drought--with a web of chants and sacrifices, of processions andfestivals, which inseparably knit the human individual to the Divinityand its earthly representatives the priesthood. 

For many minutes the lord and his servants remained on their knees insilence, their eyes fixed on the sacred star, and listening to the piouschant of the priests. 

As it died away Paaker rose. All around him still lay on the earth;only one naked figure, strongly lighted by the clear moonlight, stoodmotionless by a pillar near the slaves' quarters. 

The pioneer gave a sign, the attendants rose; but Paaker went with hastysteps to the man who had disdained the act of devotion, which he had soearnestly performed, and cried:

"Steward, a hundred strokes on the soles of the feet of this scoffer. "

The officer thus addressed bowed and said: "My lord, the surgeoncommanded the mat-weaver not to move and he cannot lift his arm. He issuffering great pain. Thou didst break his collar-bone yesterday. 

"It served him right!" said Paaker, raising his voice so much that theinjured man could not fail to hear it. Then he turned his back upon him, and entered the garden; here he called the chief butler, and said: "Givethe slaves beer for their night draught--to all of them, and plenty. "

A few minutes later he stood before his mother, whom he found on theroof of the house, which was decorated with leafy plants, just as shegave her two-years'-old grand daughter, the child of her youngest son, into the arms of her nurse, that she might take her to bed. 

Paaker greeted the worthy matron with reverence. She was a woman of afriendly, homely aspect; several little dogs were fawning at her feet. Her son put aside the leaping favorites of the widow, whom they amusedthrough many long hours of loneliness, and turned to take the child inhis arms from those of the attendant. But the little one struggled withsuch loud cries, and could not be pacified, that Paaker set it down onthe ground, and involuntarily exclaimed:

"The naughty little thing!"

"She has been sweet and good the whole afternoon, " said his motherSetchem. "She sees you so seldom. "

"May be, " replied Paaker; "still I know this--the dogs love me, but nochild will come to me. "

"You have such hard hands. "

"Take the squalling brat away, " said Paaker to the nurse. "Mother, Iwant to speak to you. "

Setchem quieted the child, gave it many kisses, and sent it to bed; thenshe went up to her son, stroked his cheeks, and said:

"If the little one were your own, she would go to you at once, and teachyou that a child is the greatest blessing which the Gods bestow on usmortals. " Paaker smiled and said: "I know what you are aiming at--butleave it for the present, for I have something important to communicateto you. "

"Well?" asked Setchem. 

"To-day for the first time since--you know when, I have spoken toNefert. The past may be forgotten. You long for your sister; go to her, I have nothing more to say against it. "

Setchem looked at her son with undisguised astonishment; her eyes whicheasily filled with tears, now overflowed, and she hesitatingly asked:"Can I believe my ears; child, have you?--"

"I have a wish, " said Paaker firmly, "that you should knit once more theold ties of affection with your relations; the estrangement has lastedlong enough. "

"Much too long!" cried Setchem. 

The pioneer looked in silence at the ground, and obeyed his mother'ssign to sit down beside her. 

"I knew, " she said, taking his hand, "that this day would bring us joy;for I dreamt of your father in Osiris, and when I was being carriedto the temple, I was met, first by a white cow, and then by a weddingprocession. The white ram of Anion, too, touched the wheat-cakes thatI offered him. "--[It boded death to Germanicus when the Apis refused toeat out of his hand. ]

"Those are lucky presages, " said Paaker in a tone of conviction. 

"And let us hasten to seize with gratitude that which the Gods setbefore us, " cried Setchem with joyful emotion. "I will go to-morrow tomy sister and tell her that we shall live together in our old affection, and share both good and evil; we are both of the same race, and I knowthat, as order and cleanliness preserve a house from ruin and rejoicethe stranger, so nothing but unity can keep up the happiness of thefamily and its appearance before people. What is bygone is bygone, andlet it be forgotten. There are many women in Thebes besides Nefert, anda hundred nobles in the land would esteem themselves happy to win youfor a son-in-law. "

Paaker rose, and began thoughtfully pacing the broad space, whileSetchem went on speaking. 

"I know, " she said, "that I have touched a wound in thy heart; but itis already closing, and it will heal when you are happier even than thecharioteer Mena, and need no longer hate him. Nefert is good, but sheis delicate and not clever, and scarcely equal to the management ofso large a household as ours. Ere long I too shall be wrapped inmummy-cloths, and then if duty calls you into Syria some prudenthousewife must take my place. It is no small matter. Your grandfatherAssa often would say that a house well-conducted in every detail wasa mark of a family owning an unspotted name, and living with wiseliberality and secure solidity, in which each had his assigned place, his allotted duty to fulfil, and his fixed rights to demand. How oftenhave I prayed to the Hathors that they may send you a wife after my ownheart. "

"A Setchem I shall never find!" said Paaker kissing his mother'sforehead, "women of your sort are dying out. "

"Flatterer!" laughed Setchem, shaking her finger at her son. But it istrue. Those who are now growing up dress and smarten themselves withstuffs from Kaft, --[Phoenicia]--mix their language with Syrian words, and leave the steward and housekeeper free when they themselves ought tocommand. Even my sister Katuti, and Nefert--

"Nefert is different from other women, " interrupted Paaker, "and if youhad brought her up she would know how to manage a house as well as howto ornament it. "

Setchem looked at her son in surprise; then she said, half to herself:"Yes, yes, she is a sweet child; it is impossible for any one to beangry with her who looks into her eyes. And yet I was cruel to herbecause you were hurt by her, and because--but you know. But now youhave forgiven, I forgive her, willingly, her and her husband. "

Paaker's brow clouded, and while he paused in front of his mother hesaid with all the peculiar harshness of his voice:

"He shall pine away in the desert, and the hyaenas of the North shalltear his unburied corpse. "

At these words Setchem covered her face with her veil, and clasped herhands tightly over the amulets hanging round her neck. Then she saidsoftly:

"How terrible you can be! I know well that you hate the charioteer, for I have seen the seven arrows over your couch over which is written'Death to Mena. '

"That is a Syrian charm which a man turns against any one whom hedesires to destroy. How black you look! Yes, it is a charm that ishateful to the Gods, and that gives the evil one power over him thatuses it. Leave it to them to punish the criminal, for Osiris withdrawshis favor from those who choose the fiend for their ally. "

"My sacrifices, " replied Paaker, "secure me the favor of the Gods; butMena behaved to me like a vile robber, and I only return to him the evilthat belongs to him. Enough of this! and if you love me, never againutter the name of my enemy before me. I have forgiven Nefert and hermother--that may satisfy you. "

Setchem shook her head, and said: "What will it lead to! The war cannotlast for ever, and if Mena returns the reconciliation of to-day willturn to all the more bitter enmity. I see only one remedy. Follow myadvice, and let me find you a wife worthy of you. "

"Not now!" exclaimed Paaker impatiently. "In a few days I must go againinto the enemy's country, and do not wish to leave my wife, likeMena, to lead the life of a widow during my existence. Why urge it? mybrother's wife and children are with you--that might satisfy you. "

"The Gods know how I love them, " answered Setchem; "but your brotherHorns is the younger, and you the elder, to whom the inheritancebelongs. Your little niece is a delightful plaything, but in your son Ishould see at once the future stay of our race, the future head of thefamily; brought up to my mind and your father's; for all is sacred tome that my dead husband wished. He rejoiced in your early betrothal toNefert, and hoped that a son of his eldest son should continue the raceof Assa. "

"It shall be by no fault of mine that any wish of his remainsunfulfilled. The stars are high, mother; sleep well, and if to-morrowyou visit Nefert and your sister, say to them that the doors of my houseare open to them. But stay! Katuti's steward has offered to sell a herdof cattle to ours, although the stock on Mena's land can be but small. What does this mean?"

"You know my sister, " replied Setchem. "She manages Mena's possessions, has many requirements, tries to vie with the greatest in splendor, seesthe governor often in her house, her son is no doubt extravagant--and sothe most necessary things may often be wanting. "

Paaker shrugged his shoulders, once more embraced his mother and lefther. 

Soon after, he was standing in the spacious room in which he wasaccustomed to sit and to sleep when he was in Thebes. The walls of thisroom were whitewashed and decorated with pious glyphic writing, whichframed in the door and the windows opening into the garden. 

In the middle of the farther wall was a couch in the form of a lion. Theupper end of it imitated a lion's head, and the foot, its curling tail;a finely dressed lion's skin was spread over the bell, and a headrest ofebony, decorated with pious texts, stood on a high foot-step, ready forthe sleeper. 

Above the bed various costly weapons and whips were elegantly displayed, and below them the seven arrows over which Setchem had read the words"Death to Mena. " They were written across a sentence which enjoinedfeeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and clothing the naked;with loving-kindness, alike to the great and the humble. 

A niche by the side of the bed-head was closed with a curtain of purplestuff. 

In each corner of the room stood a statue; three of them symbolized thetriad of Thebes-Anion, Muth, and Chunsu--and the fourth the dead fatherof the pioneer. In front of each was a small altar for offerings, witha hollow in it, in which was an odoriferous essence. On a wooden standwere little images of the Gods and amulets in great number, and inseveral painted chests lay the clothes, the ornaments and the papersof the master. In the midst of the chamber stood a table and severalstool-shaped seats. 

When Paaker entered the room he found it lighted with lamps, and a largedog sprang joyfully to meet him. He let him spring upon him, threw himto the ground, let him once more rush upon him, and then kissed hisclever head. 

Before his bed an old negro of powerful build lay in deep sleep. Paakershoved him with his foot and called to him as he awoke--

"I am hungry. "

The grey-headed black man rose slowly, and left the room. 

As soon as he was alone Paaker drew the philter from his girdle, lookedat it tenderly, and put it in a box, in which there were several flasksof holy oils for sacrifice. He was accustomed every evening to fill thehollows in the altars with fresh essences, and to prostrate himself inprayer before the images of the Gods. To-day he stood before thestatue of his father, kissed its feet, and murmured: "Thy will shall bedone. --The woman whom thou didst intend for me shall indeed be mine--thyeldest son's. "

Then he walked to and fro and thought over the events of the day. 

At last he stood still, with his arms crossed, and looked defiantly atthe holy images; like a traveller who drives away a false guide, andthinks to find the road by himself. 

His eye fell on the arrows over his bed; he smiled, and striking hisbroad breast with his fist, he exclaimed, "I--I--I--"

His hound, who thought his master meant to call him, rushed up to him. He pushed him off and said--"If you meet a hyaena in the desert, youfall upon it without waiting till it is touched by my lance--and if theGods, my masters, delay, I myself will defend my right; but thou, " hecontinued turning to the image of his father, "thou wilt support me. "

This soliloquy was interrupted by the slaves who brought in his meal. 

Paaker glanced at the various dishes which the cook had prepared forhim, and asked: "How often shall I command that not a variety, but onlyone large dish shall be dressed for me? And the wine?"

"Thou art used never to touch it?" answered the old negro. 

"But to-day I wish for some, " said the pioneer. "Bring one of the oldjars of red wine of Kakem. "

The slaves looked at each other in astonishment; the wine was brought, and Paaker emptied beaker after beaker. When the servants had left him, the boldest among them said: "Usually the master eats like a lion, anddrinks like a midge, but to-day--"

"Hold your tongue!" cried his companion, "and come into the court, forPaaker has sent us out beer. The Hathors must have met him. "

The occurrences of the day must indeed have taken deep hold on theinmost soul of the pioneer; for he, the most sober of all the warriorsof Rameses, to whom intoxication was unknown, and who avoided thebanquets of his associates--now sat at the midnight hours, alone at histable, and toped till his weary head grew heavy. 

He collected himself, went towards his couch and drew the curtain whichconcealed the niche at the head of the bed. A female figure, withthe head-dress and attributes of the Goddess Hathor, made of paintedlimestone, revealed itself. 

Her countenance had the features of the wife of Mena. 

The king, four years since, had ordered a sculptor to execute a sacredimage with the lovely features of the newly-married bride of hischarioteer, and Paaker had succeeded in having a duplicate made. 

He now knelt down on the couch, gazed on the image with moist eyes, looked cautiously around to see if he was alone, leaned forward, presseda kiss to the delicate, cold stone lips; laid down and went to sleepwithout undressing himself, and leaving the lamps to burn themselvesout. 

Restless dreams disturbed his spirit, and when the dawn grew grey, hescreamed out, tormented by a hideous vision, so pitifully, that the oldnegro, who had laid himself near the dog at the foot of his bed, sprangup alarmed, and while the dog howled, called him by his name to wakehim. 

Paaker awoke with a dull head-ache. The vision which had tormented himstood vividly before his mind, and he endeavored to retain it that hemight summon a haruspex to interpret it. After the morbid fancies of thepreceding evening he felt sad and depressed. 

The morning-hymn rang into his room with a warning voice from the templeof Amon; he cast off evil thoughts, and resolved once more to resign theconduct of his fate to the Gods, and to renounce all the arts of magic. 

As he was accustomed, he got into the bath that was ready for him. Whilesplashing in the tepid water he thought with ever increasing eagernessof Nefert and of the philter which at first he had meant not to offer toher, but which actually was given to her by his hand, and which might bythis time have begun to exercise its charm. 

Love placed rosy pictures--hatred set blood-red images before his eyes. He strove to free himself from the temptations, which more and moretightly closed in upon him, but it was with him as with a man who hasfallen into a bog, who, the more vehemently he tries to escape from themire, sinks the deeper. 

As the sun rose, so rose his vital energy and his self-confidence, andwhen he prepared to quit his dwelling, in his most costly clothing, hehad arrived once more at the decision of the night before, and had againresolved to fight for his purpose, without--and if need were--againstthe Gods. 

The Mohar had chosen his road, and he never turned back when once he hadbegun a journey. 

CHAPTER IX. 

It was noon: the rays of the sun found no way into the narrow shadystreets of the city of Thebes, but they blazed with scorching heat onthe broad dyke-road which led to the king's castle, and which at thishour was usually almost deserted. 

To-day it was thronged with foot-passengers and chariots, with ridersand litter-bearers. 

Here and there negroes poured water on the road out of skins, but thedust was so deep, that, in spite of this, it shrouded the streets andthe passengers in a dry cloud, which extended not only over the city, but down to the harbor where the boats of the inhabitants of theNecropolis landed their freight. 

The city of the Pharaohs was in unwonted agitation, for the storm-swiftbreath of rumor had spread some news which excited both alarm and hopein the huts of the poor as well as in the palaces of the great. 

In the early morning three mounted messengers had arrived from theking's camp with heavy letter-bags, and had dismounted at the Regent'spalace. 

 [The Egyptians were great letter-writers, and many of their letters have come down to us, they also had established postmen, and had a word for them in their language "fai chat. "]

As after a long drought the inhabitants of a village gaze up at theblack thunder-cloud that gathers above their heads promising therefreshing rain--but that may also send the kindling lightning-flash orthe destroying hail-storm--so the hopes and the fears of the citizenswere centred on the news which came but rarely and at irregularintervals from the scene of war; for there was scarcely a house inthe huge city which had not sent a father, a son, or a relative to thefighting hosts of the king in the distant northeast. 

And though the couriers from the camp were much oftener the heralds oftears than of joy; though the written rolls which they brought told moreoften of death and wounds than of promotion, royal favors, and conqueredspoil, yet they were expected with soul-felt longing and received withshouts of joy. 

Great and small hurried after their arrival to the Regent's palace, andthe scribes--who distributed the letters and read the news which wasintended for public communication, and the lists of those who had fallenor perished--were closely besieged with enquirers. 

Man has nothing harder to endure than uncertainty, and generally, whenin suspense, looks forward to bad rather than to good news. And thebearers of ill ride faster than the messengers of weal. 

The Regent Ani resided in a building adjoining the king's palace. Hisbusiness-quarters surrounded an immensely wide court, and consisted ofa great number of rooms opening on to this court, in which numerousscribes worked with their chief. On the farther side was a large, veranda-like hall open at the front, with a roof supported by pillars. 

Here Ani was accustomed to hold courts of justice, and to receiveofficers, messengers, and petitioners. To-day he sat, visible to allcomers, on a costly throne in this hall, surrounded by his numerousfollowers, and overlooking the crowd of people whom the guardians of thepeace guided with long staves, admitting them in troops into the courtof the "High Gate, " and then again conducting them out. 

What he saw and heard was nothing joyful, for from each groupsurrounding a scribe arose a cry of woe. Few and far between were thosewho had to tell of the rich booty that had fallen to their friends. 

An invisible web woven of wailing and tears seemed to envelope theassembly. 

Here men were lamenting and casting dust upon their heads, there womenwere rending their clothes, shrieking loudly, and crying as they wavedtheir veils "oh, my husband! oh, my father! oh, my brother!"

Parents who had received the news of the death of their son fell on eachother's neck weeping; old men plucked out their grey hair and beard;young women beat their forehead and breast, or implored the scribeswho read out the lists to let them see for themselves the name of thebeloved one who was for ever torn from them. 

The passionate stirring of a soul, whether it be the result of joy or ofsorrow, among us moderns covers its features with a veil, which it hadno need of among the ancients. 

Where the loudest laments sounded, a restless little being might be seenhurrying from group to group; it was Nemu, Katuti's dwarf, whom we know. 

Now he stood near a woman of the better class, dissolved in tearsbecause her husband had fallen in the last battle. 

"Can you read?" he asked her; "up there on the architrave is the nameof Rameses, with all his titles. Dispenser of life, ' he is called. Ayeindeed; he can create--widows; for he has all the husbands killed. "

Before the astonished woman could reply, he stood by a man sunk in woe, and pulling his robe, said "Finer fellows than your son have never beenseen in Thebes. Let your youngest starve, or beat him to a cripple, else he also will be dragged off to Syria; for Rameses needs much goodEgyptian meat for the Syrian vultures. "

The old man, who had hitherto stood there in silent despair, clenchedhis fist. The dwarf pointed to the Regent, and said: "If he therewielded the sceptre, there would be fewer orphans and beggars by theNile. To-day its sacred waters are still sweet, but soon it will tasteas salt as the north sea with all the tears that have been shed on itsbanks. "

It almost seemed as if the Regent had heard these words, for he rosefrom his seat and lifted his hands like a man who is lamenting. 

Many of the bystanders observed this action; and loud cries of anguishfilled the wide courtyard, which was soon cleared by soldiers to makeroom for other troops of people who were thronging in. 

While these gathered round the scribes, the Regent Ani sat with quietdignity on the throne, surrounded by his suite and his secretaries, andheld audiences. 

He was a man at the close of his fortieth year and the favorite cousinof the king. 

Rameses I. , the grandfather of the reigning monarch, had deposed thelegitimate royal family, and usurped the sceptre of the Pharaohs. Hedescended from a Semitic race who had remained in Egypt at the time ofthe expulsion of the Hyksos, [These were an eastern race who migrated from Asia into Egypt, conquered the lower Nile-valley, and ruled over it for nearly 500 years, till they were driven out by the successors of the old legitimate Pharaohs, whose dominion had been confined to upper Egypt. ]

and had distinguished itself by warlike talents under Thotmes andAmenophis. After his death he was succeeded by his son Seti, whosought to earn a legitimate claim to the throne by marrying Tuaa, thegrand-daughter of Amenophis III. She presented him with an only son, whom he named after his father Rameses. This prince might lay claim toperfect legitimacy through his mother, who descended directly from theold house of sovereigns; for in Egypt a noble family--even that of thePharaohs--might be perpetuated through women. 

Seti proclaimed Rameses partner of his throne, so as to remove all doubtas to the validity of his position. The young nephew of his wife Tuaa, the Regent Ani, who was a few years younger than Rameses, he caused tobe brought up in the House of Seti, and treated him like his own son, while the other members of the dethroned royal family were robbed oftheir possessions or removed altogether. 

Ani proved himself a faithful servant to Seti, and to his son, and wastrusted as a brother by the warlike and magnanimous Rameses, who howevernever disguised from himself the fact that the blood in his own veinswas less purely royal than that which flowed in his cousin's. 

It was required of the race of the Pharaohs of Egypt that it should bedescended from the Sun-god Ra, and the Pharaoh could boast of this highdescent only through his mother--Ani through both parents. 

But Rameses sat on the throne, held the sceptre with a strong hand, andthirteen young sons promised to his house the lordship over Egypt to alleternity. 

When, after the death of his warlike father, he went to fresh conquestsin the north, he appointed Ani, who had proved himself worthy asgovernor of the province of Kush, to the regency of the kingdom. 

A vehement character often over estimates the man who is endowed witha quieter temperament, into whose nature he cannot throw himself, andwhose excellences he is unable to imitate; so it happened that thedeliberate and passionless nature of his cousin impressed the fiery andwarlike Rameses. 

Ani appeared to be devoid of ambition, or the spirit of enterprise; heaccepted the dignity that was laid upon him with apparent reluctance, and seemed a particularly safe person, because he had lost both wife andchild, and could boast of no heir. 

He was a man of more than middle height; his features were remarkablyregular--even beautifully, cut, but smooth and with little expression. His clear blue eyes and thin lips gave no evidence of the emotions thatfilled his heart; on the contrary, his countenance wore a soft smilethat could adapt itself to haughtiness, to humility, and to a variety ofshades of feeling, but which could never be entirely banished from hisface. 

He had listened with affable condescension to the complaint of a landedproprietor, whose cattle had been driven off for the king's army, andhad promised that his case should be enquired into. The plundered manwas leaving full of hope; but when the scribe who sat at the feet of theRegent enquired to whom the investigation of this encroachment of thetroops should be entrusted, Ani said: "Each one must bring a victim tothe war; it must remain among the things that are done, and cannot beundone. "

The Nomarch--[Chief of a Nome or district. ]--of Suan, in the southernpart of the country, asked for funds for a necessary, new embankment. The Regent listened to his eager representation with benevolence, naywith expressions of sympathy; but assured him that the war absorbedall the funds of the state, that the chests were empty; still he feltinclined--even if they had not failed--to sacrifice a part of his ownincome to preserve the endangered arable land of his faithful provinceof Suan, to which he desired greeting. 

As soon as the Nomarch had left him, he commanded that a considerablesum should be taken out of the Treasury, and sent after the petitioner. 

From time to time in the middle of conversation, he arose, and made agesture of lamentation, to show to the assembled mourners in the courtthat he sympathized in the losses which had fallen on them. 

The sun had already passed the meridian, when a disturbance, accompaniedby loud cries, took possession of the masses of people, who stood roundthe scribes in the palace court. 

Many men and women were streaming together towards one spot, and eventhe most impassive of the Thebans present turned their attention to anincident so unusual in this place. 

A detachment of constabulary made a way through the crushing and yellingmob, and another division of Lybian police led a prisoner towards a sidegate of the court. Before they could reach it, a messenger came up withthem, from the Regent, who desired to be informed as to what happened. 

The head of the officers of public safety followed him, and with eagerexcitement informed Ani, who was waiting for him, that a tiny man, thedwarf of the Lady Katuti, had for several hours been going about inthe court, and endeavoring to poison the minds of the citizens withseditious speeches. 

Ani ordered that the misguided man should be thrown into the dungeon;but so soon as the chief officer had left him, he commanded hissecretary to have the dwarf brought into his presence before sundown. 

While he was giving this order an excitement of another kind seized theassembled multitude. 

As the sea parted and stood on the right hand and on the left of theHebrews, so that no wave wetted the foot of the pursued fugitives, so the crowd of people of their own free will, but as if in reverentsubmission to some high command, parted and formed a broad way, throughwhich walked the high-priest of the House of Seti, as, full robed andaccompanied by some of the "holy fathers, " he now entered the court. 

The Regent went to meet him, bowed before him, and then withdrew to theback of the hall with him alone. "It is nevertheless incredible, " saidAmeni, "that our serfs are to follow the militia!"

"Rameses requires soldiers--to conquer, " replied the Regent. 

"And we bread--to live, " exclaimed the priest. 

"Nevertheless I am commanded, at once, before the seed-time, to levythe temple-serfs. I regret the order, but the king is the will, and I amonly the hand. "

"The hand, which he makes use of to sequester ancient rights, and toopen a way to the desert over the fruitful land. "

 ["With good management, " said the first Napoleon, "the Nile encroaches upon the desert, with bad management the desert encroaches upon the Nile. "]

"Your acres will not long remain unprovided for. Rameses will win newvictories with the increased army, and the help of the Gods. "

"The Gods! whom he insults!"

"After the conclusion of peace he will reconcile the Gods by doubly richgifts. He hopes confidently for an early end to the war, and writes tome that after the next battle he wins he intends to offer terms to theCheta. A plan of the king's is also spoken of--to marry again, and, indeed, the daughter of the Cheta King Chetasar. "

Up to this moment the Regent had kept his eyes cast down. Now he raisedthem, smiling, as if he would fain enjoy Ameni's satisfaction, andasked:

"What dost thou say to this project?"

"I say, " returned Ameni, and his voice, usually so stern, took a toneof amusement, "I say that Rameses seems to think that the blood of thycousin and of his mother, which gives him his right to the throne, isincapable of pollution. "

"It is the blood of the Sun-god!"

"Which runs but half pure in his veins, but wholly pure in thine. "

The Regent made a deprecatory gesture, and said softly, with a smilewhich resembled that of a dead man:

"We are not alone. "

"No one is here, " said Ameni, "who can hear us; and what I say is knownto every child. "

"But if it came to the king's ears--" whispered Ani, "he--"

"He would perceive how unwise it is to derogate from the ancient rightsof those on whom it is incumbent to prove the purity of blood of thesovereign of this land. However, Rameses sits on the throne; may lifebloom for him, with health and strength!"--[A formula which even inprivate letters constantly follows the name of the Pharaoh. ]

The Regent bowed, and then asked:

"Do you propose to obey the demand of the Pharaoh without delay?"

"He is the king. Our council, which will meet in a few days, can onlydetermine how, and not whether we shall fulfil his command. "

"You will retard the departure of the serfs, and Rameses requires themat once. The bloody labor of the war demands new tools. "

"And the peace will perhaps demand a new master, who understands how toemploy the sons of the land to its greatest advantage--a genuine son ofRa. "

The Regent stood opposite the high-priest, motionless as an image castin bronze, and remained silent; but Ameni lowered his staff before himas before a god, and then went into the fore part of the hall. 

When Ani followed him, a soft smile played as usual upon hiscountenance, and full of dignity he took his seat on the throne. 

"Art thou at an end of thy communications?" he asked the high-priest. 

"It remains for me to inform you all, " replied Ameni with a loudervoice, to be heard by all the assembled dignitaries, "that the princessBent-Anat yesterday morning committed a heavy sin, and that in all thetemples in the land the Gods shall be entreated with offerings to takeher uncleanness from her. "

Again a shadow passed over the smile on the Regent's countenance. Helooked meditatively on the ground, and then said:

"To-morrow I will visit the House of Seti; till then I beg that thisaffair may be left to rest. "

Ameni bowed, and the Regent left the hall to withdraw to a wing of theking's palace, in which he dwelt. 

On his writing-table lay sealed papers. He knew that they containedimportant news for him; but he loved to do violence to his curiosity, totest his resolution, and like an epicure to reserve the best dish tillthe last. 

He now glanced first at some unimportant letters. A dumb negro, whosquatted at his feet, burned the papyrus rolls which his master gave himin a brazier. A secretary made notes of the short facts which Ani calledout to him, and the ground work was laid of the answers to the differentletters. 

At a sign from his master this functionary quitted the room, and Anithen slowly opened a letter from the king, whose address: "To my brotherAni, " showed that it contained, not public, but private information. 

On these lines, as he well knew, hung his future life, and the road itshould follow. 

With a smile, that was meant to conceal even from himself his deepinward agitation, he broke the wax which sealed the short manuscript inthe royal hand. 

"What relates to Egypt, and my concern for my country, and the happyissue of the war, " wrote the Pharaoh, "I have written to you by the handof my secretary; but these words are for the brother, who desires to bemy son, and I write to him myself. The lordly essence of the Divinitywhich dwells in me, readily brings a quick 'Yes' or 'No' to my lips, andit decides for the best. Now you demand my daughter Bent-Anat to wife, and I should not be Rameses if I did not freely confess that before Ihad read the last words of your letter, a vehement 'No' rushed tomy lips. I caused the stars to be consulted, and the entrails of thevictims to be examined, and they were adverse to your request; and yet Icould not refuse you, for you are dear to me, and your blood is royal asmy own. Even more royal, an old friend said, and warned me against yourambition and your exaltation. Then my heart changed, for I werenot Seti's son if I allow myself to injure a friend through idleapprehensions; and he who stands so high that men fear that he may tryto rise above Rameses, seems to me to be worthy of Bent-Anat. Woo her, and, should she consent freely, the marriage may be celebrated on theday when I return home. You are young enough to make a wife happy, andyour mature wisdom will guard my child from misfortune. Bent-Anat shallknow that her father, and king, encourages your suit; but pray too tothe Hathors, that they may influence Bent-Anat's heart in your favor, for to her decision we must both submit. "

The Regent had changed color several times while reading this letter. Now he laid it on the table with a shrug of his shoulders, stood up, clasped his hand behind him, and, with his eyes cast meditatively on thefloor, leaned against one of the pillars which supported the beams ofthe roof. 

The longer he thought, the less amiable his expression became. "A pillsweetened with honey, [Two recipes for pills are found in the papyri, one with honey for women, and one without for men. ]

such as they give to women, " he muttered to himself. Then he went backto the table, read the king's letter through once more, and said: "Onemay learn from it how to deny by granting, and at the same time not toforget to give it a brilliant show of magnanimity. Rameses knows hisdaughter. She is a girl like any other, and will take good care notto choose a man twice as old as herself, and who might be her father. Rameses will 'submit'--I am to I submit!' And to what? to the judgmentand the choice of a wilful child!"

With these words he threw the letter so vehemently on to the table, thatit slipped off on to the floor. 

The mute slave picked it up, and laid it carefully on the table again, while his master threw a ball into a silver bason. 

Several attendants rushed into the room, and Ani ordered them tobring to him the captive dwarf of the Lady Katuti. His soul rose inindignation against the king, who in his remote camp-tent could fancy hehad made him happy by a proof of his highest favor. When we are plottingagainst a man we are inclined to regard him as an enemy, and if heoffers us a rose we believe it to be for the sake, not of the perfume, but of the thorns. 

The dwarf Nemu was brought before the Regent and threw himself on theground at his feet. 

Ani ordered the attendants to leave him, and said to the little man

"You compelled me to put you in prison. Stand up!" The dwarf rose andsaid, "Be thanked--for my arrest too. "

The Regent looked at him in astonishment; but Nemu went on half humbly, half in fun, "I feared for my life, but thou hast not only not shortenedit, but hast prolonged it; for in the solitude of the dungeon timeseemed long, and the minutes grown to hours. "

"Keep your wit for the ladies, " replied the Regent. "Did I not know thatyou meant well, and acted in accordance with the Lady Katuti's fancy, Iwould send you to the quarries. "

"My hands, " mumbled the dwarf, "could only break stones for a game ofdraughts; but my tongue is like the water, which makes one peasant rich, and carries away the fields of another. "

"We shall know how to dam it up. "

"For my lady and for thee it will always flow the right way, " said thedwarf. "I showed the complaining citizens who it is that slaughterstheir flesh and blood, and from whom to look for peace and content. Ipoured caustic into their wounds, and praised the physician. "

"But unasked and recklessly, " interrupted Ani; "otherwise you have shownyourself capable, and I am willing to spare you for a future time. Butoverbusy friends are more damaging than intelligent enemies. When I needyour services I will call for you. Till then avoid speech. Now go toyour mistress, and carry to Katuti this letter which has arrived forher. "

"Hail to Ani, the son of the Sun!" cried the dwarf kissing the Regent'sfoot. "Have I no letter to carry to my mistress Nefert?"

"Greet her from me, " replied the Regent. "Tell Katuti I will visit herafter the next meal. The king's charioteer has not written, yet I hearthat he is well. Go now, and be silent and discreet. "

The dwarf quitted the room, and Ani went into an airy hall, in whichhis luxurious meal was laid out, consisting of many dishes prepared withspecial care. His appetite was gone, but he tasted of every dish, andgave the steward, who attended on him, his opinion of each. 

Meanwhile he thought of the king's letter, of Bent-Anat, and whether itwould be advisable to expose himself to a rejection on her part. 

After the meal he gave himself up to his body-servant, who carefullyshaved, painted, dressed, and decorated him, and then held the mirrorbefore him. 

He considered the reflection with anxious observation, and when heseated himself in his litter to be borne to the house of his friendKatuti, he said to himself that he still might claim to be called ahandsome man. 

If he paid his court to Bent-Anat--if she listened to his suit--whatthen?

He would refer it to Katuti, who always knew how to say a decisive wordwhen he, entangled in a hundred pros and cons, feared to venture on afinal step. 

By her advice he had sought to wed the princess, as a fresh mark ofhonor--as an addition to his revenues--as a pledge for his personalsafety. His heart had never been more or less attached to her than toany other beautiful woman in Egypt. Now her proud and noble personalitystood before his inward eye, and he felt as if he must look up to itas to a vision high out of his reach. It vexed him that he had followedKatuti's advice, and he began to wish his suit had been repulsed. Marriage with Bent-Anat seemed to him beset with difficulties. His moodwas that of a man who craves some brilliant position, though he knowsthat its requirements are beyond his powers--that of an ambitious soulto whom kingly honors are offered on condition that he will never removea heavy crown from his head. If indeed another plan should succeed, if--and his eyes flashed eagerly--if fate set him on the seat ofRameses, then the alliance with Bent-Anat would lose its terrors; therewould he be her absolute King and Lord and Master, and no one couldrequire him to account for what he might be to her, or vouchsafe to her. 

CHAPTER X. 

During the events we have described the house of the charioteer Mena hadnot remained free from visitors. 

It resembled the neighboring estate of Paaker, though the buildingswere less new, the gay paint on the pillars and walls was faded, andthe large garden lacked careful attention. In the vicinity of the houseonly, a few well-kept beds blazed with splendid flowers, and the opencolonnade, which was occupied by Katuti and her daughter, was furnishedwith royal magnificence. 

The elegantly carved seats were made of ivory, the tables of ebony, andthey, as well as the couches, had gilt feet. The artistically workedSyrian drinking vessels on the sideboard, tables, and consoles wereof many forms; beautiful vases full of flowers stood everywhere; rareperfumes rose from alabaster cups, and the foot sank in the thick pileof the carpets which covered the floor. 

And over the apparently careless arrangement of these various objectsthere reigned a peculiar charm, an indescribably fascinating something. 

Stretched at full-length on a couch, and playing with asilky-haired white cat, lay the fair Nefert--fanned to coolness by anegro-girl--while her mother Katuti nodded a last farewell to her sisterSetchem and to Paaker. 

Both had crossed this threshold for the first time for four years, thatis since the marriage of Mena with Nefert, and the old enmity seemed nowto have given way to heartfelt reconciliation and mutual understanding. 

After the pioneer and his mother had disappeared behind the pomegranateshrubs at the entrance of the garden, Katuti turned to her daughter andsaid:

"Who would have thought it yesterday? I believe Paaker loves you still. "

Nefert colored, and exclaimed softly, while she hit the kitten gentlywith her fan--

"Mother!"

Katuti smiled. 

She was a tall woman of noble demeanor, whose sharp but delicately-cutfeatures and sparkling eyes could still assert some pretensions tofeminine beauty. She wore a long robe, which reached below herankles; it was of costly material, but dark in color, and of a studiedsimplicity. Instead of the ornaments in bracelets, anklets, ear andfinger-rings, in necklaces and clasps, which most of the Egyptianladies--and indeed her own sister and daughter--were accustomed to wear, she had only fresh flowers, which were never wanting in the gardenof her son-in-law. Only a plain gold diadem, the badge of her royaldescent, always rested, from early morning till late at night, on herhigh brow--for a woman too high, though nobly formed--and confined thelong blue-black hair, which fell unbraided down her back, as if itsowner contemned the vain labor of arranging it artistically. But nothingin her exterior was unpremeditated, and the unbejewelled wearer of thediadem, in her plain dress, and with her royal figure, was everywheresure of being observed, and of finding imitators of her dress, andindeed of her demeanor. 

And yet Katuti had long lived in need; aye at the very hour when wefirst make her acquaintance, she had little of her own, but lived on theestate of her son-in-law as his guest, and as the administrator of hispossessions; and before the marriage of her daughter she had lived withher children in a house belonging to her sister Setchem. 

She had been the wife of her own brother, [Marriages between brothers and sisters were allowed in ancient Egypt. The Ptolemaic princes adopted this, which was contrary to the Macedonian customs. When Ptolemy II. Philadelphus married his sister Arsinoe, it seems to have been thought necessary to excuse it by the relative positions of Venus and Saturn at that period, and the constraining influences of these planets. ]

who had died young, and who had squandered the greatest part of thepossessions which had been left to him by the new royal family, in anextravagant love of display. 

When she became a widow, she was received as a sister with her childrenby her brother-in-law, Paaker's father. She lived in a house of her own, enjoyed the income of an estate assigned to her by the old Mohar, andleft to her son-in-law the care of educating her son, a handsome andoverbearing lad, with all the claims and pretensions of a youth ofdistinction. 

Such great benefits would have oppressed and disgraced the proud Katuti, if she had been content with them and in every way agreed with thegiver. But this was by no means the case; rather, she believed that shemight pretend to a more brilliant outward position, felt herself hurtwhen her heedless son, while he attended school, was warned to work moreseriously, as he would by and by have to rely on his own skill andhis own strength. And it had wounded her when occasionally herbrother-in-law had suggested economy, and had reminded her, in hisstraightforward way, of her narrow means, and the uncertain future ofher children. 

At this she was deeply offended, for she ventured to say that herrelatives could never, with all their gifts, compensate for the insultsthey heaped upon her; and thus taught them by experience that we quarrelwith no one more readily than with the benefactor whom we can neverrepay for all the good he bestows on us. 

Nevertheless, when her brother-in-law asked the hand of her daughter forhis son, she willingly gave her consent. 

Nefert and Paaker had grown up together, and by this union she foresawthat she could secure her own future and that of her children. 

Shortly after the death of the Mohar, the charioteer Mena had proposedfor Nefert's hand, but would have been refused if the king himself hadnot supported the suit of his favorite officer. After the wedding, sheretired with Nefert to Mena's house, and undertook, while he was atthe war, to manage his great estates, which however had been greatlyburthened with debt by his father. 

Fate put the means into her hands of indemnifying herself and herchildren for many past privations, and she availed herself of themto gratify her innate desire to be esteemed and admired; to obtainadmission for her son, splendidly equipped, into a company ofchariot-warriors of the highest class; and to surround her daughter withprincely magnificence. 

When the Regent, who had been a friend of her late husband, removed intothe palace of the Pharaohs, he made her advances, and the clever anddecided woman knew how to make herself at first agreeable, and finallyindispensable, to the vacillating man. 

She availed herself of the circumstance that she, as well as he, wasdescended from the old royal house to pique his ambition, and to open tohim a view, which even to think of, he would have considered forbiddenas a crime, before he became intimate with her. 

Ani's suit for the hand of the princess Bent-Anat was Katuti's work. Shehoped that the Pharoah would refuse, and personally offend the Regent, and so make him more inclined to tread the dangerous road which she wasendeavoring to smooth for him. The dwarf Nemu was her pliant tool. 

She had not initiated him into her projects by any words; he howevergave utterance to every impulse of her mind in free language, which waspunished only with blows from a fan, and, only the day before, had beenso audacious as to say that if the Pharoah were called Ani instead ofRameses, Katuti would be not a queen but a goddess for she would thenhave not to obey, but rather to guide, the Pharaoh, who indeed himselfwas related to the Immortals. 

Katuti did not observe her daughter's blush, for she was lookinganxiously out at the garden gate, and said:

"Where can Nemu be! There must be some news arrived for us from thearmy. "

"Mena has not written for so long, " Nefert said softly. "Ah! here is thesteward!"

Katuti turned to the officer, who had entered the veranda through a sidedoor:

"What do you bring, " she asked. 

"The dealer Abscha, " was the answer, "presses for payment. The newSyrian chariot and the purple cloth--"

"Sell some corn, " ordered Katuti. 

"Impossible, for the tribute to the temples is not yet paid, and alreadyso much has been delivered to the dealers that scarcely enough remainsover for the maintenance of the household and for sowing. "

"Then pay with beasts. "

"But, madam, " said the steward sorrowfully, "only yesterday, we againsold a herd to the Mohar; and the water-wheels must be turned, andthe corn must be thrashed, and we need beasts for sacrifice, and milk, butter, and cheese, for the use of the house, and dung for firing. "

 [In Egypt, where there is so little wood, to this day the dried dung of beasts is the commonest kind of fuel. ]

Katuti looked thoughtfully at the ground. 

"It must be, " she said presently. "Ride to Hermonthis, and say to thekeeper of the stud that he must have ten of Mena's golden bays drivenover here. "

"I have already spoken to him, " said the steward, "but he maintains thatMena strictly forbade him to part with even one of the horses, for he isproud of the stock. Only for the chariot of the lady Nefert. "

"I require obedience, " said Katuti decidedly and cutting short thesteward's words, "and I expect the horses to-morrow. "

"But the stud-master is a daring man, whom Mena looks upon asindispensable, and he--"

"I command here, and not the absent, " cried Katuti enraged, "and Irequire the horses in spite of the former orders of my son-in-law. "

Nefert, during this conversation, pulled herself up from her indolentattitude. On hearing the last words she rose from her couch, and said, with a decision which surprised even her mother--

"The orders of my husband must be obeyed. The horses that Mena lovesshall stay in their stalls. Take this armlet that the king gave me; itis worth more than twenty horses. "

The steward examined the trinket, richly set with precious stones, and looked enquiringly at Katuti. She shrugged her shoulders, noddedconsent, and said--

"Abscha shall hold it as a pledge till Mena's booty arrives. For a yearyour husband has sent nothing of importance. "

When the steward was gone, Nefert stretched herself again on her couchand said wearily:

"I thought we were rich. "

"We might be, " said Katuti bitterly; but as she perceived that Nefert'scheeks again were glowing, she said amiably, "Our high rank imposesgreat duties on us. Princely blood flows in our veins, and the eyesof the people are turned on the wife of the most brilliant hero in theking's army. They shall not say that she is neglected by her husband. How long Mena remains away!"

"I hear a noise in the court, " said Nefert. "The Regent is coming. "

Katuti turned again towards the garden. 

A breathless slave rushed in, and announced that Bent-Anat, the daughterof the king, had dismounted at the gate, and was approaching the gardenwith the prince Rameri. 

Nefert left her couch, and went with her mother to meet the exaltedvisitors. 

As the mother and daughter bowed to kiss the robe of the princess, Bent-Anat signed them back from her. "Keep farther from me, " she said;"the priests have not yet entirely absolved me from my uncleanness. "

"And in spite of them thou art clean in the sight of Ra!" exclaimed theboy who accompanied her, her brother of seventeen, who was brought up atthe House of Seti, which however he was to leave in a few weeks--and hekissed her. 

"I shall complain to Ameni of this wild boy, " said Bent-Anat smiling. "He would positively accompany me. Your husband, Nefert, is his model, and I had no peace in the house, for we came to bring you good news. "

"From Mena?" asked the young wife, pressing her hand to her heart. 

"As you say, " returned Bent-Anat. "My father praises his ability, andwrites that he, before all others, will have his choice at the dividingof the spoil. "

Nefert threw a triumphant glance at her mother, and Katuti drew a deepbreath. 

Bent-Anat stroked Nefert's cheeks like those of a child. Then she turnedto Katuti, led her into the garden, and begged her to aid her, who hadso early lost her mother, with her advice in a weighty matter. 

"My father, " she continued, after a few introductory words, "informs methat the Regent Ani desires me for his wife, and advises me to rewardthe fidelity of the worthy man with my hand. He advises it, youunderstand-he does not command. "

"And thou?" asked Katuti. 

"And I, " replied Bent-Anat decidedly, "must refuse him. "

"Thou must!"

Bent-Anat made a sign of assent and went on:

"It is quite clear to me. I can do nothing else. "

"Then thou dost not need my counsel, since even thy father, I well know, will not be able to alter thy decision. "

"Not God even, " said Anat firmly. "But you are Ani's friend, and as Iesteem him, I would save him from this humiliation. Endeavor to persuadehim to give up his suit. I will meet him as though I knew nothing of hisletter to my father. "

Katuti looked down reflectively. Then she said--"The Regent certainlylikes very well to pass his hours of leisure with me gossiping orplaying draughts, but I do not know that I should dare to speak to himof so grave a matter. "

"Marriage-projects are women's affairs, " said Bent-Anat, smiling. 

"But the marriage of a princess is a state event, " replied the widow. "In this case it is true the uncle

 [Among the Orientals--and even the Spaniards--it was and is common to give the name of uncle to a parent's cousin. ]

only courts his niece, who is dear to him, and who he hopes will makethe second half of his life the brightest. Ani is kind and withoutseverity. Thou would'st win in him a husband, who would wait on thylooks, and bow willingly to thy strong will. "

Bent-Anat's eyes flashed, and she hastily exclaimed: "That is exactlywhat forces the decisive irrevocable 'No' to my lips. Do you think thatbecause I am as proud as my mother, and resolute like my father, that Iwish for a husband whom I could govern and lead as I would? How littleyou know me! I will be obeyed by my dogs, my servants, my officers, ifthe Gods so will it, by my children. Abject beings, who will kiss myfeet, I meet on every road, and can buy by the hundred, if I wish it, in the slave market. I may be courted twenty times, and reject twentysuitors, but not because I fear that they might bend my pride and mywill; on the contrary, because I feel them increased. The man to whom Icould wish to offer my hand must be of a loftier stamp, must begreater, firmer, and better than I, and I will flutter after the mightywing-strokes of his spirit, and smile at my own weakness, and glory inadmiring his superiority. "

Katuti listened to the maiden with the smile by which the experiencedlove to signify their superiority over the visionary. 

"Ancient times may have produced such men, " she said. "But if in thesedays thou thinkest to find one, thou wilt wear the lock of youth, [The lock of youth was a curl of hair which all the younger members of princely families wore at the side of the head. The young Horus is represented with it. ]

till thou art grey. Our thinkers are no heroes, and our heroes are nosages. Here come thy brother and Nefert. "

"Will you persuade Ani to give up his suit!" said the princess urgently. 

"I will endeavor to do so, for thy sake, " replied Katuti. Then, turninghalf to the young Rameri and half to his sister, she said:

"The chief of the House of Seti, Ameni, was in his youth such a man asthou paintest, Bent-Anat. Tell us, thou son of Rameses, that art growingup under the young sycamores, which shall some day over-shadow theland-whom dost thou esteem the highest among thy companions? Is thereone among them, who is conspicuous above them all for a lofty spirit andstrength of intellect?"

The young Rameri looked gaily at the speaker, and said laughing: "We areall much alike, and do more or less willingly what we are compelled, andby preference every thing that we ought not. "

"A mighty soul--a youth, who promises to be a second Snefru, a Thotmes, or even an Amem? Dost thou know none such in the House of Seti?" askedthe widow. "Oh yes!" cried Rameri with eager certainty. 

"And he is--?" asked Katuti. 

"Pentaur, the poet, " exclaimed the youth. Bent-Anat's face glowed withscarlet color, while her, brother went on to explain. 

"He is noble and of a lofty soul, and all the Gods dwell in him whenhe speaks. Formerly we used to go to sleep in the lecture-hall; but hiswords carry us away, and if we do not take in the full meaning of histhoughts, yet we feel that they are genuine and noble. "

Bent-Anat breathed quicker at these words, and her eyes hung on theboy's lips. 

"You know him, Bent-Anat, " continued Rameri. "He was with you at theparaschites' house, and in the temple-court when Ameni pronounced youunclean. He is as tall and handsome as the God Mentli, and I feel thathe is one of those whom we can never forget when once we have seen them. Yesterday, after you had left the temple, he spoke as he never spokebefore; he poured fire into our souls. Do not laugh, Katuti, I feel itburning still. This morning we were informed that he had been sent fromthe temple, who knows where--and had left us a message of farewell. Itwas not thought at all necessary to communicate the reason to us; butwe know more than the masters think. He did not reprove you stronglyenough, Bent-Anat, and therefore he is driven out of the House ofSeti. We have agreed to combine to ask for him to be recalled; Anana isdrawing up a letter to the chief priest, which we shall all subscribe. It would turn out badly for one alone, but they cannot be at all of usat once. Very likely they will have the sense to recall him. If not, weshall all complain to our fathers, and they are not the meanest in theland. "

"It is a complete rebellion, " cried Katuti. "Take care, you lordlings;Ameni and the other prophets are not to be trifled with. "

"Nor we either, " said Rameri laughing, "If Pentaur is kept inbanishment, I shall appeal to my father to place me at the school atHeliopolis or Chennu, and the others will follow me. Come, Bent-Anat, I must be back in the trap before sunset. Excuse me, Katuti, so we callthe school. Here comes your little Nemu. "

The brother and sister left the garden. 

As soon as the ladies, who accompanied them, had turned their backs, Bent-Anat grasped her brother's hand with unaccustomed warmth, and said:

"Avoid all imprudence; but your demand is just, and I will help you withall my heart. "

CHAPTER XI. 

As soon as Bent-Anat had quitted Mena's domain, the dwarf Nemu enteredthe garden with a letter, and briefly related his adventures; but insuch a comical fashion that both the ladies laughed, and Katuti, with alively gaiety, which was usually foreign to her, while she warned him, at the same time praised his acuteness. She looked at the seal of theletter and said:

"This is a lucky day; it has brought us great things, and the promiseof greater things in the future. " Nefert came close up to her and saidimploringly: "Open the letter, and see if there is nothing in it fromhim. "

Katuti unfastened the wax, looked through the letter with a hastyglance, stroked the cheek of her child, and said:

"Perhaps your brother has written for him; I see no line in hishandwriting. "

Nefert on her side glanced at the letter, but not to read it, only toseek some trace of the well-known handwriting of her husband. 

Like all the Egyptian women of good family she could read, and duringthe first two years of her married life she had often--very often--hadthe opportunity of puzzling, and yet rejoicing, over the feeble signswhich the iron hand of the charioteer had scrawled on the papyrus forher whose slender fingers could guide the reed pen with firmness anddecision. 

She examined the letter, and at last said, with tears in her eyes:

"Nothing! I will go to my room, mother. "

Katuti kissed her and said, "Hear first what your brother writes. "

But Nefert shook her head, turned away in silence, and disappeared intothe house. 

Katuti was not very friendly to her son-in-law, but her heart clungto her handsome, reckless son, the very image of her lost husband, the favorite of women, and the gayest youth among the young nobles whocomposed the chariot-guard of the king. 

How fully he had written to-day--he who weilded the reed-pen solaboriously. 

This really was a letter; while, usually, he only asked in the fewestwords for fresh funds for the gratification of his extravagant tastes. 

This time she might look for thanks, for not long since he must havereceived a considerable supply, which she had abstracted from the incomeof the possessions entrusted to her by her son-in-law. 

She began to read. 

The cheerfulness, with which she had met the dwarf, was insincere, andhad resembled the brilliant colors of the rainbow, which gleam overthe stagnant waters of a bog. A stone falls into the pool, the colorsvanish, dim mists rise up, and it becomes foul and clouded. 

The news which her son's letter contained fell, indeed, like a block ofstone on Katuti's soul. 

Our deepest sorrows always flow from the same source as might havefilled us with joy, and those wounds burn the fiercest which areinflicted by a hand we love. 

The farther Katuti went in the lamentably incorrect epistle--which shecould only decipher with difficulty--which her darling had written toher, the paler grew her face, which she several times covered with hertrembling hands, from which the letter dropped. 

Nemu squatted on the earth near her, and followed all her movements. 

When she sprang forward with a heart-piercing scream, and pressed herforehead to a rough palmtrunk, he crept up to her, kissed her feet, andexclaimed with a depth of feeling that overcame even Katuti, who wasaccustomed to hear only gay or bitter speeches from the lips of herjester--

"Mistress! lady! what has happened?"

Katuti collected herself, turned to him, and tried to speak; but herpale lips remained closed, and her eyes gazed dimly into vacancy asthough a catalepsy had seized her. 

"Mistress! Mistress!" cried the dwarf again, with growing agitation. "What is the matter? shall I call thy daughter?"

Katuti made a sign with her hand, and cried feebly: "The wretches! thereprobates!"

Her breath began to come quickly, the blood mounted to her cheeksand her flashing eyes; she trod upon the letter, and wept so loud andpassionately, that the dwarf, who had never before seen tears in hereyes, raised himself timidly, and said in mild reproach: "Katuti!"

She laughed bitterly, and said with a trembling voice:

"Why do you call my name so loud! it is disgraced and degraded. Howthe nobles and the ladies will rejoice! Now envy can point at us withspiteful joy--and a minute ago I was praising this day! They say oneshould exhibit one's happiness in the streets, and conceal one's misery;on the contrary, on the contrary! Even the Gods should not know of one'shopes and joys, for they too are envious and spiteful!"

Again she leaned her head against the palm-tree. "Thou speakest ofshame, and not of death, " said Nemu, "and I learned from thee that oneshould give nothing up for lost excepting the dead. "

These words had a powerful effect on the agitated woman. Quickly andvehemently she turned upon the dwarf saying. 

"You are clever, and faithful too, so listen! but if you were Amonhimself there is nothing to be done--"

"We must try, " said Nemu, and his sharp eyes met those of his mistress. 

"Speak, " he said, "and trust me. Perhaps I can be of no use; but that Ican be silent thou knowest. "

"Before long the children in the streets will talk of what this tellsme, " said Katuti, laughing with bitterness, "only Nefert must knownothing of what has happened--nothing, mind; what is that? the Regentcoming! quick, fly; tell him I am suddenly taken ill, very ill; I cannotsee him, not now! No one is to be admitted--no one, do you hear?"

The dwarf went. 

When he came back after he had fulfilled his errand, he found hismistress still in a fever of excitement. 

"Listen, " she said; "first the smaller matter, then the frightful, theunspeakable. Rameses loads Mena with marks of his favor. It came to adivision of the spoils of war for the year; a great heap of treasure layready for each of his followers, and the charioteer had to choose beforeall the others. "

"Well?" said the dwarf. 

"Well!" echoed Katuti. "Well! how did the worthy householder care forhis belongings at home, how did he seek to relieve his indebted estate?It is disgraceful, hideous! He passed by the silver, the gold, thejewels, with a laugh; and took the captive daughter of the Danaidprinces, and led her into his tent. "

"Shameful!" muttered the dwarf. 

"Poor, poor Nefert!" cried Katuti, covering her face with her hands. 

"And what more?" asked Nemu hastily. 

"That, " said Katuti, "that is--but I will keep calm--quite calm andquiet. You know my son. He is heedless, but he loves me and his sistermore than anything in the world. I, fool as I was, to persuade himto economy, had vividly described our evil plight, and after thatdisgraceful conduct of Mena he thought of us and of our anxieties. Hisshare of the booty was small, and could not help us. His comrades threwdice for the shares they had obtained--he staked his to win more for us. He lost--all--all--and at last against an enormous sum, still thinkingof us, and only of us, he staked the mummy of his dead father. 

 [It was a king of the fourth dynasty, named Asychis by Herodotus, who it is admitted was the first to pledge the mummies of his ancestors. "He who stakes this pledge and fails to redeem the debt shall, after his death, rest neither in his father's tomb nor in any other, and sepulture shall be denied to his descendants. " Herod. 11. 136. ]

He lost. If he does not redeem the pledge before the expiration of thethird month, he will fall into infamy, the mummy will belong to thewinner, and disgrace and ignominy will be my lot and his. "

Katuti pressed her hands on her face, the dwarf muttered to himself, "The gambler and hypocrite!" When his mistress had grown calmer, hesaid:

"It is horrible, yet all is not lost. How much is the debt?"

It sounded like a heavy curse, when Katuti replied, "Thirty Babyloniantalents. "--[L7000 sterling in 1881. ]

The dwarf cried out, as if an asp had stung him. "Who dared to bidagainst such a mad stake?"

"The Lady Hathor's son, Antef, " answered Katuti, "who has alreadygambled away the inheritance of his fathers, in Thebes. "

"He will not remit one grain of wheat of his claim, " cried the dwarf. "And Mena?"

"How could my son turn to him after what had happened? The poor childimplores me to ask the assistance of the Regent. "

"Of the Regent?" said the dwarf, shaking his big head. "Impossible!"

"I know, as matters now stand; but his place, his name. "

"Mistress, " said the dwarf, and deep purpose rang in the words, "do notspoil the future for the sake of the present. If thy son loses his honorunder King Rameses, the future King, Ani, may restore it to him. If theRegent now renders you all an important service, he will regard you asamply paid when our efforts have succeeded, and he sits on the throne. He lets himself be led by thee now because thou hast no need of hishelp, and dost seem to work only for his sake, and for his elevation. As soon as thou hast appealed to him, and he has assisted thee, all thyconfidence and freedom will be gone, and the more difficult he findsit to raise so large a sum of money at once, the angrier he will be tothink that thou art making use of him. Thou knowest his circumstances. "

"He is in debt, " said Katuti. "I know that. "

"Thou should'st know it, " cried the dwarf, "for thou thyself hast forcedhim to enormous expenses. He has won the people of Thebes with dazzlingfestive displays; as guardian of Apis

 [When Apis (the sacred bull) died under Ptolemy I. Soter, his keepers spent not only the money which they had received for his maintenance, in his obsequies but borrowed 50 talents of silver from the king. In the time of Diodurus 100 talents were spent for the same purpose. ]

he gave a large donation to Memphis; he bestowed thousands on theleaders of the troops sent into Ethiopia, which were equipped by him;what his spies cost him at, the camp of the king, thou knowest. He hasborrowed sums of money from most of the rich men in the country, andthat is well, for so many creditors are so many allies. The Regent is abad debtor; but the king Ani, they reckon, will be a grateful payer. "

Katuti looked at the dwarf in astonishment. "You know men!" she said. 

"To my sorrow!" replied Nemu. "Do not apply to the Regent, and beforethou dost sacrifice the labor of years, and thy future greatness, andthat of those near to thee, sacrifice thy son's honor. "

"And my husband's, and my own?" exclaimed Katuti. "How can you know whatthat is! Honor is a word that the slave may utter, but whose meaning hecan never comprehend; you rub the weals that are raised on you by blows;to me every finger pointed at me in scorn makes a wound like an ashwoodlance with a poisoned tip of brass. Oh ye holy Gods! who can help us?"

The miserable woman pressed her hands over her eyes, as if to shut outthe sight of her own disgrace. The dwarf looked at her compassionately, and said in a changed tone:

"Dost thou remember the diamond which fell out of Nefert's handsomestring? We hunted for it, and could not find it. Next day, as I was goingthrough the room, I trod on something hard; I stooped down and found thestone. What the noble organ of sight, the eye, overlooked, the callousdespised sole of the foot found; and perhaps the small slave, Nemu, whoknows nothing of honor, may succeed in finding a mode of escape which isnot revealed to the lofty soul of his mistress!"

"What are you thinking of?" asked Katuti. 

"Escape, " answered the dwarf. "Is it true that thy sister Setchem hasvisited thee, and that you are reconciled?"

"She offered me her hand, and I took it?"

"Then go to her. Men are never more helpful than after a reconciliation. The enmity they have driven out, seems to leave as it were afreshly-healed wound which must be touched with caution; and Setchem isof thy own blood, and kind-hearted. "

"She is not rich, " replied Katuti. "Every palm in her garden comes fromher husband, and belongs to her children. "

"Paaker, too, was with you?"

"Certainly only by the entreaty of his mother--he hates my son-in-law. "

"I know it, " muttered the dwarf, "but if Nefert would ask him?"

The widow drew herself up indignantly. She felt that she had allowed thedwarf too much freedom, and ordered him to leave her alone. 

Nemu kissed her robe and asked timidly:

"Shall I forget that thou hast trusted me, or am I permitted to considerfurther as to thy son's safety?" Katuti stood for a moment undecided, then she said:

"You were clever enough to find what I carelessly dropped; perhaps someGod may show you what I ought to do. Now leave me. "

"Wilt thou want me early to-morrow?"

"No. "

"Then I will go to the Necropolis, and offer a sacrifice. "

"Go!" said Katuti, and went towards the house with the fatal letter inher hand. 

Nemu stayed behind alone; he looked thoughtfully at the ground, murmuring to himself. 

"She must not lose her honor; not at present, or indeed all will belost. What is this honor? We all come into the world without it, andmost of us go to the grave without knowing it, and very good folksnotwithstanding. Only a few who are rich and idle weave it in with thehomely stuff of their souls, as the Kuschites do their hair with greaseand oils, till it forms a cap of which, though it disfigures them, theyare so proud that they would rather have their ears cut off than themonstrous thing. I see, I see--but before I open my mouth I will go tomy mother. She knows more than twenty prophets. "

CHAPTER XII. 

Before the sun had risen the next morning, Nemu got himself ferriedover the Nile, with the small white ass which Mena's deceased father hadgiven him many years before. He availed himself of the cool hour whichprecedes the rising of the sun for his ride through the Necropolis. 

Well acquainted as he was with every stock and stone, he avoided thehigh roads which led to the goal of his expedition, and trotted towardsthe hill which divides the valley of the royal tombs from the plain ofthe Nile. 

Before him opened a noble amphitheatre of lofty lime-stone peaks, thebackground of the stately terrace-temple which the proud ancestress oftwo kings of the fallen family, the great Hatasu, had erected to theirmemory, and to the Goddess Hathor. 

Nemu left the sanctuary to his left, and rode up the steep hill-pathwhich was the nearest way from the plain to the valley of the tombs. 

Below him lay a bird's eye view of the terrace-building of Hatasu, andbefore him, still slumbering in cool dawn, was the Necropolis with itshouses and temples and colossal statues, the broad Nile glistening withwhite sails under the morning mist; and, in the distant east, rosy withthe coming sun, stood Thebes and her gigantic temples. 

But the dwarf saw nothing of the glorious panorama that lay at his feet;absorbed in thought, and stooping over the neck of his ass, he let thepanting beast climb and rest at its pleasure. 

When he had reached half the height of the hill, he perceived the soundof footsteps coming nearer and nearer to him. 

The vigorous walker had soon reached him, and bid him good morning, which he civilly returned. 

The hill-path was narrow, and when Nemu observed that the man whofollowed him was a priest, he drew up his donkey on a level spot, andsaid reverently:

"Pass on, holy father; for thy two feet carry thee quicker than myfour. "

"A sufferer needs my help, " replied the leech Nebsecht, Pentaur'sfriend, whom we have already seen in the House of Seti, and by the bedof the paraschites' daughter; and he hastened on so as to gain on theslow pace of the rider. 

Then rose the glowing disk of the sun above the eastern horizon, andfrom the sanctuaries below the travellers rose up the pious many-voicedchant of praise. 

Nemu slipped off his ass, and assumed an attitude of prayer; the priestdid the same; but while the dwarf devoutly fixed his eyes on the newbirth of the Sun-God from the eastern range, the priest's eyes wanderedto the earth, and his raised hand fell to pick up a rare fossil shellwhich lay on the path. 

In a few minutes Nebsecht rose, and Nemu followed him. 

"It is a fine morning, " said the dwarf; "the holy fathers down thereseem more cheerful to-day than usual. "

The surgeon laughed assent. "Do you belong to the Necropolis?" he said. "Who here keeps dwarfs?"

"No one, " answered the little man. "But I will ask thee a question. Whothat lives here behind the hill is of so much importance, that a leechfrom the House of Seti sacrifices his night's rest for him?"

"The one I visit is mean, but the suffering is great, " answeredNebsecht. 

Nemu looked at him with admiration, and muttered, "That is noble, that is----" but he did not finish his speech; he struck his brow andexclaimed, "You are going, by the desire of the Princess Bent-Anat, tothe child of the paraschites that was run over. I guessed as much. Thefood must have an excellent after-taste, if a gentleman rises so earlyto eat it. How is the poor child doing?"

There was so much warmth in these last words that Nebsecht, who hadthought the dwarf's reproach uncalled for, answered in a friendly tone:

"Not so badly; she may be saved. "

"The Gods be praised!" exclaimed Nemu, while the priest passed on. 

Nebsecht went up and down the hillside at a redoubled pace, and had longtaken his place by the couch of the wounded Uarda in the hovel of theparaschites, when Nemu drew near to the abode of his Mother Hekt, fromwhom Paaker had received the philter. 

The old woman sat before the door of her cave. Near her lay a board, fitted with cross pieces, between which a little boy was stretched insuch a way that they touched his head and his feet. 

Hekt understood the art of making dwarfs; playthings in human form werewell paid for, and the child on the rack, with his pretty little face, promised to be a valuable article. 

As soon as the sorceress saw some one approaching, she stooped over thechild, took him up board and all in her arms, and carried him into thecave. Then she said sternly:

"If you move, little one, I will flog you. Now let me tie you. "

"Don't tie me, " said the child, "I will be good and lie still. "

"Stretch yourself out, " ordered the old woman, and tied the child witha rope to the board. "If you are quiet, I'll give you a honey-cakeby-and-bye, and let you play with the young chickens. "

The child was quiet, and a soft smile of delight and hope sparkled inhis pretty eyes. His little hand caught the dress of the old woman, andwith the sweetest coaxing tone, which God bestows on the innocent voicesof children, he said:

"I will be as still as a mouse, and no one shall know that I am here;but if you give me the honeycake you will untie me for a little, and letme go to Uarda. "

"She is ill!--what do you want there?"

"I would take her the cake, " said the child, and his eyes glistened withtears. 

The old woman touched the child's chin with her finger, and somemysterious power prompted her to bend over him to kiss him. But beforeher lips had touched his face she turned away, and said, in a hard tone:

"Lie still! by and bye we will see. " Then she stooped, and threw a brownsack over the child. She went back into the open air, greeted Nemu, entertained him with milk, bread and honey, gave him news of the girlwho had been run over, for he seemed to take her misfortune very much toheart, and finally asked:

"What brings you here? The Nile was still narrow when you last foundyour way to me, and now it has been falling some time. 

 [This is the beginning of November. The Nile begins slowly to rise early in June; between the 15th and 20th of July it suddenly swells rapidly, and in the first half of October, not, as was formerly supposed, at the end of September, the inundation reaches its highest level. Heinrich Barth established these data beyond dispute. After the water has begun to sink it rises once more in October and to a higher level than before. Then it soon falls, at first slowly, but by degrees quicker and quicker. ]

Are you sent by your mistress, or do you want my help? All the world isalike. No one goes to see any one else unless he wants to make use ofhim. What shall I give you?"

"I want nothing, " said the dwarf, "but--"

"You are commissioned by a third person, " said the witch, laughing. "Itis the same thing. Whoever wants a thing for some one else only thinksof his own interest. "

"May be, " said Nemu. "At any rate your words show that you have notgrown less wise since I saw you last--and I am glad of it, for I wantyour advice. "

"Advice is cheap. What is going on out there?" Nemu related to hismother shortly, clearly, and without reserve, what was plotting inhis mistress's house, and the frightful disgrace with which she wasthreatened through her son. 

The old woman shook her grey head thoughtfully several times: but shelet the little man go on to the end of his story without interruptinghim. Then she asked, and her eyes flashed as she spoke:

"And you really believe that you will succeed in putting the sparrow onthe eagle's perch--Ani on the throne of Rameses?"

"The troops fighting in Ethiopia are for us, " cried Nemu. "The priestsdeclare themselves against the king, and recognize in Ani the genuineblood of Ra. "

"That is much, " said the old woman. 

"And many dogs are the death of the gazelle, " said Nemu laughing. 

"But Rameses is not a gazelle to run, but a lion, " said the old womangravely. "You are playing a high game. "

"We know it, " answered Nemu. "But it is for high stakes--there is muchto win. "

"And all to lose, " muttered the old woman, passing her fingers round herscraggy neck. "Well, do as you please--it is all the same to me who itis sends the young to be killed, and drives the old folks' cattle fromthe field. What do they want with me?"

"No one has sent me, " answered the dwarf. "I come of my own free fancyto ask you what Katuti must do to save her son and her house fromdishonor. "

"Hm!" hummed the witch, looking at Nemu while she raised herself onher stick. "What has come to you that you take the fate of these greatpeople to heart as if it were your own?"

The dwarf reddened, and answered hesitatingly, "Katuti is a goodmistress, and, if things go well with her, there may be windfalls foryou and me. "

Hekt shook her head doubtfully. 

"A loaf for you perhaps, and a crumb for me!" she said. "There is morethan that in your mind, and I can read your heart as if you were aripped up raven. You are one of those who can never keep their fingersat rest, and must knead everybody's dough; must push, and drive and stirsomething. Every jacket is too tight for you. If you were three feettaller, and the son of a priest, you might have gone far. High you willgo, and high you will end; as the friend of a king--or on the gallows. "

The old woman laughed; but Nemu bit his lips, and said:

"If you had sent me to school, and if I were not the son of a witch, and a dwarf, I would play with men as they have played with me; for I amcleverer than all of them, and none of their plans are hidden from me. A hundred roads lie before me, when they don't know whether to go outor in; and where they rush heedlessly forwards I see the abyss that theyare running to. "

"And nevertheless you come to me?" said the old woman sarcastically. 

"I want your advice, " said Nemu seriously. "Four eyes see more than one, and the impartial looker-on sees clearer than the player; besides youare bound to help me. "

The old woman laughed loud in astonishment. "Bound!" she said, "I? andto what if you please?"

"To help me, " replied the dwarf, half in entreaty, and half in reproach. "You deprived me of my growth, and reduced me to a cripple. "

"Because no one is better off than you dwarfs, " interrupted the witch. 

Nemu shook his head, and answered sadly--

"You have often said so--and perhaps for many others, who are born inmisery like me--perhaps-you are right; but for me--you have spoilt mylife; you have crippled not my body only but my soul, and have condemnedme to sufferings that are nameless and unutterable. "

The dwarf's big head sank on his breast, and with his left hand hepressed his heart. 

The old woman went up to him kindly. 

"What ails you?" she asked, "I thought it was well with you in Mena'shouse. "

"You thought so?" cried the dwarf. "You who show me as in a mirror whatI am, and how mysterious powers throng and stir in me? You made me whatI am by your arts; you sold me to the treasurer of Rameses, and he gaveme to the father of Mena, his brother-in-law. Fifteen years ago! I wasa young man then, a youth like any other, only more passionate, morerestless, and fiery than they. I was given as a plaything to the youngMena, and he harnessed me to his little chariot, and dressed me out withribbons and feathers, and flogged me when I did not go fast enough. Howthe girl--for whom I would have given my life--the porter's daughter, laughed when I, dressed up in motley, hopped panting in front of thechariot and the young lord's whip whistled in my ears wringing the sweatfrom my brow, and the blood from my broken heart. Then Mena's fatherdied, the boy, went to school, and I waited on the wife of his steward, whom Katuti banished to Hermonthis. That was a time! The little daughterof the house made a doll of me, [Dolls belonging to the time of the Pharaohs are preserved in the museums, for instance, the jointed ones at Leyden. ]

laid me in the cradle, and made me shut my eyes and pretend to sleep, while love and hatred, and great projects were strong within me. IfI tried to resist they beat me with rods; and when once, in a rage, Iforgot myself, and hit little Mertitefs hard, Mena, who came in, hung meup in the store-room to a nail by my girdle, and left me to swing there;he said he had forgotten to take me down again. The rats fell upon me;here are the scars, these little white spots here--look! They perhapswill some day wear out, but the wounds that my spirit received in thosehours have not yet ceased to bleed. Then Mena married Nefert, and, withher, his mother-in-law, Katuti, came into the house. She took me fromthe steward, I became indispensable to her; she treats me like a man, she values my intelligence and listens to my advice, --therefore I willmake her great, and with her, and through her, I will wax mighty. If Animounts the throne, we wilt guide him--you, and I, and she! Rameses mustfall, and with him Mena, the boy who degraded my body and poisoned mysoul!"

During this speech the old woman had stood in silence opposite thedwarf. Now she sat down on her rough wooden seat, and said, while sheproceeded to pluck a lapwing:

"Now I understand you; you wish to be revenged. You hope to rise high, and I am to whet your knife, and hold the ladder for you. Poor littleman! there, sit down-drink a gulp of milk to cool you, and listen to myadvice. Katuti wants a great deal of money to escape dishonor. She needonly pick it up--it lies at her door. " The dwarf looked at the witch inastonishment. 

"The Mohar Paaker is her sister Setchem's son. Is he not?"

"As you say. "

"Katuti's daughter Nefert is the wife of your master Mena, and anotherwould like to tempt the neglected little hen into his yard. "

"You mean Paaker, to whom Nefert was promised before she went afterMena. "

"Paaker was with me the day before yesterday. "

"With you?"

"Yes, with me, with old Hekt--to buy a love philter. I gave him one, andas I was curious I went after him, saw him give the water to the littlelady, and found out her name. "

"And Nefert drank the magic drink?" asked the dwarf horrified. "Vinegarand turnip juice, " laughed the old witch. "A lord who comes to me to wina wife is ripe for any thing. Let Nefert ask Paaker for the money, andthe young scapegrace's debts are paid. "

"Katuti is proud, and repulsed me severely when I proposed this. "

"Then she must sue to Paaker herself for the money. Go back to him, makehim hope that Nefert is inclined to him, tell him what distresses theladies, and if he refuses, but only if he refuses, let him see that youknow something of the little dose. "

The dwarf looked meditatively on the ground, and then said, lookingadmiringly at the old woman: "That is the right thing. "

"You will find out the lie without my telling you, " mumbled the witch;"your business is not perhaps such a bad one as it seemed to me atfirst. Katuti may thank the ne'er-do-well who staked his father'scorpse. You don't understand me? Well, if you are really the sharpest ofthem all over there, what must the others be?"

"You mean that people will speak well of my mistress for sacrificing solarge a sum for the sake--?"

"Whose sake? why speak well of her?" cried the old woman impatiently. "Here we deal with other things, with actual facts. There standsPaaker--there the wife of Mena. If the Mohar sacrifices a fortune forNefert, he will be her master, and Katuti will not stand in his way; sheknows well enough why her nephew pays for her. But some one else stopsthe way, and that is Mena. It is worth while to get him out of the way. The charioteer stands close to the Pharaoh, and the noose that is flungat one may easily fall round the neck of the other too. Make the Moharyour ally, and it may easily happen that your rat-bites may be paid forwith mortal wounds, and Rameses who, if you marched against him openly, might blow you to the ground, may be hit by a lance thrown from anambush. When the throne is clear, the weak legs of the Regent maysucceed in clambering up to it with the help of the priests. Here yousit-open-mouthed; and I have told you nothing that you might not havefound out for yourself. "

"You are a perfect cask of wisdom!" exclaimed the dwarf. 

"And now you will go away, " said Hekt, "and reveal your schemes to yourmistress and the Regent, and they will be astonished at your cleverness. To-day you still know that I have shown you what you have to do;to-morrow you will have forgotten it; and the day after to-morrow youwill believe yourself possessed by the inspiration of the nine greatGods. I know that; but I cannot give anything for nothing. You live byyour smallness, another makes his living with his hard hands, I earn myscanty bread by the thoughts of my brain. Listen! when you have half wonPaaker, and Ani shows himself inclined to make use of him, then say tohim that I may know a secret--and I do know one, I alone--which may makethe Mohar the sport of his wishes, and that I may be disposed to sellit. "

"That shall be done! certainly, mother, " cried the dwarf. "What do youwish for?"

"Very little, " said the old woman. "Only a permit that makes me free todo and to practise whatever I please, unmolested even by the priests, and to receive an honorable burial after my death. "

"The Regent will hardly agree to that; for he must avoid everything thatmay offend the servants of the Gods. "

"And do everything, " retorted the old woman, "that can degrade Ramesesin their sight. Ani, do you hear, need not write me a new license, but only renew the old one granted to me by Rameses when I cured hisfavorite horse. They burnt it with my other possessions, when theyplundered my house, and denounced me and my belongings for sorcery. Thepermit of Rameses is what I want, nothing more. "

"You shall have it, " said the dwarf. "Good-by; I am charged to look intothe tomb of our house, and see whether the offerings for the dead areregularly set out; to pour out fresh essences and have various thingsrenewed. When Sechet has ceased to rage, and it is cooler, I shall comeby here again, for I should like to call on the paraschites, and see howthe poor child is. "

CHAPTER XIII. 

During this conversation two men had been busily occupied, in front ofthe paraschites' hut, in driving piles into the earth, and stretching atorn linen cloth upon them. 

One of them, old Pinem, whom we have seen tending his grandchild, requested the other from time to time to consider the sick girl and towork less noisily. 

After they had finished their simple task, and spread a couch of freshstraw under the awning, they too sat down on the earth, and looked atthe hut before which the surgeon Nebsecht was sitting waiting till thesleeping girl should wake. 

"Who is that?" asked the leech of the old man, pointing to his youngcompanion, a tall sunburnt soldier with a bushy red beard. 

"My son, " replied the paraschites, "who is just returned from Syria. "

"Uarda's father?" asked Nebsecht. 

The soldier nodded assent, and said with a rough voice, but not withoutcordiality. 

"No one could guess it by looking at us--she is so white and rosy. Hermother was a foreigner, and she has turned out as delicate as she was. Iam afraid to touch her with my little finger--and there comes a chariotover the brittle doll, and does not quite crush her, for she is stillalive. "

"Without the help of this holy father, " said the paraschites, approaching the surgeon, and kissing his robe, "you would never haveseen her alive again. May the Gods reward thee for what thou hast donefor its poor folks!"

"And we can pay too, " cried the soldier, slapping a full purse that hungat his gridle. "We have taken plunder in Syria, and I will buy a calf, and give it to thy temple. "

"Offer a beast of dough, rather. "

 [Hogs were sacrificed at the feasts of Selene (the Egyptian Nechebt). The poor offer pigs made of dough. Herodotus II. , 47. Various kinds of cakes baked in the form of animals are represented on the monuments. ]

replied Nebsecht, "and if you wish to show yourself grateful to me, givethe money to your father, so that he may feed and nurse your child inaccordance with my instructions. "

"Hm, " murmured the soldier; he took the purse from his girdle, flourished it in his hand, and said, as he handed it to the paraschites:

"I should have liked to drink it! but take it, father, for the child andmy mother. "

While the old man hesitatingly put out his hand for the rich gift, thesoldier recollected himself and said, opening the purse:

"Let me take out a few rings, for to-day I cannot go dry. I have two orthree comrades lodging in the red Tavern. That is right. There, --takethe rest of the rubbish. "

Nebsecht nodded approvingly at the soldier, and he, as his fathergratefully kissed the surgeon's hand, exclaimed:

"Make the little one sound, holy father! It, is all over with gifts andofferings, for I have nothing left; but there are two iron fists and abreast like the wall of a fortress. If at any time thou dost want help, call me, and I will protect thee against twenty enemies. Thou hast savedmy child--good! Life for life. I sign myself thy blood-ally--there. "

With these words he drew his poniard out of his girdle. He scratched hisarm, and let a few drops of his blood run down on a stone at the feet ofNebsecht--"Look, " he said. "There is my bond, Kaschta has signed himselfthine, and thou canst dispose of my life as of thine own. What I havesaid, I have said. "

"I am a man of peace, " Nebsecht stammered, "And my white robe protectsme. But I believe our patient is awake. "

The physician rose, and entered the hut. 

Uarda's pretty head lay on her grandmother's lap, and her large blueeyes turned contentedly on the priest. 

"She might get up and go out into the air, " said the old woman. "She hasslept long and soundly. " The surgeon examined her pulse, and her wound, on which green leaves were laid. 

"Excellent, " he said; "who gave you this healing herb?"

The old woman shuddered, and hesitated; but Uarda said fearlessly; "OldHekt, who lives over there in the black cave. "

"The witch!" muttered Nebsecht. "But we will let the leaves remain; ifthey do good, it is no matter where they came from. "

"Hekt tasted the drops thou didst give her, " said the old woman, "andagreed that they were good. "

"Then we are satisfied with each other, " answered Nebsecht, with a smileof amusement. "We will carry you now into the open air, little maid;for the air in here is as heavy as lead, and your damaged lung requireslighter nourishment. "

"Yes, let me go out, " said the girl. "It is well that thou hast notbrought back the other with thee, who tormented me with his vows. "

"You mean blind Teta, " said Nebsecht, "he will not come again; but theyoung priest who soothed your father, when he repulsed the princess, will visit you. He is kindly disposed, and you should--you should--"

"Pentaur will come?" said the girl eagerly. 

"Before midday. But how do you know his name?"

"I know him, " said Uarda decidedly. 

The surgeon looked at her surprised. 

"You must not talk any more, " he said, "for your cheeks are glowing, andthe fever may return. We have arranged a tent for you, and now we willcarry you into the open air. "

"Not yet, " said the girl. "Grandmother, do my hair for me, it is soheavy. "

With these words she endeavored to part her mass of long reddish-brownhair with her slender hands, and to free it from the straws that had gotentangled in it. 

"Lie still, " said the surgeon, in a warning voice. 

"But it is so heavy, " said the sick girl, smiling and showing Nebsechther abundant wealth of golden hair as if it were a fatiguing burden. "Come, grandmother, and help me. "

The old woman leaned over the child, and combed her long locks carefullywith a coarse comb made of grey horn, gently disengaged the strawsfrom the golden tangle, and at last laid two thick long plaits on hergranddaughter's shoulders. 

Nebsecht knew that every movement of the wounded girl might do mischief, and his impulse was to stop the old woman's proceedings, but his tongueseemed spell-bound. Surprised, motionless, and with crimson cheeks, hestood opposite the girl, and his eyes followed every movement of herhands with anxious observation. 

She did not notice him. 

When the old woman laid down the comb Uarda drew a long breath. 

"Grandmother, " she said, "give me the mirror. " The old woman broughta shard of dimly glazed, baked clay. The girl turned to the light, contemplated the undefined reflection for a moment, and said:

"I have not seen a flower for so long, grandmother. "

"Wait, child, " she replied; she took from a jug the rose, which theprincess had laid on the bosom of her grandchild, and offered it to her. Before Uarda could take it, the withered petals fell, and droppedupon her. The surgeon stooped, gathered them up, and put them into thechild's hand. 

"How good you are!" she said; "I am called Uarda--like this flower--andI love roses and the fresh air. Will you carry me out now?"

Nebsecht called the paraschites, who came into the hut with his son, andthey carried the girl out into the air, and laid her under the humbletent they had contrived for her. The soldier's knees trembled while heheld the light burden of his daughter's weight in his strong hands, andhe sighed when he laid her down on the mat. 

"How blue the sky is!" cried Uarda. "Ah! grandfather has watered mypomegranate, I thought so! and there come my doves! give me some corn inmy hand, grandmother. How pleased they are. "

The graceful birds, with black rings round their reddish-grey necks, flew confidingly to her, and took the corn that she playfully laidbetween her lips. 

Nebsecht looked on with astonishment at this pretty play. He felt as ifa new world had opened to him, and some new sense, hitherto unknown tohim, had been revealed to him within his breast. He silently sat downin front of the but, and drew the picture of a rose on the sand with areed-stem that he picked up. 

Perfect stillness was around him; the doves even had flown up, andsettled on the roof. Presently the dog barked, steps approached; Uardalifted herself up and said:

"Grandmother, it is the priest Pentaur. "

"Who told you?" asked the old woman. 

"I know it, " answered the girl decidedly, and in a few moments asonorous voice cried: "Good day to you. How is your invalid?"

Pentaur was soon standing by Uarda; pleased to hear Nebsecht's goodreport, and with the sweet face of the girl. He had some flowers in hishand, that a happy maiden had laid on the altar of the Goddess Hathor, which he had served since the previous day, and he gave them to thesick girl, who took them with a blush, and held them between her claspedhands. 

"The great Goddess whom I serve sends you these, " said Pentaur, "andthey will bring you healing. Continue to resemble them. You are pure andfair like them, and your course henceforth may be like theirs. As thesun gives life to the grey horizon, so you bring joy to this dark but. Preserve your innocence, and wherever you go you will bring love, asflowers spring in every spot that is trodden by the golden foot ofHathor. 

 [Hathor is frequently called "the golden, " particularly at Dendera She has much in common with the "golden Aphrodite. "]

May her blessing rest upon you!"

He had spoken the last words half to the old couple and half to Uarda, and was already turning to depart when, behind a heap of dried reedsthat lay close to the awning over the girl, the bitter cry of a childwas heard, and a little boy came forward who held, as high as he couldreach, a little cake, of which the dog, who seemed to know him well, hadsnatched half. 

"How do you come here, Scherau?" the paraschites asked the weeping boy;the unfortunate child that Hekt was bringing up as a dwarf. 

"I wanted, " sobbed the little one, "to bring the cake to Uarda. She isill--I had so much--"

"Poor child, " said the paraschites, stroking the boy's hair; "there-giveit to Uarda. "

Scherau went up to the sick girl, knelt down by her, and whispered withstreaming eyes:

"Take it! It is good, and very sweet, and if I get another cake, andHekt will let me out, I will bring it to you. 

"Thank you, good little Scherau, " said Uarda, kissing the child. Thenshe turned to Pentaur and said:

"For weeks he has had nothing but papyrus-pith, and lotus-bread, and nowhe brings me the cake which grandmother gave old Hekt yesterday. "

The child blushed all over, and stammered:

"It is only half--but I did not touch it. Your dog bit out this piece, and this. "

He touched the honey with the tip of his finger, and put it to his lips. "I was a long time behind the reeds there, for I did not like to comeout because of the strangers there. " He pointed to Nebsecht and Pentaur. "But now I must go home, " he cried. 

The child was going, but Pentaur stopped him, seized him, lifted him upin his arms and kissed him; saying, as he turned to Nebsecht:

"They were wise, who represented Horus--the symbol of the triumph ofgood over evil and of purity over the impure--in the form of a child. Bless you, my little friend; be good, and always give away what you haveto make others happy. It will not make your house rich--but it will yourheart!"

Scherau clung to the priest, and involuntarily raised his little handto stroke Pentaur's cheek. An unknown tenderness had filled his littleheart, and he felt as if he must throw his arms round the poet's neckand cry upon his breast. 

But Pentaur set him down on the ground, and he trotted down into thevalley. There he paused. The sun was high in the heavens, and he mustreturn to the witch's cave and his board, but he would so much like togo a little farther--only as far as to the king's tomb, which was quitenear. 

Close by the door of this tomb was a thatch of palm-branches, and underthis the sculptor Batau, a very aged man, was accustomed to rest. Theold man was deaf, but he passed for the best artist of his time, andwith justice; he had designed the beautiful pictures and hieroglyphicinscriptions in Seti's splendid buildings at Abydos and Thebes, as wellas in the tomb of that prince, and he was now working at the decorationof the walls in the grave of Rameses. 

Scherau had often crept close up to him, and thoughtfully watched him atwork, and then tried himself to make animal and human figures out of abit of clay. 

One day the old man had observed him. 

The sculptor had silently taken his humble attempt out of his hand, andhad returned it to him with a smile of encouragement. 

From that time a peculiar tie had sprung up between the two. Scherauwould venture to sit down by the sculptor, and try to imitate hisfinished images. Not a word was exchanged between them, but oftenthe deaf old man would destroy the boy's works, often on the contraryimprove them with a touch of his own hand, and not seldom nod at him toencourage him. 

When he staid away the old man missed his pupil, and Scherau's happiesthours were those which he passed at his side. 

He was not forbidden to take some clay home with him. There, when theold woman's back was turned, he moulded a variety of images which hedestroyed as soon as they were finished. 

While he lay on his rack his hands were left free, and he tried toreproduce the various forms which lived in his imagination, he forgotthe present in his artistic attempts, and his bitter lot acquired aflavor of the sweetest enjoyment. 

But to-day it was too late; he must give up his visit to the tomb ofRameses. 

Once more he looked back at the hut, and then hurried into the darkcave. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Pentauer also soon quitted the but of the paraschites. 

Lost in meditation, he went along the hill-path which led to the templewhich Ameni had put under his direction. 

 [This temple is well proportioned, and remains in good preservation. Copies of the interesting pictures discovered in it are to be found in the "Fleet of an Egyptian queen" by Dutnichen. Other details may be found in Lepsius' Monuments of Egypt, and a plan of the place has recently been published by Mariette. ]

He foresaw many disturbed and anxious hours in the immediate future. 

The sanctuary of which he was the superior, had been dedicated to herown memory, and to the goddess Hathor, by Hatasu, [The daughter of Thotmes I. , wife of her brother Thotmes II. , and predecessor of her second brother Thotmes III. An energetic woman who executed great works, and caused herself to be represented with the helmet and beard-case of a man. ]

a great queen of the dethroned dynasty. 

The priests who served it were endowed with peculiar charteredprivileges, which hitherto had been strictly respected. Their dignitywas hereditary, going down from father to son, and they had the right ofchoosing their director from among themselves. 

Now their chief priest Rui was ill and dying, and Ameni, under whosejurisdiction they came, had, without consulting them, sent the youngpoet Pentaur to fill his place. 

They had received the intruder most unwillingly, and combined stronglyagainst him when it became evident that he was disposed to establisha severe rule and to abolish many abuses which had become establishedcustoms. 

They had devolved the greeting of the rising sun on the temple-servants;Pentaur required that the younger ones at least should take partin chanting the morning hymn, and himself led the choir. They hadtrafficked with the offerings laid on the altar of the Goddess; the newmaster repressed this abuse, as well as the extortions of which theywere guilty towards women in sorrow, who visited the temple of Hathor ingreater number than any other sanctuary. 

The poet-brought up in the temple of Seti to self-control, order, exactitude, and decent customs, deeply penetrated with a sense of thedignity of his position, and accustomed to struggle with special zealagainst indolence of body and spirit--was disgusted with the slothfullife and fraudulent dealings of his subordinates; and the deeper insightwhich yesterday's experience had given him into the poverty and sorrowof human existence, made him resolve with increased warmth that he wouldawake them to a new life. 

The conviction that the lazy herd whom he commanded was called upon topour consolation into a thousand sorrowing hearts, to dry innumerabletears, and to clothe the dry sticks of despair with the fresh verdure ofhope, urged him to strong measures. 

Yesterday he had seen how, with calm indifference, they had listened tothe deserted wife, the betrayed maiden, to the woman, who imploredthe withheld blessing of children, to the anxious mother, the forlornwidow, --and sought only to take advantage of sorrow, to extort gifts forthe Goddess, or better still for their own pockets or belly. 

Now he was nearing the scene of his new labors. 

There stood the reverend building, rising stately from the valley onfour terraces handsomely and singularly divided, and resting on thewestern side against the high amphitheatre of yellow cliffs. 

On the closely-joined foundation stones gigantic hawks were carved inrelief, each with the emblem of life, and symbolized Horus, the son ofthe Goddess, who brings all that fades to fresh bloom, and all that diesto resurrection. 

On each terrace stood a hall open to the east, and supported on two andtwenty archaic pillars. 

 [Polygonal pillars, which were used first in tomb-building under the 12th dynasty, and after the expulsion of the Hyksos under the kings of the 17th and 18th, in public buildings; but under the subsequent races of kings they ceased to be employed. ]

On their inner walls elegant pictures and inscriptions in the finestsculptured work recorded, for the benefit of posterity, the great thingsthat Hatasu had done with the help of the Gods of Thebes. 

There were the ships which she had to send to Punt

 [Arabia; apparently also the coast of east Africa south of Egypt as far as Somali. The latest of the lists published by Mariette, of the southern nations conquered by Thotmes III. , mentions it. This list was found on the pylon of the temple of Karnak. ]

to enrich Egypt with the treasures of the east; there the wondersbrought to Thebes from Arabia might be seen; there were delineatedthe houses of the inhabitants of the land of frankincense, and all thefishes of the Red Sea, in distinct and characteristic outline. 

On the third and fourth terraces were the small adjoining rooms ofHatasu and her brothers Thotmes II. And III. , which were built againstthe rock, and entered by granite doorways. In them purificationswere accomplished, the images of the Goddess worshipped, and the moredistinguished worshippers admitted to confess. The sacred cows of theGoddess were kept in a side-building. 

As Pentaur approached the great gate of the terrace-temple, he becamethe witness of a scene which filled him with resentment. 

A woman implored to be admitted into the forecourt, to pray at thealtar of the Goddess for her husband, who was very ill, but the sleekgate-keeper drove her back with rough words. 

"It is written up, " said he, pointing to the inscription over the gate, "only the purified may set their foot across this threshold, and youcannot be purified but by the smoke of incense. "

"Then swing the censer for me, " said the woman, and take this silverring--it is all I have. "

"A silver ring!" cried the porter, indignantly. "Shall the goddess beimpoverished for your sake! The grains of Anta, that would be used inpurifying you, would cost ten times as much. "

"But I have no more, " replied the woman, "my husband, for whom I come topray, is ill; he cannot work, and my children--"

"You fatten them up and deprive the goddess of her due, " cried thegate-keeper. "Three rings down, or I shut the gate. "

"Be merciful, " said the woman, weeping. "What will become of us ifHathor does not help my husband?"

"Will our goddess fetch the doctor?" asked the porter. "She hassomething to do besides curing sick starvelings. Besides, that is nother office. Go to Imhotep or to Chunsu the counsellor, or to the greatTechuti herself, who helps the sick. There is no quack medicine to begot here. "

"I only want comfort in my trouble, " said the woman. 

"Comfort!" laughed the gate-keeper, measuring the comely young womanwith his eye. "That you may have cheaper. "

The woman turned pale, and drew back from the hand the man stretched outtowards her. 

At this moment Pentaur, full of wrath, stepped between them. 

He raised his hand in blessing over the woman, who bent low before him, and said, "Whoever calls fervently on the Divinity is near to him. Youare pure. Enter. "

As soon as she had disappeared within the temple, the priest turned tothe gate-keeper and exclaimed: "Is this how you serve the goddess, isthis how you take advantage of a heart-wrung woman? Give me the keys ofthis gate. Your office is taken from you, and early to-morrow you go outin the fields, and keep the geese of Hathor. "

The porter threw himself on his knees with loud outcries; but Pentaurturned his back upon him, entered the sanctuary, and mounted the stepswhich led to his dwelling on the third terrace. 

A few priests whom he passed turned their backs upon him, others lookeddown at their dinners, eating noisily, and making as if they did notsee him. They had combined strongly, and were determined to expel theinconvenient intruder at any price. 

Having reached his room, which had been splendidly decorated for hispredecessor, Pentaur laid aside his new insignia, comparing sorrowfullythe past and the present. 

To what an exchange Ameni had condemned him! Here, wherever he looked, he met with sulkiness and aversion; while, when he walked through thecourts of the House of Seti, a hundred boys would hurry towards him, andcling affectionately to his robe. Honored there by great and small, hisevery word had had its value; and when each day he gave utterance to histhoughts, what he bestowed came back to him refined by earnest discoursewith his associates and superiors, and he gained new treasures for hisinner life. 

"What is rare, " thought he, "is full of charm; and yet how hard it isto do without what is habitual!" The occurrences of the last few dayspassed before his mental sight. Bent-Anat's image appeared before him, and took a more and more distinct and captivating form. His heart beganto beat wildly, the blood rushed faster through his veins; he hid hisface in his hands, and recalled every glance, every word from her lips. 

"I follow thee willingly, " she had said to him before the hut of theparaschites. Now he asked himself whether he were worthy of such afollower. 

He had indeed broken through the old bonds, but not to disgrace thehouse that was dear to him, only to let new light into its dim chambers. 

"To do what we have earnestly felt to be right, " said he to himself, "may seem worthy of punishment to men, but cannot before God. "

He sighed and walked out into the terrace in a mood of lofty excitement, and fully resolved to do here nothing but what was right, to lay thefoundation of all that was good. 

"We men, " thought he, "prepare sorrow when we come into the world, andlamentation when we leave it; and so it is our duty in the intermediatetime to fight with suffering, and to sow the seeds of joy. There aremany tears here to be wiped away. To work then!" The poet found none ofhis subordinates on the upper terrace. They had all met in the forecourtof the temple, and were listening to the gate-keeper's tale, and seemedto sympathize with his angry complaint--against whom Pentaur well knew. 

With a firm step he went towards them and said:

"I have expelled this man from among us, for he is a disgrace to us. To-morrow he quits the temple. "

"I will go at once, " replied the gate-keeper defiantly, "and in behalfof the holy fathers (here he cast a significant glance at the priests), ask the high-priest Ameni if the unclean are henceforth to be permittedto enter this sanctuary. "

He was already approaching the gate, but Pentaur stepped before him, saying resolutely:

"You will remain here and keep the geese to-morrow, day after to-morrow, and until I choose to pardon you. " The gate-keeper looked enquiringly atthe priests. Not one moved. 

"Go back into your house, " said Pentaur, going closer to him. 

The porter obeyed. 

Pentaur locked the door of the little room, gave the key to one of thetemple-servants, and said: "Perform his duty, watch the man, and if heescapes you will go after the geese to-morrow too. See, my friends, how many worshippers kneel there before our altars--go and fulfil youroffice. I will wait in the confessional to receive complaints, and toadminister comfort. "

The priests separated and went to the votaries. Pentaur once moremounted the steps, and sat down in the narrow confessional which wasclosed by a curtain; on its wall the picture of Hatasu was to be seen, drawing the milk of eternal life from the udders of the cow Hathor. 

He had hardly taken his place when a temple-servant announced thearrival of a veiled lady. The bearers of her litter were thickly veiled, and she had requested to be conducted to the confession chamber. Theservant handed Pentaur a token by which the high-priest of the greattemple of Anion, on the other bank of the Nile, granted her theprivilege of entering the inner rooms of the temple with the Rechiu, andto communicate with all priests, even with the highest of the initiated. 

The poet withdrew behind a curtain, and awaited the stranger with adisquiet that seemed to him all the more singular that he had frequentlyfound himself in a similar position. Even the noblest dignitaries hadoften been transferred to him by Ameni when they had come to the templeto have their visions interpreted. 

A tall female figure entered the still, sultry stone room, sank onher knees, and put up a long and absorbed prayer before the figure ofHathor. Pentaur also, seen by no one, lifted his hands, and ferventlyaddressed himself to the omnipresent spirit with a prayer for strengthand purity. 

Just as his arms fell the lady raised her head. It was as though theprayers of the two souls had united to mount upwards together. 

The veiled lady rose and dropped her veil. 

It was Bent-Anat. 

In the agitation of her soul she had sought the goddess Hathor, whoguides the beating heart of woman and spins the threads which bind manand wife. 

"High mistress of heaven! many-named and beautiful!" she began to prayaloud, "golden Hathor! who knowest grief and ecstasy--the present andthe future--draw near to thy child, and guide the spirit of thy servant, that he may advise me well. I am the daughter of a father who is greatand noble and truthful as one of the Gods. He advises me--he will nevercompel me--to yield to a man whom I can never love. Nay, another has metme, humble in birth but noble in spirit and in gifts--"

Thus far, Pentaur, incapable of speech, had overheard the princess. 

Ought he to remain concealed and hear all her secret, or should he stepforth and show himself to her? His pride called loudly to him: "Nowshe will speak your name; you are the chosen one of the fairest andnoblest. " But another voice to which he had accustomed himself to listenin severe self-discipline made itself heard, and said--"Let her saynothing in ignorance, that she need be ashamed of if she knew. "

He blushed for her;--he opened the curtain and went forward into thepresence of Bent-Anat. 

The Princess drew back startled. 

"Art thou Pentaur, " she asked, "or one of the Immortals?"

"I am Pentaur, " he answered firmly, "a man with all the weakness of hisrace, but with a desire for what is good. Linger here and pour out thysoul to our Goddess; my whole life shall be a prayer for thee. "

The poet looked full at her; then he turned quickly, as if to avoid adanger, towards the door of the confessional. 

Bent-Anat called his name, and he stayed his steps:

"The daughter of Rameses, " she said, "need offer no justification ofher appearance here, but the maiden Bent-Anat, " and she colored as shespoke, "expected to find, not thee, but the old priest Rui, and shedesired his advice. Now leave me to pray. "

Bent-Anat sank on her knees, and Pentaur went out into the open air. 

When the princess too had left the confessional, loud voices were heardon the south side of the terrace on which they stood. 

She hastened towards the parapet. 

"Hail to Pentaur!" was shouted up from below. The poet rushed forward, and placed himself near the princess. Both looked down into the valley, and could be seen by all. 

"Hail, hail! Pentaur, " was called doubly loud, "Hail to our teacher!come back to the House of Seti. Down with the persecutors ofPentaur--down with our oppressors!"

At the head of the youths, who, so soon as they had found out whitherthe poet had been exiled, had escaped to tell him that they werefaithful to him, stood the prince Rameri, who nodded triumphantly tohis sister, and Anana stepped forward to inform the honored teacher in asolemn and well-studied speech, that, in the event of Ameni refusing torecall him, they had decided requesting their fathers to place them atanother school. 

The young sage spoke well, and Bent-Anat followed his words, not withoutapprobation; but Pentaur's face grew darker, and before his favoritedisciple had ended his speech he interrupted him sternly. 

His voice was at first reproachful, and then complaining, and loud as hespoke, only sorrow rang in his tones, and not anger. 

"In truth, " he concluded, "every word that I have spoken to you I couldbut find it in me to regret, if it has contributed to encourage you tothis mad act. You were born in palaces; learn to obey, that later youmay know how to command. Back to your school! You hesitate? Then I willcome out against you with the watchman, and drive you back, for you dome and yourselves small honor by such a proof of affection. Go back tothe school you belong to. "

The school-boys dared make no answer, but surprised and disenchantedturned to go home. 

Bent-Anat cast down her eyes as she met those of her brother, who shrugged his shoulders, and then she looked half shyly, halfrespectfully, at the poet; but soon again her eyes turned to the plainbelow, for thick dust-clouds whirled across it, the sound of hoofs andthe rattle of wheels became audible, and at the same moment the chariotof Septah, the chief haruspex, and a vehicle with the heavily-armedguard of the House of Seti, stopped near the terrace. 

The angry old man sprang quickly to the ground, called the host ofescaped pupils to him in a stern voice, ordered the guard to drive themback to the school, and hurried up to the temple gates like a vigorousyouth. The priests received him with the deepest reverence, and at oncelaid their complaints before him. 

He heard them willingly, but did not let them discuss the matter; then, though with some difficulty, he quickly mounted the steps, down whichBent-Anat came towards him. 

The princess felt that she would divert all the blame andmisunderstanding to herself, if Septah recognized her; her handinvoluntarily reached for her veil, but she drew it back quickly, lookedwith quiet dignity into the old man's eyes, which flashed with anger, and proudly passed by him. The haruspex bowed, but without giving herhis blessing, and when he met Pentaur on the second terrace, orderedthat the temple should be cleared of worshippers. 

This was done in a few minutes, and the priests were witnesses ofthe most painful, scene which had occurred for years in their quietsanctuary. 

The head of the haruspices of the House of Seti was the most determinedadversary of the poet who had so early been initiated into themysteries, and whose keen intellect often shook those very rampartswhich the zealous old man had, from conviction, labored to strengthenfrom his youth up. The vexatious occurrences, of which he had been awitness at the House of Seti, and here also but a few minutes since, heregarded as the consequence of the unbridled license of an ill-regulatedimagination, and in stern language he called Pentaur to account for the"revolt" of the school-boys. 

"And besides our boys, " he exclaimed, "you have led the daughter ofRameses astray. She was not yet purged of her uncleanness, and yet youtempt her to an assignation, not even in the stranger's quarters--but inthe holy house of this pure Divinity. " Undeserved praise is dangerousto the weak; unjust blame may turn even the strong from the right way. Pentaur indignantly repelled the accusations of the old man, called themunworthy of his age, his position, and his name, and for fear thathis anger might carry him too far, turned his back upon him; but theharuspex ordered him to remain, and in his presence questioned thepriests, who unanimously accused the poet of having admitted to thetemple another unpurified woman besides Bent-Anat, and of havingexpelled the gate-keeper and thrown him into prison for opposing thecrime. 

The haruspex ordered that the "ill-used man" should be set at liberty. 

Pentaur resisted this command, asserted his right to govern in thistemple, and with a trembling voice requested Septah to quit the place. 

The haruspex showed him Ameni's ring, by which, during his residencein Thebes, he made him his plenipotentiary, degraded Pentaur from hisdignity, but ordered him not to quit the sanctuary till further notice, and then finally departed from the temple of Hatasu. 

Pentaur had yielded in silence to the signet of his chief, and returnedto the confessional in which he had met Bent-Anat. He felt his soulshaken to its very foundations, his thoughts were confused, his feelingsstruggling with each other; he shivered, and when he heard the laughterof the priests and the gatekeeper, who were triumphing in their easyvictory, he started and shuddered like a man who in passing a mirrorshould see a brand of disgrace on his brow. 

But by degrees he recovered himself, his spirit grew clearer, and whenhe left the little room to look towards the east--where, on the farthershore, rose the palace where Bent-Anat must be--a deep contempt for hisenemies filled his soul, and a proud feeling of renewed manly energy. He did not conceal from himself that he had enemies; that a time ofstruggle was beginning for him; but he looked forward to it like a younghero to the morning of his first battle. 

CHAPTER XV. 

The afternoon shadows were already growing long, when a splendid chariotdrew up to the gates of the terrace-temple. Paaker, the chief pioneer, stood up in it, driving his handsome and fiery Syrian horses. Behind himstood an Ethiopian slave, and his big dog followed the swift team withhis tongue out. 

As he approached the temple he heard himself called, and checked thepace of his horses. A tiny man hurried up to him, and, as soon as he hadrecognized in him the dwarf Nemu, he cried angrily:

"Is it for you, you rascal, that I stop my drive? What do you want?"

"To crave, " said the little man, bowing humbly, "that, when thy businessin the city of the dead is finished, thou wilt carry me back to Thebes. "

"You are Mena's dwarf?" asked the pioneer. 

"By no means, " replied Nemu. "I belong to his neglected wife, the ladyNefert. I can only cover the road very slowly with my little legs, whilethe hoofs of your horses devour the way-as a crocodile does his prey. "

"Get up!" said Paaker. "Did you come here on foot?"

"No, my lord, " replied Nemu, "on an ass; but a demon entered into thebeast, and has struck it with sickness. I had to leave it on the road. The beasts of Anubis will have a better supper than we to-night. "

"Things are not done handsomely then at your mistress's house?" askedPaaker. 

"We still have bread, " replied Nemu, "and the Nile is full of water. Much meat is not necessary for women and dwarfs, but our last cattletake a form which is too hard for human teeth. "

The pioneer did not understand the joke, and looked enquiringly at thedwarf. 

"The form of money, " said the little man, "and that cannot be chewed;soon that will be gone too, and then the point will be to find a recipefor making nutritious cakes out of earth, water, and palm-leaves. Itmakes very little difference to me, a dwarf does not need much--but thepoor tender lady!"

Paaker touched his horses with such a violent stroke of his whip thatthey reared high, and it took all his strength to control their spirit. 

"The horses' jaws will be broken, " muttered the slave behind. "What ashame with such fine beasts!"

"Have you to pay for them?" growled Paaker. Then he turned again to thedwarf, and asked:

"Why does Mena let the ladies want?"

"He no longer cares for his wife, " replied the dwarf, casting his eyesdown sadly. "At the last division of the spoil he passed by the gold andsilver; and took a foreign woman into his tent. Evil demons have blindedhim, for where is there a woman fairer than Nefert?"

"You love your mistress. "

"As my very eyes!"

During this conversation they had arrived at the terrace-temple. Paakerthrew the reins to the slave, ordered him to wait with Nemu, and turnedto the gate-keeper to explain to him, with the help of a handful ofgold, his desire of being conducted to Pentaur, the chief of the temple. 

The gate-keeper, swinging a censer before him with a hasty action, admitted him into the sanctuary. "You will find him on the thirdterrace, " he said, "but he is no longer our superior. "

"They said so in the temple of Seti, whence I have just come, " repliedPaaker. 

The porter shrugged his shoulders with a sneer, and said: "The palm-treethat is quickly set up falls down more quickly still. " Then he desired aservant to conduct the stranger to Pentaur. 

The poet recognized the Mohar at once, asked his will, and learned thathe was come to have a wonderful vision interpreted by him. 

Paaker explained before relating his dream, that he did not ask thisservice for nothing; and when the priest's countenance darkened headded:

"I will send a fine beast for sacrifice to the Goddess if theinterpretation is favorable. "

"And in the opposite case?" asked Pentaur, who, in the House of Seti, never would have anything whatever to do with the payments of theworshippers or the offerings of the devout. 

"I will offer a sheep, " replied Paaker, who did not perceive the subtleirony that lurked in Pentaur's words, and who was accustomed to pay forthe gifts of the Divinity in proportion to their value to himself. 

Pentaur thought of the verdict which Gagabu, only two evenings since, had passed on the Mohar, and it occurred to him that he would testhow far the man's superstition would lead him. So he asked, while hesuppressed a smile:

"And if I can foretell nothing bad, but also nothing actually good?"--

"An antelope, and four geese, " answered Paaker promptly. 

"But if I were altogether disinclined to put myself at your service?"asked Pentaur. "If I thought it unworthy of a priest to let the Godsbe paid in proportion to their favors towards a particular person, likecorrupt officials; if I now showed you--you--and I have known you froma school-boy, that there are things that cannot be bought with inheritedwealth?"

The pioneer drew back astonished and angry, but Pentaur continuedcalmly--

"I stand here as the minister of the Divinity; and nevertheless, I seeby your countenance, that you were on the point of lowering yourself byshowing to me your violent and extortionate spirit. 

"The Immortals send us dreams, not to give us a foretaste of joy orcaution us against danger, but to remind us so to prepare our soulsthat we may submit quietly to suffer evil, and with heartfelt gratitudeaccept the good; and so gain from each profit for the inner life. I willnot interpret your dream! Come without gifts, but with a humble heart, and with longing for inward purification, and I will pray to the Godsthat they may enlighten me, and give you such interpretation of evenevil dreams that they may be fruitful in blessing. 

"Leave me, and quit the temple!"

Paaker ground his teeth with rage; but he controlled himself, and onlysaid as he slowly withdrew:

"If your office had not already been taken from you, the insolence withwhich you have dismissed me might have cost you your place. We shallmeet again, and then you shall learn that inherited wealth in the righthand is worth more than you will like. "

"Another enemy!" thought the poet, when he found himself alone and stooderect in the glad consciousness of having done right. 

During Paaker's interview with the poet, the dwarf Nemu had chatted tothe porter, and had learned from him all that had previously occurred. 

Paaker mounted his chariot pale with rage, and whipped on his horsesbefore the dwarf had clambered up the step; but the slave seized thelittle man, and set him carefully on his feet behind his master. 

"The villian, the scoundrel! he shall repent it--Pentaur is he called!the hound!" muttered the pioneer to himself. 

The dwarf lost none of his words, and when he caught the name of Pentaurhe called to the pioneer, and said--

"They have appointed a scoundrel to be the superior of this temple;his name is Pentaur. He was expelled from the temple of Seti for hisimmorality, and now he has stirred up the younger scholars to rebellion, and invited unclean women into the temple. My lips hardly dare repeatit, but the gate-keeper swore it was true--that the chief haruspex fromthe House of Seti found him in conference with Bent-Anat, the king'sdaughter, and at once deprived him of his office. "

"With Bent-Anat?" replied the pioneer, and muttered, before the dwarfcould find time to answer, "Indeed, with Bent-Anat!" and he recalled theday before yesterday, when the princess had remained so long with thepriest in the hovel of the paraschites, while he had talked to Nefertand visited the old witch. 

"I should not care to be in the priest's skin, " observed Nemu, "forthough Rameses is far away, the Regent Ani is near enough. He is agentleman who seldom pounces, but even the dove won't allow itself to beattacked in is own nest. "

Paaker looked enquiringly at Nemu. 

"I know, " said the dwarf "Ani has asked Rameses' consent to marry hisdaughter. "

"He has already asked it, " continued the dwarf as Paaker smiledincredulously, "and the king is not disinclined to give it. He likesmaking marriages--as thou must know pretty well. "

"I?" said Paaker, surprised. 

"He forced Katuti to give her daughter as wife to the charioteer. That Iknow from herself. She can prove it to thee. "

Paaker shook his head in denial, but the dwarf continued eagerly, "Yes, yes! Katuti would have had thee for her son-in-law, and it was the king, not she, who broke off the betrothal. Thou must at the same time havebeen inscribed in the black books of the high gate, for Rameses usedmany hard names for thee. One of us is like a mouse behind the curtain, which knows a good deal. "

Paaker suddenly brought his horses to a stand-still, threw the reins tothe slave, sprang from the chariot, called the dwarf to his side, andsaid:

"We will walk from here to the river, and you shall tell me all youknow; but if an untrue word passes your lips I will have you eaten by mydogs. "

"I know thou canst keep thy word, " gasped the little man. "But go alittle slower if thou wilt, for I am quite out of breath. Let Katutiherself tell thee how it all came about. Rameses compelled her to giveher daughter to the charioteer. I do not know what he said of thee, butit was not complimentary. My poor mistress! she let herself be caughtby the dandy, the ladies' man-and now she may weep and wail. When I passthe great gates of thy house with Katuti, she often sighs and complainsbitterly. And with good reason, for it soon will be all over with ournoble estate, and we must seek an asylum far away among the Amu in thelow lands; for the nobles will soon avoid us as outcasts. Thou mayst beglad that thou hast not linked thy fate to ours; but I have a faithfulheart, and will share my mistress's trouble. "

"You speak riddles, " said Paaker, "what have they to fear?"

The dwarf now related how Nefert's brother had gambled away the mummy ofhis father, how enormous was the sum he had lost, and that degradationmust overtake Katuti, and her daughter with her. 

"Who can save them, " he whimpered. "Her shameless husband squanders hisinheritance and his prize-money. Katuti is poor, and the little words'Give me!' scare away friends as the cry of a hawk scares the chickens. My poor mistress!"

"It is a large sum, " muttered Paaker to himself. "It is enormous!"sighed the dwarf, "and where is it to be found in these hard times? Itwould have been different with us, if--ah if--. And it would be a formof madness which I do not believe in, that Nefert should still care forher braggart husband. She thinks as much of thee as of him. "

Paaker looked at the dwarf half incredulous and half threatening. 

"Ay--of thee, " repeated Nemu. "Since our excursion to the Necropolisthe day before yesterday it was--she speaks only of thee, praising thyability, and thy strong manly spirit. It is as if some charm obliged herto think of thee. "

The pioneer began to walk so fast that his small companion once more hadto ask him to moderate his steps. 

They gained the shore in silence, where Paaker's boat was waiting, whichalso conveyed his chariot. He lay down in the little cabin, called thedwarf to him, and said:

"I am Katuti's nearest relative; we are now reconciled; why does she notturn to me in her difficulty?"

"Because she is proud, and thy blood flows in her veins. Sooner wouldshe die with her child--she said so--than ask thee, against whom shesinned, for an 'alms'. "

"She did think of me then?"

"At once; nor did she doubt thy generosity. She esteems thee highly--Irepeat it; and if an arrow from a Cheta's bow or a visitation of theGods attained Mena, she would joyfully place her child in thine arms, and Nefert believe me has not forgotten her playfellow. The day beforeyesterday, when she came home from the Necropolis, and before the letterhad come from the camp, she was full of thee--

 ["To be full (meh) of any one" is used in the Egyptian language for "to be in love with any one. "]

nay called to thee in her dreams; I know it from Kandake, her blackmaid. " The pioneer looked down and said:

"How extraordinary! and the same night I had a vision in which yourmistress appeared to me; the insolent priest in the temple of Hathorshould have interpreted it to me. "

"And he refused? the fool! but other folks understand dreams, and Iam not the worst of them--Ask thy servant. Ninety-nine times out of ahundred my interpretations come true. How was the vision?"

"I stood by the Nile, " said Paaker, casting down his eyes and drawinglines with his whip through the wool of the cabin rug. "The water wasstill, and I saw Nefert standing on the farther bank, and beckoning tome. I called to her, and she stepped on the water, which bore her up asif it were this carpet. She went over the water dry-foot as if it werethe stony wilderness. A wonderful sight! She came nearer to me, andnearer, and already I had tried to take her hand, when she ducked underlike a swan. I went into the water to seize her, and when she cameup again I clasped her in my arms; but then the strangest thinghappened--she flowed away, she dissolved like the snow on the Syrianhills, when you take it in your hand, and yet it was not the same, forher hair turned to water-lilies, and her eyes to blue fishes that swamaway merrily, and her lips to twigs of coral that sank at once, andfrom her body grew a crocodile, with a head like Mena, that laughedand gnashed its teeth at me. Then I was seized with blind fury; I threwmyself upon him with a drawn sword, he fastened his teeth in my flesh, Ipierced his throat with my weapon; the Nile was dark with our streamingblood, and so we fought and fought--it lasted an eternity--till Iawoke. "

Paaker drew a deep breath as he ceased speaking; as if his wild dreamtormented him again. 

The dwarf had listened with eager attention, but several minutes passedbefore he spoke. 

"A strange dream, " he said, "but the interpretation as to the futureis not hard to find. Nefert is striving to reach thee, she longs to bethine, but if thou dost fancy that she is already in thy grasp she willelude thee; thy hopes will melt like ice, slip away like sand, if thoudost not know how to put the crocodile out of the way. "

At this moment the boat struck the landing-place. The pioneer startedup, and cried, "We have reached the end!"

"We have reached the end, " echoed the little man with meaning. "There isonly a narrow bridge to step over. "

When they both stood on the shore, the dwarf said, "I have to thank thee for thy hospitality, and when I can serve theecommand me. "

"Come here, " cried the pioneer, and drew Nemu away with him under theshade of a sycamore veiled in the half light of the departing sun. 

"What do you mean by a bridge which we must step over? I do notunderstand the flowers of speech, and desire plain language. "

The dwarf reflected for a moment; and then asked, "Shall I say nakedlyand openly what I mean, and will you not be angry?"

"Speak!"

"Mena is the crocodile. Put him out of the world, and you will havepassed the bridge; then Nefert will be thine--if thou wilt listen tome. "

"What shall I do?"

"Put the charioteer out of the world. "

Paaker's gesture seemed to convey that that was a thing that had longbeen decided on, and he turned his face, for a good omen, so that therising moon should be on his right hand. 

The dwarf went on. 

"Secure Nefert, so that she may not vanish like her image in the dream, before you reach the goal; that is to say, ransom the honor of yourfuture mother and wife, for how could you take an outcast into yourhouse?"

Paaker looked thoughtfully at the ground. 

"May I inform my mistress that thou wilt save her?" asked Nemu. "Imay?--Then all will be well, for he who will devote a fortune to lovewill not hesitate to devote a reed lance with a brass point to it to hislove and his hatred together. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

The sun had set, and darkness covered the City of the Dead, but the moonshone above the valley of the kings' tombs, and the projecting massesof the rocky walls of the chasm threw sharply-defined shadows. A weirdsilence lay upon the desert, where yet far more life was stirring thanin the noonday hour, for now bats darted like black silken threadsthrough the night air, owls hovered aloft on wide-spread wings, smalltroops of jackals slipped by, one following the other up the mountainslopes. From time to time their hideous yell, or the whining laugh ofthe hyena, broke the stillness of the night. 

Nor was human life yet at rest in the valley of tombs. A faint lightglimmered in the cave of the sorceress Hekt, and in front of theparaschites' but a fire was burning, which the grandmother of the sickUarda now and then fed with pieces of dry manure. Two men were seated infront of the hut, and gazed in silence on the thin flame, whose impurelight was almost quenched by the clearer glow of the moon; whilst thethird, Uarda's father, disembowelled a large ram, whose head he hadalready cut off. 

"How the jackals howl!" said the old paraschites, drawing as he spokethe torn brown cotton cloth, which he had put on as a protection againstthe night air and the dew, closer round his bare shoulders. 

"They scent the fresh meat, " answered the physician, Nebsecht. "Throwthem the entrails, when you have done; the legs and back you can roast. Be careful how you cut out the heart--the heart, soldier. There it is!What a great beast. "

Nebsecht took the ram's heart in his hand, and gazed at it with thedeepest attention, whilst the old paraschites watched him anxiously. Atlength:

"I promised, " he said, "to do for you what you wish, if you restore thelittle one to health; but you ask for what is impossible. "

"Impossible?" said the physician, "why, impossible? You open thecorpses, you go in and out of the house of the embalmer. Get possessionof one of the canopi, [Vases of clay, limestone, or alabaster, which were used for the preservation of the intestines of the embalmed Egyptians, and represented the four genii of death, Amset, Hapi, Tuamutef, and Khebsennuf. Instead of the cover, the head of the genius to which it was dedicated, was placed on each kanopus. Amset (tinder the protection of Isis) has a human head, Hapi (protected by Nephthys) an ape's head, Tuamutef (protected by Neith) a jackal's head, and Khebsennuf (protected by Selk) a sparrow-hawk's head. In one of the Christian Coptic Manuscripts, the four archangels are invoked in the place of these genii. ]

lay this heart in it, and take out in its stead the heart of a humanbeing. No one--no one will notice it. Nor need you do it to-morrow, orthe day after tomorrow even. Your son can buy a ram to kill every daywith my money till the right moment comes. Your granddaughter will soongrow strong on a good meat-diet. Take courage!"

"I am not afraid of the danger, " said the old man, "but how can Iventure to steal from a dead man his life in the other world? Andthen--in shame and misery have I lived, and for many a year--no manhas numbered them for me--have I obeyed the commandments, that I may befound righteous in that world to come, and in the fields of Aalu, andin the Sun-bark find compensation for all that I have suffered here. Youare good and friendly. Why, for the sake of a whim, should you sacrificethe future bliss of a man, who in all his long life has never knownhappiness, and who has never done you any harm?"

"What I want with the heart, " replied the physician, "you cannotunderstand, but in procuring it for me, you will be furthering a greatand useful purpose. I have no whims, for I am no idler. And as to whatconcerns your salvation, have no anxiety. I am a priest, and take yourdeed and its consequences upon myself; upon myself, do you understand?I tell you, as a priest, that what I demand of you is right, and if thejudge of the dead shall enquire, 'Why didst thou take the heart of ahuman being out of the Kanopus?' then reply--reply to him thus, 'BecauseNebsecht, the priest, commanded me, and promised himself to answer forthe deed. '"

The old man gazed thoughtfully on the ground, and the physiciancontinued still more urgently:

"If you fulfil my wish, then--then I swear to you that, when you die, Iwill take care that your mummy is provided with all the amulets, and Imyself will write you a book of the Entrance into Day, and have it woundwithin your mummy-cloth, as is done with the great. 

 [The Books of the Dead are often found amongst the cloths, (by the leg or under the arm), or else in the coffin trader, or near, the mummy. ]

That will give you power over all demons, and you will be admitted tothe hall of the twofold justice, which punishes and rewards, and youraward will be bliss. "

"But the theft of a heart will make the weight of my sins heavy, when myown heart is weighed, " sighed the old man. 

Nebsecht considered for a moment, and then said: "I will give you awritten paper, in which I will certify that it was I who commanded thetheft. You will sew it up in a little bag, carry it on your breast, andhave it laid with you in the grave. Then when Techuti, the agent of thesoul, receives your justification before Osiris and the judges of thedead, give him the writing. He will read it aloud, and you will beaccounted just. "

 [The vignettes of Chapter 125 of the Book of the Dead represent the Last Judgment of the Egyptians. Under a canopy Osiris sits enthroned as Chief Judge, 42 assessors assist him. In the hall stand the scales; the dog headed ape, the animal sacred to Toth, guides the balance. In one scale lies the heart of the dead man, in the other the image of the goddess of Truth, who introduces the soul into the hall of justice Toth writs the record. The soul affirms that it has not committed 42 deadly sins, and if it obtains credit, it is named "maa cheru, " i. E. "the truth-speaker, " and is therewith declared blessed. It now receives its heart back, and grows into a new and divine life. ]

"I am not learned in writing, " muttered the paraschites with a slightmistrust that made itself felt in his voice. 

"But I swear to you by the nine great Gods, that I will write nothingon the paper but what I have promised you. I will confess that I, thepriest Nebsecht, commanded you to take the heart, and that your guilt ismine. "

"Let me have the writing then, " murmured the old man. 

The physician wiped the perspiration from his forehead, and gave theparaschites his hand. "To-morrow you shall have it, " he said, "and Iwill not leave your granddaughter till she is well again. "

The soldier engaged in cutting up the ram, had heard nothing of thisconversation. Now he ran a wooden spit through the legs, and held themover the fire to roast them. The jackals howled louder as the smell ofthe melting fat filled the air, and the old man, as he looked on, forgotthe terrible task he had undertaken. For a year past, no meat had beentasted in his house. 

The physician Nebsecht, himself eating nothing but a piece of bread, looked on at the feasters. They tore the meat from the bones, and thesoldier, especially, devoured the costly and unwonted meal like someravenous animal. He could be heard chewing like a horse in the manger, and a feeling of disgust filled the physician's soul. 

"Sensual beings, " he murmured to himself, "animals with consciousness!And yet human beings. Strange! They languish bound in the fetters of theworld of sense, and yet how much more ardently they desire that whichtranscends sense than we--how much more real it is to them than to us!"

"Will you have some meat?" cried the soldier, who had remarked thatNebsecht's lips moved, and tearing a piece of meat from the bone of thejoint he was devouring, he held it out to the physician. Nebsecht shrankback; the greedy look, the glistening teeth, the dark, rough features ofthe man terrified him. And he thought of the white and fragile form ofthe sick girl lying within on the mat, and a question escaped his lips. 

"Is the maiden, is Uarda, your own child?" he said. 

The soldier struck himself on the breast. "So sure as the king Ramesesis the son of Seti, " he answered. The men had finished their meal, andthe flat cakes of bread which the wife of the paraschites gave them, andon which they had wiped their hands from the fat, were consumed, when the soldier, in whose slow brain the physician's question stilllingered, said, sighing deeply:

"Her mother was a stranger; she laid the white dove in the raven'snest. "

"Of what country was your wife a native?" asked the physician. 

"That I do not know, " replied the soldier. 

"Did you never enquire about the family of your own wife?"

"Certainly I did: but how could she have answered me? But it is a longand strange story. "

"Relate it to me, " said Nebsecht, "the night is long, and I likelistening better than talking. But first I will see after our patient. "

When the physician had satisfied himself that Uarda was sleeping quietlyand breathing regularly, he seated himself again by the paraschites andhis son, and the soldier began:

"It all happened long ago. King Seti still lived, but Rameses alreadyreigned in his stead, when I came home from the north. They had sent meto the workmen, who were building the fortifications in Zoan, the townof Rameses. --[The Rameses of the Bible. Exodus i. Ii. ]--I was set oversix men, Amus, --[Semites]--of the Hebrew race, over whom Rameses keptsuch a tight hand. 

 [For an account of the traces of the Jews in Egypt, see Chabas, Melanges, and Ebers, AEgypten und die Bucher Moses]

Amongst the workmen there were sons of rich cattle-holders, for inlevying the people it was never: 'What have you?' but 'Of what race areyou?' The fortifications and the canal which was to join the Nile andthe Red Sea had to be completed, and the king, to whom be long life, health, and prosperity, took the youth of Egypt with him to the wars, and left the work to the Amus, who are connected by race with hisenemies in the east. One lives well in Goshen, for it is a fine country, with more than enough of corn and grass and vegetables and fish andfowls, and I always had of the best, for amongst my six people were twomother's darlings, whose parents sent me many a piece of silver. Everyone loves his children, but the Hebrews love them more tenderly thanother people. We had daily our appointed tale of bricks to deliver, andwhen the sun burnt hot, I used to help the lads, and I did more in anhour than they did in three, for I am strong and was still stronger thenthan I am now. 

"Then came the time when I was relieved. I was ordered to return toThebes, to the prisoners of war who were building the great temple ofAmon over yonder, and as I had brought home some money, and it wouldtake a good while to finish the great dwelling of the king of the Gods, I thought of taking a wife; but no Egyptian. Of daughters of paraschitesthere were plenty; but I wanted to get away out of my father'saccursed caste, and the other girls here, as I knew, were afraid of ouruncleanness. In the low country I had done better, and many an Amu andSchasu woman had gladly come to my tent. From the beginning I had set mymind on an Asiatic. 

"Many a time maidens taken prisoners in war were brought to be sold, buteither they did not please me, or they were too dear. Meantime my moneymelted away, for we enjoyed life in the time of rest which followed theworking hours. There were dancers too in plenty, in the foreign quarter. 

"Well, it was just at the time of the holy feast of Amon-Chem, that anew transport of prisoners of war arrived, and amongst them many women, who were sold publicly to the highest bidder. The young and beautifulones were paid for high, but even the older ones were too dear for me. 

"Quite at the last a blind woman was led forward, and a withered-lookingwoman who was dumb, as the auctioneer, who generally praised up themerits of the prisoners, informed the buyers. The blind woman hadstrong hands, and was bought by a tavern-keeper, for whom she turns thehandmill to this day; the dumb woman held a child in her arms, and noone could tell whether she was young or old. She looked as though shealready lay in her coffin, and the little one as though he would gounder the grass before her. And her hair was red, burning red, the verycolor of Typhon. Her white pale face looked neither bad nor good, onlyweary, weary to death. On her withered white arms blue veins ran likedark cords, her hands hung feebly down, and in them hung the child. If awind were to rise, I thought to myself, it would blow her away, and thelittle one with her. 

"The auctioneer asked for a bid. All were silent, for the dumb shadowwas of no use for work; she was half-dead, and a burial costs money. 

"So passed several minutes. Then the auctioneer stepped up to her, andgave her a blow with his whip, that she might rouse herself up, andappear less miserable to the buyers. She shivered like a person in afever, pressed the child closer to her, and looked round at every one asthough seeking for help--and me full in the face. What happened now wasa real wonder, for her eyes were bigger than any that I ever saw, and ademon dwelt in them that had power over me and ruled me to the end, andthat day it bewitched me for the first time. 

"It was not hot and I had drunk nothing, and yet I acted against my ownwill and better judgment when, as her eyes fell upon me, I bid allthat I possessed in order to buy her. I might have had her cheaper! Mycompanions laughed at me, the auctioneer shrugged his shoulders as hetook my money, but I took the child on my arm, helped the woman up, carried her in a boat over the Nile, loaded a stone-cart with mymiserable property, and drove her like a block of lime home to the oldpeople. 

"My mother shook her head, and my father looked as if he thought me mad;but neither of them said a word. They made up a bed for her, and on myspare nights I built that ruined thing hard by--it was a tidy hut once. Soon my mother grew fond of the child. It was quite small, and we calledit Pennu--[Pennu is the name for the mouse in old Egyptian]--becauseit was so pretty, like a little mouse. I kept away from the foreignquarter, and saved my wages, and bought a goat, which lived in front ofour door when I took the woman to her own hut. 

"She was dumb, but not deaf, only she did not understand our language;but the demon in her eyes spoke for her and understood what I said. Shecomprehended everything, and could say everything with her eyes; butbest of all she knew how to thank one. No high-priest who at the greathill festival praises the Gods in long hymns for their gifts can returnthanks so earnestly with his lips as she with her dumb eyes. And whenshe wished to pray, then it seemed as though the demon in her look wasmightier than ever. 

"At first I used to be impatient enough when she leaned so feeblyagainst the wall, or when the child cried and disturbed my sleep; butshe had only to look up, and the demon pressed my heart together andpersuaded me that the crying was really a song. Pennu cried more sweetlytoo than other children, and he had such soft, white, pretty littlefingers. 

"One day he had been crying for a long time, At last I bent down overhim, and was going to scold him, but he seized me by the beard. It waspretty to see! Afterwards he was for ever wanting to pull me about, and his mother noticed that that pleased me, for when I brought homeanything good, an egg or a flower or a cake, she used to hold him up andplace his little hands on my beard. 

"Yes, in a few months the woman had learnt to hold him up high in herarms, for with care and quiet she had grown stronger. White she alwaysremained and delicate, but she grew younger and more beautiful from dayto day; she can hardly have numbered twenty years when I bought her. What she was called I never heard; nor did we give her any name. She was'the woman, ' and so we called her. 

"Eight moons passed by, and then the little Mouse died. I wept as shedid, and as I bent over the little corpse and let my tears have freecourse, and thought--now he can never lift up his pretty little fingerto you again; then I felt for the first time the woman's soft hand on mycheek. She stroked my rough beard as a child might, and with that lookedat me so gratefully that I felt as though king Pharaoh had all at oncemade me a present of both Upper and Lower Egypt. 

"When the Mouse was buried she got weaker again, but my mother took goodcare of her. I lived with her, like a father with his child. She wasalways friendly, but if I approached her, and tried to show her anyfondness, she would look at me, and the demon in her eyes drove me back, and I let her alone. 

"She grew healthier and stronger and more and more beautiful, sobeautiful that I kept her hidden, and was consumed by the longing tomake her my wife. A good housewife she never became, to be sure; herhands were so tender, and she did not even know how to milk the goat. Mymother did that and everything else for her. 

"In the daytime she stayed in her hut and worked, for she was veryskillful at woman's work, and wove lace as fine as cobwebs, which mymother sold that she might bring home perfumes with the proceeds. Shewas very fond of them, and of flowers too; and Uarda in there takesafter her. 

"In the evening, when the folk from the other side had left the Cityof the Dead, she would often walk down the valley here, thoughtful andoften looking up at the moon, which she was especially fond of. 

"One evening in the winter-time I came home. It was already dark, and Iexpected to find her in front of the door. All at once, about a hundredsteps behind old Hekt's cave, I heard a troop of jackals barking sofuriously that I said to myself directly they had attacked a humanbeing, and I knew too who it was, though no one had told me, and thewoman could not call or cry out. Frantic with terror, I tore a firebrandfrom the hearth and the stake to which the goat was fastened out of theground, rushed to her help, drove away the beasts, and carried her backsenseless to the hut. My mother helped me, and we called her back tolife. When we were alone, I wept like a child for joy at her escape, andshe let me kiss her, and then she became my wife, three years after Ihad bought her. 

"She bore me a little maid, that she herself named Uarda; for she showedus a rose, and then pointed to the child, and we understood her withoutwords. 

"Soon afterwards she died. 

"You are a priest, but I tell you that when I am summoned before Osiris, if I am admitted amongst the blessed, I will ask whether I shall meet mywife, and if the doorkeeper says no, he may thrust me back, and I willgo down cheerfully to the damned, if I find her again there. "

"And did no sign ever betray her origin?" asked the physician. 

The soldier had hidden his face in his hand; he was weeping aloud, anddid not hear the question. But, the paraschites answered:

"She was the child of some great personage, for in her clothes we founda golden jewel with a precious stone inscribed with strange characters. It is very costly, and my wife is keeping it for the little one. "

CHAPTER XVII. 

In the earliest glimmer of dawn the following clay, the physicianNebsecht having satisfied himself as to the state of the sick girl, leftthe paraschites' hut and made his way in deepest thought to the 'TerraceTemple of Hatasu, to find his friend Pentaur and compose the writingwhich he had promised to the old man. 

As the sun arose in radiance he reached the sanctuary. He expected tohear the morning song of the priests, but all was silent. He knocked andthe porter, still half-asleep, opened the door. 

Nebsecht enquired for the chief of the Temple. "He died in the night, "said the man yawning. 

"What do you say?" cried the physician in sudden terror, "who is dead?"

"Our good old chief, Rui. "

Nebsecht breathed again, and asked for Pentaur. 

"You belong to the House of Seti, " said the doorkeeper, "and you do notknow that he is deposed from his office? The holy fathers have refusedto celebrate the birth of Ra with him. He sings for himself now, aloneup on the watch-tower. There you will find him. "

Nebsecht strode quickly up the stairs. Several of the priests placedthemselves together in groups as soon as they saw him, and begansinging. He paid no heed to them, however, but hastened on to theuppermost terrace, where he found his friend occupied in writing. 

Soon he learnt all that had happened, and wrathfully he cried: "You aretoo honest for those wise gentlemen in the House of Seti, and too pureand zealous for the rabble here. I knew it, I knew what would come of itif they introduced you to the mysteries. For us initiated there remainsonly the choice between lying and silence. "

"The old error!" said Pentaur, "we know that the Godhead is One, we nameit, 'The All, ' 'The Veil of the All, ' or simply 'Ra. ' But under the nameRa we understand something different than is known to the common herd;for to us, the Universe is God, and in each of its parts we recognizea manifestation of that highest being without whom nothing is, in theheights above or in the depths below. "

"To me you can say everything, for I also am initiated, " interruptedNebsecht. 

"But neither from the laity do I withhold it, " cried Pentaur, "onlyto those who are incapable of understanding the whole, do I show thedifferent parts. Am I a liar if I do not say, 'I speak, ' but 'my mouthspeaks, ' if I affirm, 'Your eye sees, ' when it is you yourself whoare the seer. When the light of the only One manifests itself, then Ifervently render thanks to him in hymns, and the most luminous of hisforms I name Ra. When I look upon yonder green fields, I call upon thefaithful to give thanks to Rennut, that is, that active manifestationof the One, through which the corn attains to its ripe maturity. Am Ifilled with wonder at the bounteous gifts with which that divine streamwhose origin is hidden, blesses our land, then I adore the One as theGod Hapi, the secret one. Whether we view the sun, the harvest, or theNile, whether we contemplate with admiration the unity and harmony ofthe visible or invisible world, still it is always with the Only, theAll-embracing One we have to do, to whom we also ourselves belong asthose of his manifestations in which lie places his self-consciousness. The imagination of the multitude is limited. . . . "

"And so we lions, ["The priests, " says Clement of Alexandria, "allow none to be participators in their mysteries, except kings or such amongst themselves as are distinguished for virtue or wisdom. " The same thing is shown by the monuments in many places]

give them the morsel that we can devour at one gulp, finely chopped up, and diluted with broth as if for the weak stomach of a sick man. "

"Not so; we only feel it our duty to temper and sweeten the sharppotion, which for men even is almost too strong, before we offer it tothe children, the babes in spirit. The sages of old veiled indeedthe highest truths in allegorical forms, in symbols, and finally in abeautiful and richly-colored mythos, but they brought them near to themultitude shrouded it is true but still discernible. "

"Discernible?" said the physician, "discernible? Why then the veil?"

"And do you imagine that the multitude could look the naked truth in theface, [In Sais the statue of Athene (Neith) has the following, inscription: "I am the All, the Past, the Present, and the Future, my veil has no mortal yet lifted. " Plutarch, Isis and Osiris 9, a similar quotation by Proclus, in Plato's Timaeus. ]

and not despair?"

"Can I, can any one who looks straight forward, and strives to see thetruth and nothing but the truth?" cried the physician. "We both of usknow that things only are, to us, such as they picture themselves in theprepared mirror of our souls. I see grey, grey, and white, white, andhave accustomed myself in my yearning after knowledge, not to attributethe smallest part to my own idiosyncrasy, if such indeed there beexisting in my empty breast. You look straight onwards as I do, but inyou each idea is transfigured, for in your soul invisible shaping powersare at work, which set the crooked straight, clothe the commonplace withcharm, the repulsive with beauty. You are a poet, an artist; I only seekfor truth. "

"Only?" said Pentaur, "it is just on account of that effort that Iesteem you so highly, and, as you already know, I also desire nothingbut the truth. "

"I know, I know, " said the physician nodding, "but our ways run sideby side without ever touching, and our final goal is the reading of ariddle, of which there are many solutions. You believe yourself to havefound the right one, and perhaps none exists. "

"Then let us content ourselves with the nearest and the most beautiful, "said Pentaur. 

"The most beautiful?" cried Nebsecht indignantly. "Is that monster, whomyou call God, beautiful--the giant who for ever regenerates himself thathe may devour himself again? God is the All, you say, who suffices tohimself. Eternal he is and shall be, because all that goes forth fromhim is absorbed by him again, and the great niggard bestows no grain ofsand, no ray of light, no breath of wind, without reclaiming it for hishousehold, which is ruled by no design, no reason, no goodness, but by atyrannical necessity, whose slave he himself is. The coward hides behindthe cloud of incomprehensibility, and can be revealed only by himself--Iwould I could strip him of the veil! Thus I see the thing that you callGod!"

"A ghastly picture, " said Pentaur, "because you forget that we recognizereason to be the essence of the All, the penetrating and moving power ofthe universe which is manifested in the harmonious working togetherof its parts, and in ourselves also, since we are formed out of itssubstance, and inspired with its soul. "

"Is the warfare of life in any way reasonable?" asked Nebsecht. "Is thiseternal destruction in order to build up again especially well-designedand wise? And with this introduction of reason into the All, you provideyourself with a self-devised ruler, who terribly resembles the graciousmasters and mistresses that you exhibit to the people. "

"Only apparently, " answered Pentaur, "only because that which transcendssense is communicable through the medium of the senses alone. When Godmanifests himself as the wisdom of the world, we call him 'the Word, ''He, who covers his limbs with names, ' as the sacred Text expressesitself, is the power which gives to things their distinctive forms; thescarabaeus, 'which enters life as its own son' reminds us of the everself-renewing creative power which causes you to call our merciful andbenevolent God a monster, but which you can deny as little as you canthe happy choice of the type; for, as you know, there are only malescarabei, and this animal reproduces itself. "

Nebsecht smiled. "If all the doctrines of the mysteries, " he said, "haveno more truth than this happily chosen image, they are in a bad way. These beetles have for years been my friends and companions. I knowtheir family life, and I can assure you that there are males and femalesamongst them as amongst cats, apes, and human beings. Your 'good God' Ido not know, and what I least comprehend in thinking it over quietly isthe circumstance that you distinguish a good and evil principle in theworld. If the All is indeed God, if God as the scriptures teach, isgoodness, and if besides him is nothing at all, where is a place to befound for evil?"

"You talk like a school-boy, " said Pentaur indignantly. "All that is, isgood and reasonable in itself, but the infinite One, who prescribes hisown laws and his own paths, grants to the finite its continuance throughcontinual renewal, and in the changing forms of the finite progressesfor evermore. What we call evil, darkness, wickedness, is in itselfdivine, good, reasonable, and clear; but it appears in another light toour clouded minds, because we perceive the way only and not the goal, the details only, and not the whole. Even so, superficial listenersblame the music, in which a discord is heard, which the harper has onlyevoked from the strings that his hearers may more deeply feel the purityof the succeeding harmony; even so, a fool blames the painter who hascolored his board with black, and does not wait for the completionof the picture which shall be thrown into clearer relief by the darkbackground; even so, a child chides the noble tree, whose fruit rots, that a new life may spring up from its kernel. Apparent evil is but anantechamber to higher bliss, as every sunset is but veiled by night, andwill soon show itself again as the red dawn of a new day. "

"How convincing all that sounds!" answered the physician, "all, eventhe terrible, wins charm from your lips; but I could invert yourproposition, and declare that it is evil that rules the world, andsometimes gives us one drop of sweet content, in order that we may morekeenly feel the bitterness of life. You see harmony and goodnessin everything. I have observed that passion awakens life, that allexistence is a conflict, that one being devours another. "

"And do you not feel the beauty of visible creation, and does not theimmutable law in everything fill you with admiration and humility?"

"For beauty, " replied Nebsecht, "I have never sought; the organ issomehow wanting in me to understand it of myself, though I willinglyallow you to mediate between us. But of law in nature I fully appreciatethe worth, for that is the veritable soul of the universe. You call theOne 'Temt, ' that is to say the total--the unity which is reached by theaddition of many units; and that pleases me, for the elements of theuniverse and the powers which prescribe the paths of life arestrictly defined by measure and number--but irrespective of beauty orbenevolence. "

"Such views, " cried Pentaur troubled, "are the result of your strangestudies. You kill and destroy, in order, as you yourself say, to comeupon the track of the secrets of life. Look out upon nature, developthe faculty which you declare to be wanting, in you, and the beauty ofcreation will teach you without my assistance that you are praying to afalse god. "

"I do not pray, " said Nebsecht, "for the law which moves the world isas little affected by prayers as the current of the sands in yourhour-glass. Who tells you that I do not seek to come upon the track ofthe first beginning of things? I proved to you just now that I know moreabout the origin of Scarabei than you do. I have killed many an animal, not only to study its organism, but also to investigate how it has builtup its form. But precisely in this work my organ for beauty has becomeblunt rather than keen. I tell you that the beginning of things is notmore attractive to contemplate than their death and decomposition. "

Pentaur looked at the physician enquiringly. 

"I also for once, " continued Nebsecht, "will speak in figures. Look atthis wine, how pure it is, how fragrant; and yet it was trodden from thegrape by the brawny feet of the vintagers. And those full ears of corn!They gleam golden yellow, and will yield us snow-white meal when theyare ground, and yet they grew from a rotting seed. Lately you werepraising to me the beauty of the great Hall of Columns nearly completedin the Temple of Amon over yonder in Thebes. 

 [Begun by Rameses I. Continued by Seti I. , completed by Rameses II. The remains of this immense hall, with its 134 columns, have not their equal in the world. ]

How posterity will admire it! I saw that Hall arise. There lay masses offreestone in wild confusion, dust in heaps that took away my breath, and three months since I was sent over there, because above a hundredworkmen engaged in stone-polishing under the burning sun had been beatento death. Were I a poet like you, I would show you a hundred similarpictures, in which you would not find much beauty. In the meantime, we have enough to do in observing the existing order of things, andinvestigating the laws by which it is governed. "

"I have never clearly understood your efforts, and have difficulty incomprehending why you did not turn to the science of the haruspices, "said Pentaur. "Do you then believe that the changing, and--owing to theconditions by which they are surrounded--the dependent life of plantsand animals is governed by law, rule, and numbers like the movement ofthe stars?"

"What a question! Is the strong and mighty hand, which compels yonderheavenly bodies to roll onward in their carefully-appointed orbits, notdelicate enough to prescribe the conditions of the flight of the bird, and the beating of the human heart?"

"There we are again with the heart, " said the poet smiling, "are you anynearer your aim?"

The physician became very grave. "Perhaps tomorrow even, " he said, "Imay have what I need. You have your palette there with red and blackcolor, and a writing reed. May I use this sheet of papyrus?"

"Of course; but first tell me. . . . "

"Do not ask; you would not approve of my scheme, and there would only bea fresh dispute. "

"I think, " said the poet, laying his hand on his friend's shoulder, "that we have no reason to fear disputes. So far they have been thecement, the refreshing dew of our friendship. "

"So long as they treated of ideas only, and not of deeds. "

"You intend to get possession of a human heart!" cried the poet. "Thinkof what you are doing! The heart is the vessel of that effluence of theuniversal soul, which lives in us. "

"Are you so sure of that?" cried the physician with some irritation, "then give me the proof. Have you ever examined a heart, has any onemember of my profession done so? The hearts of criminals and prisonersof war even are declared sacred from touch, and when we stand helplessby a patient, and see our medicines work harm as often as good, why isit? Only because we physicians are expected to work as blindly as anastronomer, if he were required to look at the stars through a board. AtHeliopolis I entreated the great Urma Rahotep, the truly learned chiefof our craft, and who held me in esteem, to allow me to examine theheart of a dead Amu; but he refused me, because the great Sechet leadsvirtuous Semites also into the fields of the blessed. 

 [According to the inscription accompanying the famous representations of the four nations (Egyptians, Semites, Libyans, and Ethiopians) in the tomb of Seti I. ]

And then followed all the old scruples: that to cut up the heart of abeast even is sinful, because it also is the vehicle of a soul, perhapsa condemned and miserable human soul, which before it can return to theOne, must undergo purification by passing through the bodies of animals. I was not satisfied, and declared to him that my great-grandfatherNebsecht, before he wrote his treatise on the heart, must certainlyhave examined such an organ. Then he answered me that the divinity hadrevealed to him what he had written, and therefore his work had beenaccepted amongst the sacred writings of Toth, [Called by the Greeks "Hermetic Books. " The Papyrus Ebers is the work called by Clemens of Alexandria "the Book of Remedies. "]

which stood fast and unassailable as the laws of the world; he wishedto give me peace for quiet work, and I also, he said, might be a chosenspirit, the divinity might perhaps vouchsafe revelations to me too. Iwas young at that time, and spent my nights in prayer, but I only wastedaway, and my spirit grew darker instead of clearer. Then I killed insecret--first a fowl, then rats, then a rabbit, and cut up their hearts, and followed the vessels that lead out of them, and know little more nowthan I did at first; but I must get to the bottom of the truth, and Imust have a human heart. "

"What will that do for you?" asked Pentaur; "you cannot hope to perceivethe invisible and the infinite with your human eyes?"

"Do you know my great-grandfather's treatise?"

"A little, " answered the poet; "he said that wherever he laid hisfinger, whether on the head, the hands, or the stomach, he everywheremet with the heart, because its vessels go into all the members, and theheart is the meeting point of all these vessels. Then Nebsecht proceedsto state how these are distributed in the different members, andshows--is it not so?--that the various mental states, such as anger, grief, aversion, and also the ordinary use of the word heart, declareentirely for his view. "

"That is it. We have already discussed it, and I believe that he isright, so far as the blood is concerned, and the animal sensations. Butthe pure and luminous intelligence in us--that has another seat, " andthe physician struck his broad but low forehead with his hand. "I haveobserved heads by the hundred down at the place of execution, and I havealso removed the top of the skulls of living animals. But now let mewrite, before we are disturbed. "

 [Human brains are prescribed for a malady of the eyes in the Ebers papyrus. Herophilus, one of the first scholars of the Alexandrine Museum, studied not only the bodies of executed criminals, but made his experiments also on living malefactors. He maintained that the four cavities of the human brain are the seat of the soul. ]

The physician took the reed, moistened it with black color prepared fromburnt papyrus, and in elegant hieratic characters

 [At the time of our narrative the Egyptians had two kinds of writing-the hieroglyphic, which was generally used for monumental inscriptions, and in which the letters consisted of conventional representations of various objects, mathematical and arbitrary symbols, and the hieratic, used for writing on papyrus, and in which, with the view of saving time, the written pictures underwent so many alterations and abbreviations that the originals could hardly be recognized. In the 8th century there was a further abridgment of the hieratic writing, which was called the demotic, or people's writing, and was used in commerce. Whilst the hieroglyphic and hieratic writings laid the foundations of the old sacred dialect, the demotic letters were only used to write the spoken language of the people. E. De Rouge's Chrestomathie Egyptienne. H. Brugsch's Hieroglyphische Grammatik. Le Page Renouf's shorter hieroglyphical grammar. Ebers' Ueber das Hieroglyphische Schriftsystem, 2nd edition, 1875, in the lectures of Virchow Holtzendorff. ]

wrote the paper for the paraschites, in which he confessed to havingimpelled him to the theft of a heart, and in the most binding mannerdeclared himself willing to take the old man's guilt upon himself beforeOsiris and the judges of the dead. 

When he had finished, Pentaur held out his hand for the paper, butNebsecht folded it together, placed it in a little bag in which layan amulet that his dying mother had hung round his neck, and said, breathing deeply:

"That is done. Farewell, Pentaur. "

But the poet held the physician back; he spoke to him with the warmestwords, and conjured him to abandon his enterprise. His prayers, however, had no power to touch Nebsecht, who only strove forcibly to disengagehis finger from Pentaur's strong hand, which held him as in a clasp ofiron. The excited poet did not remark that he was hurting his friend, until after a new and vain attempt at freeing himself, Nebsecht criedout in pain, "You are crushing my finger!"

A smile passed over the poet's face, he loosened his hold on thephysician, and stroked the reddened hand like a mother who strives todivert her child from pain. 

"Don't be angry with me, Nebsecht, " he said, "you know my unlucky fists, and to-day they really ought to hold you fast, for you have too mad apurpose on hand. "

"Mad?" said the physician, whilst he smiled in his turn. "It may be so;but do you not know that we Egyptians all have a peculiar tenderness forour follies, and are ready to sacrifice house and land to them?"

"Our own house and our own land, " cried the poet: and then addedseriously, "but not the existence, not the happiness of another. "

"Have I not told you that I do not look upon the heart as the seat ofour intelligence? So far as I am concerned, I would as soon be buriedwith a ram's heart as with my own. "

"I do not speak of the plundered dead, but of the living, " said thepoet. "If the deed of the paraschites is discovered, he is undone, andyou would only have saved that sweet child in the hut behind there, tofling her into deeper misery. "

Nebsecht looked at the other with as much astonishment and dismay, as ifhe had been awakened from sleep by bad tidings. Then he cried: "All thatI have, I would share with the old man and Uarda. "

"And who would protect her?"

"Her father. "

"That rough drunkard who to-morrow or the day after may be sent no oneknows where. "

"He is a good fellow, " said the physician interrupting his friend, andstammering violently. "But who 'would do anything to the child? She isso so. . . . She is so charming, so perfectly--sweet and lovely. "

With these last words he cast down his eyes and reddened like a girl. 

"You understand that, " he said, "better than I do; yes, and you alsothink her beautiful! Strange! you must not laugh if I confess--I ambut a man like every one else--when I confess, that I believe I have atlength discovered in myself the missing organ for beauty of form--notbelieve merely, but truly have discovered it, for it has not onlyspoken, but cried, raged, till I felt a rushing in my ears, and for thefirst time was attracted more by the sufferer than by suffering. I havesat in the hut as though spell-bound, and gazed at her hair, at hereyes, at how she breathed. They must long since have missed me at theHouse of Seti, perhaps discovered all my preparations, when seeking mein my room! For two days and nights I have allowed myself to be drawnaway from my work, for the sake of this child. Were I one of the laity, whom you would approach, I should say that demons had bewitched me. But it is not that, "--and with these words the physician's eyes flamedup--"it is not that! The animal in me, the low instincts of which theheart is the organ, and which swelled my breast at her bedside, theyhave mastered the pure and fine emotions here--here in this brain; andin the very moment when I hoped to know as the God knows whom you callthe Prince of knowledge, in that moment I must learn that the animal inme is stronger than that which I call my God. "

The physician, agitated and excited, had fixed his eyes on the groundduring these last words, and hardly noticed the poet, who listened tohim wondering and full of sympathy. For a time both were silent; thenPentaur laid his hand on his friend's hand, and said cordially:

"My soul is no stranger to what you feel, and heart and head, if I mayuse your own words, have known a like emotion. But I know that what wefeel, although it may be foreign to our usual sensations, is loftierand more precious than these, not lower. Not the animal, Nebsecht, isit that you feel in yourself, but God. Goodness is the most beautifulattribute of the divine, and you have always been well-disposedtowards great and small; but I ask you, have you ever before felt soirresistibly impelled to pour out an ocean of goodness on another being, whether for Uarda you would not more joyfully and more self-forgetfullysacrifice all that you have, and all that you are, than to father andmother and your oldest friend?"

Nebsecht nodded assentingly. 

"Well then, " cried Pentaur, "follow your new and godlike emotion, begood to Uarda and do not sacrifice her to your vain wishes. My poorfriend! With your--enquiries into the secrets of life, you have neverlooked round upon itself, which spreads open and inviting before oureyes. Do you imagine that the maiden who can thus inflame the calmestthinker in Thebes, will not be coveted by a hundred of the common herdwhen her protector fails her? Need I tell you that amongst the dancersin the foreign quarter nine out of ten are the daughters of outlawedparents? Can you endure the thought that by your hand innocence may beconsigned to vice, the rose trodden under foot in the mud? Is the humanheart that you desire, worth an Uarda? Now go, and to-morrow come againto me your friend who understands how to sympathize with all you feel, and to whom you have approached so much the nearer to-day that you havelearned to share his purest happiness. "

Pentaur held out his hand to the physician, who held it some time, thenwent thoughtfully and lingeringly, unmindful of the burning glow ofthe mid-day sun, over the mountain into the valley of the king's gravestowards the hut of the paraschites. 

Here he found the soldier with his daughter. "Where is the old man?" heasked anxiously. 

"He has gone to his work in the house of the embalmer, " was the answer. "If anything should happen to him he bade me tell you not to forget thewriting and the book. He was as though out of his mind when he left us, and put the ram's heart in his bag and took it with him. Do you remainwith the little one; my mother is at work, and I must go with theprisoners of war to Harmontis. "

CHAPTER XVIII. 

While the two friends from the House of Seti were engaged inconversation, Katuti restlessly paced the large open hall of herson-in-law's house, in which we have already seen her. A snow-white catfollowed her steps, now playing with the hem of her long plain dress, and now turning to a large stand on which the dwarf Nemu sat in a heap;where formerly a silver statue had stood, which a few months previouslyhad been sold. 

He liked this place, for it put him in a position to look into the eyesof his mistress and other frill-grown people. "If you have betrayed me!If you have deceived me!" said Katuti with a threatening gesture as shepassed his perch. 

"Put me on a hook to angle for a crocodile if I have. But I am curiousto know how he will offer you the money. "

"You swore to me, " interrupted his mistress with feverish agitation, "that you had not used my name in asking Paaker to save us?"

"A thousand times I swear it, " said the little man. 

"Shall I repeat all our conversation? I tell thee he will sacrifice hisland, and his house-great gate and all, for one friendly glance fromNefert's eyes. "

"If only Mena loved her as he does!" sighed the widow, and then againshe walked up and down the hall in silence, while the dwarf looked outat the garden entrance. Suddenly she paused in front of Nemu, and saidso hoarsely that Nemu shuddered:

"I wish she were a widow. " "The little man made a gesture as if toprotect himself from the evil eye, but at the same instant he slippeddown from his pedestal, and exclaimed:

"There is a chariot, and I hear his big dog barking. It is he. Shall Icall Nefert?"

"No!" said Katuti in a low voice, and she clutched at the back of achair as if for support. 

The dwarf shrugged his shoulders, and slunk behind a clump of ornamentalplants, and a few minutes later Paaker stood in the presence of Katuti, who greeted him, with quiet dignity and self-possession. 

Not a feature of her finely-cut face betrayed her inward agitation, and after the Mohar had greeted her she said with rather patronizingfriendliness:

"I thought that you would come. Take a seat. Your heart is like yourfather's; now that you are friends with us again it is not by halves. "

Paaker had come to offer his aunt the sum which was necessary forthe redemption of her husband's mummy. He had doubted for a long timewhether he should not leave this to his mother, but reserve partlyand partly vanity had kept him from doing so. He liked to display hiswealth, and Katuti should learn what he could do, what a son-in-law shehad rejected. 

He would have preferred to send the gold, which he had resolved to giveaway, by the hand of one of his slaves, like a tributary prince. But that could not be done so he put on his finger a ring set with avaluable stone, which king Seti I. , had given to his father, and addedvarious clasps and bracelets to his dress. 

When, before leaving the house, he looked at himself in a mirror, hesaid to himself with some satisfaction, that he, as he stood, was worthas much as the whole of Mena's estates. 

Since his conversation with Nemu, and the dwarf's interpretation ofhis dream, the path which he must tread to reach his aim had been plainbefore him. Nefert's mother must be won with the gold which would saveher from disgrace, and Mena must be sent to the other world. He reliedchiefly on his own reckless obstinacy--which he liked to call firmdetermination--Nemu's cunning, and the love-philter. 

He now approached Katuti with the certainty of success, like a merchantwho means to acquire some costly object, and feels that he is richenough to pay for it. But his aunt's proud and dignified mannerconfounded him. 

He had pictured her quite otherwise, spirit-broken, and suppliant;and he had expected, and hoped to earn, Nefert's thanks as well as hermother's by his generosity. Mena's pretty wife was however absent, andKatuti did not send for her even after he had enquired after her health. 

The widow made no advances, and some time passed in indifferentconversation, till Paaker abruptly informed her that he had heard of herson's reckless conduct, and had decided, as being his mother's nearestrelation, to preserve her from the degradation that threatened her. Forthe sake of his bluntness, which she took for honesty, Katuti forgavethe magnificence of his dress, which under the circumstances certainlyseemed ill-chosen; she thanked him with dignity, but warmly, more forthe sake of her children than for her own; for life she said was openingbefore them, while for her it was drawing to its close. 

"You are still at a good time of life, " said Paaker. 

"Perhaps at the best, " replied the widow, "at any rate from my point ofview; regarding life as I do as a charge, a heavy responsibility. "

"The administration of this involved estate must give you many, anxioushours--that I understand. " Katuti nodded, and then said sadly:

"I could bear it all, if I were not condemned to see my poor child beingbrought to misery without being able to help her or advise her. You oncewould willingly have married her, and I ask you, was there a maiden inThebes--nay in all Egypt--to compare with her for beauty? Was she notworthy to be loved, and is she not so still? Does she deserve that herhusband should leave her to starve, neglect her, and take a strangewoman into his tent as if he had repudiated her? I see what you feelabout it! You throw all the blame on me. Your heart says: 'Why did shebreak off our betrothal, ' and your right feeling tells you that youwould have given her a happier lot. "

With these words Katuti took her nephew's hand, and went on withincreasing warmth. 

"We know you to-day for the most magnanimous man in Thebes, for you haverequited injustice with an immense benefaction; but even as a boy youwere kind and noble. Your father's wish has always been dear andsacred to me, for during his lifetime he always behaved to us as anaffectionate brother, and I would sooner have sown the seeds of sorrowfor myself than for your mother, my beloved sister. I brought up mychild--I guarded her jealously--for the young hero who was absent, proving his valor in Syria--for you and for you only. Then your fatherdied, my sole stay and protector. "

"I know it all!" interrupted Paaker looking gloomily at the floor. 

"Who should have told you?" said the widow. "For your mother, when thathad happened which seemed incredible, forbid us her house, and shut herears. The king himself urged Mena's suit, for he loves him as his ownson, and when I represented your prior claim he commanded;--and who mayresist the commands of the sovereign of two worlds, the Son of Ra? Kingshave short memories; how often did your father hazard his life for him, how many wounds had he received in his service. For your father's sakehe might have spared you such an affront, and such pain. "

"And have I myself served him, or not?" asked the pioneer flushingdarkly. 

"He knows you less, " returned Katuti apologetically. Then she changedher tone to one of sympathy, and went on:

"How was it that you, young as you were, aroused his dissatisfaction, his dislike, nay his--"

"His what?" asked the pioneer, trembling with excitement. 

"Let that pass!" said the widow soothingly. "The favor and disfavor ofkings are as those of the Gods. Men rejoice in the one or bow to theother. "

"What feeling have I aroused in Rameses besides dissatisfaction, anddislike? I insist on knowing!" said Paaker with increasing vehemence. 

"You alarm me, " the widow declared. "And in speaking ill of you, hisonly motive was to raise his favorite in Nefert's estimation. "

"Tell me what he said!" cried the pioneer; cold drops stood on his brownforehead, and his glaring eyes showed the white eye-balls. 

Katuti quailed before him, and drew back, but he followed her, seizedher arm, and said huskily:

"What did he say?"

"Paaker!" cried the widow in pain and indignation. "Let me go. It isbetter for you that I should not repeat the words with which Ramesessought to turn Nefert's heart from you. Let me go, and remember to whomyou are speaking. "

But Paaker gripped her elbow the tighter, and urgently repeated hisquestion. 

"Shame upon you!" cried Katuti, "you are hurting me; let me go! You willnot till you have heard what he said? Have your own way then, but thewords are forced from me! He said that if he did not know your motherSetchem for an honest woman, he never would have believed you were yourfather's son--for you were no more like him than an owl to an eagle. "

Paaker took his hand from Katuti's arm. "And so--and so--" he mutteredwith pale lips. 

"Nefert took your part, and I too, but in vain. Do not take the wordstoo hardly. Your father was a man without an equal, and Rameses cannotforget that we are related to the old royal house. His grandfather, hisfather, and himself are usurpers, and there is one now living who has abetter right to the throne than he has. "

"The Regent Ani!" exclaimed Paaker decisively. Katuti nodded, she wentup to the pioneer and said in a whisper:

"I put myself in your hands, though I know they may be raised againstme. But you are my natural ally, for that same act of Rameses thatdisgraced and injured you, made me a partner in the designs of Ani. Theking robbed you of your bride, me of my daughter. He filled your soulwith hatred for your arrogant rival, and mine with passionate regret forthe lost happiness of my child. I feel the blood of Hatasu in my veins, and my spirit is high enough to govern men. It was I who roused thesleeping ambition of the Regent--I who directed his gaze to the throneto which he was destined by the Gods. The ministers of the Gods, thepriests, are favorably disposed to us; we have--"

At this moment there was a commotion in the garden, and a breathlessslave rushed in exclaiming "The Regent is at the gate!"

Paaker stood in stupid perplexity, but he collected himself with aneffort and would have gone, but Katuti detained him. 

"I will go forward to meet Ani, " she said. "He will be rejoiced to seeyou, for he esteems you highly and was a friend of your father's. "

As soon as Katuti had left the hall, the dwarf Nemu crept out of hishiding-place, placed himself in front of Paaker, and asked boldly:

"Well? Did I give thee good advice yesterday, or no?"

Put Paaker did not answer him, he pushed him aside with his foot, andwalked up and down in deep thought. 

Katuti met the Regent half way down the garden. He held a manuscriptroll in his hand, and greeted her from afar with a friendly wave of hishand. 

The widow looked at him with astonishment. 

It seemed to her that he had grown taller and younger since the lasttime she had seen him. 

"Hail to your highness!" she cried, half in joke half reverently, andshe raised her hands in supplication, as if he already wore the doublecrown of Upper and Lower Egypt. "Have the nine Gods met you? have theHathors kissed you in your slumbers? This is a white day--a lucky day--Iread it in your face!" "That is reading a cipher!" said Ani gaily, butwith dignity. "Read this despatch. "

Katuti took the roll from his hand, read it through, and then returnedit. 

"The troops you equipped have conquered the allied armies of theEthiopians, " she said gravely, "and are bringing their prince in fettersto Thebes, with endless treasure, and ten thousand prisoners! The Godsbe praised!"

"And above all things I thank the Gods that my general Scheschenk--myfoster-brother and friend--is returning well and unwounded from thewar. I think, Katuti, that the figures in our dreams are this day takingforms of flesh and blood!"

"They are growing to the stature of heroes!" cried the widow. "And youyourself, my lord, have been stirred by the breath of the Divinity. Youwalk like the worthy son of Ra, the Courage of Menth beams in your eyes, and you smile like the victorious Horus. "

"Patience, patience my friend, " said Ani, moderating the eagernessof the widow; "now, more than ever, we must cling to my principle ofover-estimating the strength of our opponents, and underrating our own. Nothing has succeeded on which I had counted, and on the contrary manythings have justified my fears that they would fail. The beginning ofthe end is hardly dawning on us. "

"But successes, like misfortunes, never come singly, " replied Katuti. 

"I agree with you, " said Ani. "The events of life seem to me to fall ingroups. Every misfortune brings its fellow with it--like every piece ofluck. Can you tell me of a second success?"

"Women win no battles, " said the widow smiling. "But they win allies, and I have gained a powerful one. "

"A God or an army?" asked Ani. 

"Something between the two, " she replied. "Paaker, the king's chiefpioneer, has joined us;" and she briefly related to Ani the history ofher nephew's love and hatred. 

Ani listened in silence; then he said with an expression of muchdisquiet and anxiety:

"This man is a follower of Rameses, and must shortly return to him. Manymay guess at our projects, but every additional person who knows themmay be come a traitor. You are urging me, forcing me, forward toosoon. A thousand well-prepared enemies are less dangerous than oneuntrustworthy ally--"

"Paaker is secured to us, " replied Katuti positively. "Who will answerfor him?" asked Ani. 

"His life shall be in your hand, " replied Katuti gravely. "My shrewdlittle dwarf Nemu knows that he has committed some secret crime, whichthe law punishes by death. "

The Regent's countenance cleared. 

"That alters the matter, " he said with satisfaction. "Has he committed amurder?"

"No, " said Katuti, "but Nemu has sworn to reveal to you alone all thathe knows. He is wholly devoted to us. "

"Well and good, " said Ani thoughtfully, "but he too is imprudent--muchtoo imprudent. You are like a rider, who to win a wager urges his horseto leap over spears. If he falls on the points, it is he that suffers;you let him lie there, and go on your way. "

"Or are impaled at the same time as the noble horse, " said Katutigravely. "You have more to win, and at the same time more to lose thanwe; but the meanest clings to life; and I must tell you, Ani, that Iwork for you, not to win any thing through your success, but because youare as dear to me as a brother, and because I see in you the embodimentof my father's claims which have been trampled on. "

Ani gave her his hand and asked:

"Did you also as my friend speak to Bent-Anat? Do I interpret yoursilence rightly?"

Katuti sadly shook her head; but Ani went on: "Yesterday that would havedecided me to give her up; but to-day my courage has risen, and if theHathors be my friends I may yet win her. "

With these words he went in advance of the widow into the hall, wherePaaker was still walking uneasily up and down. 

The pioneer bowed low before the Regent, who returned the greeting witha half-haughty, half-familiar wave of the hand, and when he had seatedhimself in an arm-chair politely addressed Paaker as the son of afriend, and a relation of his family. 

"All the world, " he said, "speaks of your reckless courage. Men like youare rare; I have none such attached to me. I wish you stood nearer tome; but Rameses will not part with you, although--although--In point offact your office has two aspects; it requires the daring of a soldier, and the dexterity of a scribe. No one denies that you have the first, but the second--the sword and the reed-pen are very different weapons, one requires supple fingers, the other a sturdy fist. The king used tocomplain of your reports--is he better satisfied with them now?"

"I hope so, " replied the Mohar; "my brother Horus is a practised writer, and accompanies me in my journeys. "

"That is well, " said Ani. "If I had the management of affairs I shouldtreble your staff, and give you four--five--six scribes under you, who should be entirely at your command, and to whom you could give thematerials for the reports to be sent out. Your office demands that youshould be both brave and circumspect; these characteristics are rarelyunited; but there are scriveners by hundreds in the temples. "

"So it seems to me, " said Paaker. 

Ani looked down meditatively, and continued--"Rameses is fond ofcomparing you with your father. That is unfair, for he--who is now withthe justified--was without an equal; at once the bravest of heroes andthe most skilful of scribes. You are judged unjustly; and it grieves meall the more that you belong, through your mother, to my poor but royalhouse. We will see whether I cannot succeed in putting you in the rightplace. For the present you are required in Syria almost as soon asyou have got home. You have shown that you are a man who does not feardeath, and who can render good service, and you might now enjoy yourwealth in peace with your wife. "

"I am alone, " said Paaker. 

"Then, if you come home again, let Katuti seek you out the prettiestwife in Egypt, " said the Regent smiling. "She sees herself every day inher mirror, and must be a connoisseur in the charms of women. "

Ani rose with these words, bowed to Paaker with studied friendliness, gave his hand to Katuti, and said as he left the hall:

"Send me to-day the--the handkerchief--by the dwarf Nemu. "

When he was already in the garden, he turned once more and said toPaaker

"Some friends are supping with me to-day; pray let me see you too. "

The pioneer bowed; he dimly perceived that he was entangled in invisibletoils. Up to the present moment he had been proud of his devotion tohis calling, of his duties as Mohar; and now he had discovered that theking, whose chain of honor hung round his neck, undervalued him, andperhaps only suffered him to fill his arduous and dangerous post for thesake of his father, while he, notwithstanding the temptationsoffered him in Thebes by his wealth, had accepted it willingly anddisinterestedly. He knew that his skill with the pen was small, but thatwas no reason why he should be despised; often had he wished that hecould reconstitute his office exactly as Ani had suggested, but hispetition to be allowed a secretary had been rejected by Rameses. Whathe spied out, he was told was to be kept secret, and no one could beresponsible for the secrecy of another. 

As his brother Horus grew up, he had followed him as his obedientassistant, even after he had married a wife, who, with her child, remained in Thebes under the care of Setchem. 

He was now filling Paaker's place in Syria during his absence; badlyenough, as the pioneer thought, and yet not without credit; for thefellow knew how to write smooth words with a graceful pen. 

Paaker, accustomed to solitude, became absorbed in thought, forgettingeverything that surrounded him; even the widow herself, who had sunk onto a couch, and was observing him in silence. 

He gazed into vacancy, while a crowd of sensations rushed confusedlythrough his brain. He thought himself cruelly ill-used, and he felt toothat it was incumbent on him to become the instrument of a terrible fateto some other person. All was dim 'and chaotic in his mind, his lovemerged in his hatred; only one thing was clear and unclouded by doubt, and that was his strong conviction that Nefert would be his. 

The Gods indeed were in deep disgrace with him. How much he had expendedupon them--and with what a grudging hand they had rewarded him; he knewof but one indemnification for his wasted life, and in that he believedso firmly that he counted on it as if it were capital which he hadinvested in sound securities. But at this moment his resentful feelingsembittered the sweet dream of hope, and he strove in vain for calmnessand clear-sightedness; when such cross-roads as these met, no amulet, nodivining rod could guide him; here he must think for himself, and beathis own road before he could walk in it; and yet he could think out noplan, and arrive at no decision. 

He grasped his burning forehead in his hands, and started from hisbrooding reverie, to remember where he was, to recall his conversationwith the mother of the woman he loved, and her saying that she wascapable of guiding men. 

"She perhaps may be able to think for me, " he muttered to himself. "Action suits me better. "

He slowly went up to her and said:

"So it is settled then--we are confederates. "

"Against Rameses, and for Ani, " she replied, giving him her slenderhand. 

"In a few days I start for Syria, meanwhile you can make up your mindwhat commissions you have to give me. The money for your son shallbe conveyed to you to-day before sunset. May I not pay my respects toNefert?"

"Not now, she is praying in the temple. "

"But to-morrow?"

"Willingly, my dear friend. She will be delighted to see you, and tothank you. "

"Farewell, Katuti. "

"Call me mother, " said the widow, and she waved her veil to him as alast farewell. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

As soon as Paaker had disappeared behind the shrubs, Katuti struck alittle sheet of metal, a slave appeared, and Katuti asked her whetherNefert had returned from the temple. 

"Her litter is just now at the side gate, " was the answer. 

"I await her here, " said the widow. The slave went away, and a fewminutes later Nefert entered the hall. 

"You want me?" she said; and after kissing her mother she sank upon hercouch. "I am tired, " she exclaimed, "Nemu, take a fan and keep the fliesoff me. "

The dwarf sat down on a cushion by her couch, and began to wave thesemi-circular fan of ostrich-feathers; but Katuti put him aside andsaid:

"You can leave us for the present; we want to speak to each other inprivate. "

The dwarf shrugged his shoulders and got up, but Nefert looked at hermother with an irresistible appeal. 

"Let him stay, " she said, as pathetically as if her whole happinessdepended upon it. "The flies torment me so, and Nemu always holds histongue. "

She patted the dwarf's big head as if he were a lap-dog, and calledthe white cat, which with a graceful leap sprang on to her shoulder andstood there with its back arched, to be stroked by her slender fingers. 

Nemu looked enquiringly at his mistress, but Katuti turned to herdaughter, and said in a warning voice:

"I have very serious things to discuss with you. "

"Indeed?" said her daughter, "but I cannot be stung by the flies all thesame. Of course, if you wish it--"

"Nemu may stay then, " said Katuti, and her voice had the tone of that ofa nurse who gives way to a naughty child. "Besides, he knows what I haveto talk about. "

"There now!" said Nefert, kissing the head of the white cat, and shegave the fan back to the dwarf. 

The widow looked at her daughter with sincere compassion, she went up toher and looked for the thousandth time in admiration at her pretty face. 

"Poor child, " she sighed, "how willingly I would spare you the frightfulnews which sooner or later you must hear--must bear. Leave off yourfoolish play with the cat, I have things of the most hideous gravity totell you. "

"Speak on, " replied Nefert. "To-day I cannot fear the worst. Mena'sstar, the haruspex told me, stands under the sign of happiness, and Ienquired of the oracle in the temple of Besa, and heard that my husbandis prospering. I have prayed in the temple till I am quite content. Onlyspeak!--I know my brother's letter from the camp had no good news in it;the evening before last I saw you had been crying, and yesterday you didnot look well; even the pomegranate flowers in your hair did not suityou. "

"Your brother, " sighed Katuti, "has occasioned me great trouble, and wemight through him have suffered deep dishonor--"

"We-dishonor?" exclaimed Nefert, and she nervously clutched at the cat. 

"Your brother lost enormous sums at play; to recover them he pledged themummy of your father--"

"Horrible!" cried Nefert. "We must appeal at once to the king;--I willwrite to him myself; for Mena's sake he will hear me. Rameses is greatand noble, and will not let a house that is faithfully devoted to himfall into disgrace through the reckless folly of a boy. Certainly I willwrite to him. "

She said this in a voice of most childlike confidence, and desired Nemuto wave the fan more gently, as if this concern were settled. 

In Katuti's heart surprise and indignation at the unnatural indifferenceof her daughter were struggling together; but she withheld all blame, and said carelessly:

"We are already released, for my nephew Paaker, as soon as he heard whatthreatened us, offered me his help; freely and unprompted, from puregoodness of heart and attachment. "

"How good of Paaker!" cried Nefert. "He was so fond of me, and you know, mother, I always stood up for him. No doubt it was for my sake that hebehaved so generously!"

The young wife laughed, and pulling the cat's face close to her own, held her nose to its cool little nose, stared into its green eyes, andsaid, imitating childish talk:

"There now, pussy--how kind people are to your little mistress. "

Katuti was vexed daughter's childish impulses. 

"It seems to me, " she said, "that you might leave off playing andtrifling when I am talking of such serious matters. I have long sinceobserved that the fate of the house to which your father and motherbelong is a matter of perfect indifference to you; and yet you wouldhave to seek shelter and protection under its roof if your husband--"

"Well, mother?" asked Nefert breathing more quickly. 

As soon as Katuti perceived her daughter's agitation she regretted thatshe had not more gently led up to the news she had to break to her; forshe loved her daughter, and knew that it would give her keen pain. 

So she went on more sympathetically:

"You boasted in joke that people are good to you, and it is true; youwin hearts by your mere being--by only being what you are. And Mena tooloved you tenderly; but 'absence, ' says the proverb, 'is the one realenemy, ' and Mena--"

"What has Mena done?" Once more Nefert interrupted her mother, and hernostrils quivered. 

"Mena, " said Katuti, decidedly, "has violated the truth and esteem whichhe owes you--he has trodden them under foot, and--"

"Mena?" exclaimed the young wife with flashing eyes; she flung the caton the floor, and sprang from her couch. 

"Yes--Mena, " said Katuti firmly. "Your brother writes that he would haveneither silver nor gold for his spoil, but took the fair daughter of theprince of the Danaids into his tent. The ignoble wretch!"

"Ignoble wretch!" cried Nefert, and two or three times she repeated hermother's last words. Katuti drew back in horror, for her gentle, docile, childlike daughter stood before her absolutely transfigured beyond allrecognition. 

She looked like a beautiful demon of revenge; her eyes sparkled, herbreath came quickly, her limbs quivered, and with extraordinary strengthand rapidity she seized the dwarf by the hand, led him to the door ofone of the rooms which opened out of the hall, threw it open, pushed thelittle man over the threshold, and closed it sharply upon him; then withwhite lips she came up to her mother. 

"An ignoble wretch did you call him?" she cried out with a hoarse huskyvoice, "an ignoble wretch! Take back your words, mother, take back yourwords, or--"

Katuti turned paler and paler, and said soothingly:

"The words may sound hard, but he has broken faith with you, and openlydishonored you. "

"And shall I believe it?" said Nefert with a scornful laugh. "ShallI believe it, because a scoundrel has written it, who has pawned hisfather's body and the honor of big family; because it is told you bythat noble and brave gentleman! why a box on the ears from Mena wouldbe the death of him. Look at me, mother, here are my eyes, and ifthat table there were Mena's tent, and you were Mena, and you took thefairest woman living by the hand and led her into it, and these eyes sawit--aye, over and over again--I would laugh at it--as I laugh at it now;and I should say, 'Who knows what he may have to give her, or to say toher, ' and not for one instant would I doubt his truth; for your son isfalse and Mena is true. Osiris broke faith with Isis--but Mena may befavored by a hundred women--he will take none to his tent but me!"

"Keep your belief, " said Katuti bitterly, "but leave me mine. "

"Yours?" said Nefert, and her flushed cheeks turned pale again. "What doyou believe? You listen to the worst and basest things that can be saidof a man who has overloaded you with benefits! A wretch, bah! an ignoblewretch? Is that what you call a man who lets you dispose of his estateas you please!"

"Nefert, " cried Katuti angrily, "I will--"

"Do what you will, " interrupted her indignant daughter, "but do notvilify the generous man who has never hindered you from throwing awayhis property on your son's debts and your own ambition. Since theday before yesterday I have learned that we are not rich; and I havereflected, and I have asked myself what has become of our corn and ourcattle, of our sheep and the rents from the farmers. The wretch's estatewas not so contemptible; but I tell you plainly I should be unworthy tobe the wife of the noble Mena if I allowed any one to vilify his nameunder his own roof. Hold to your belief, by all means, but one of usmust quit this house--you or I. "

At these words Nefert broke into passionate sobs, threw herself on herknees by her couch, hid her face in the cushions, and wept convulsivelyand without intermission. 

Katuti stood behind her, startled, trembling, and not knowing what tosay. Was this her gentle, dreamy daughter? Had ever a daughter dared tospeak thus to her mother? But was she right or was Nefert? This questionwas the pressing one; she knelt down by the side of the young wife, put her arm round her, drew her head against her bosom, and whisperedpitifully:

"You cruel, hard-hearted child; forgive your poor, miserable mother, anddo not make the measure of her wretchedness overflow. "

Then Nefert rose, kissed her mother's hand, and went silently into herown room. 

Katuti remained alone; she felt as if a dead hand held her heart in itsicy grasp, and she muttered to herself:

"Ani is right--nothing turns to good excepting that from which we expectthe worst. "

She held her hand to her head, as if she had heard something too strangeto be believed. Her heart went after her daughter, but instead ofsympathizing with her she collected all her courage, and deliberatelyrecalled all the reproaches that Nefert had heaped upon her. She did notspare herself a single word, and finally she murmured to herself: "Shecan spoil every thing. For Mena's sake she will sacrifice me and thewhole world; Mena and Rameses are one, and if she discovers what we areplotting she will betray us without a moment's hesitation. Hithertoall has gone on without her seeing it, but to-day something has beenunsealed in her--an eye, a tongue, an ear, which have hitherto beenclosed. She is like a deaf and dumb person, who by a sudden fright isrestored to speech and hearing. My favorite child will become the spy ofmy actions, and my judge. "

She gave no utterance to the last words, but she seemed to hear themwith her inmost ear; the voice that could speak to her thus, startledand frightened her, and solitude was in itself a torture; she calledthe dwarf, and desired him to have her litter prepared, as she intendedgoing to the temple, and visiting the wounded who had been sent homefrom Syria. 

"And the handkerchief for the Regent?" asked the little man. 

"It was a pretext, " said Katuti. "He wishes to speak to you about thematter which you know of with regard to Paaker. What is it?"

"Do not ask, " replied Nemu, "I ought not to betray it. By Besa, whoprotects us dwarfs, it is better that thou shouldst never know it. "

"For to-day I have learned enough that is new to me, " retorted Katuti. "Now go to Ani, and if you are able to throw Paaker entirely intohis power--good--I will give--but what have I to give away? I will begrateful to you; and when we have gained our end I will set you free andmake you rich. "

Nemu kissed her robe, and said in a low voice: "What is the end?"

"You know what Ani is striving for, " answered the widow. "And I have butone wish!"

"And that is?"

"To see Paaker in Mena's place. "

"Then our wishes are the same, " said the dwarf and he left the Hall. 

Katuti looked after him and muttered:

"It must be so. For if every thing remains as it was and Mena comes homeand demands a reckoning--it is not to be thought of! It must not be!"

CHAPTER XX. 

As Nemu, on his way back from his visit to Ani, approached hismistress's house, he was detained by a boy, who desired him to followhim to the stranger's quarter. Seeing him hesitate, the messenger showedhim the ring of his mother Hekt, who had come into the town on business, and wanted to speak with him. 

Nemu was tired, for he was not accustomed to walking; his ass was dead, and Katuti could not afford to give him another. Half of Mena's beastshad been sold, and the remainder barely sufficed for the field-labor. 

At the corners of the busiest streets, and on the market-places, stoodboys with asses which they hired out for a small sum;

 [In the streets of modern Egyptian towns asses stand saddled for hire. On the monuments only foreigners are represented as riding on asses, but these beasts are mentioned in almost every list of the possessions of the nobles, even in very early times, and the number is often considerable. There is a picture extant of a rich old man who rides on a seat supported on the backs of two donkeys. Lepsius, Denkmaler, part ii. 126. ]

but Nemu had parted with his last money for a garment and a new wig, sothat he might appear worthily attired before the Regent. In former timeshis pocket had never been empty, for Mena had thrown him many a ring ofsilver, or even of gold, but his restless and ambitious spirit wasted noregrets on lost luxuries. He remembered those years of superfluity withcontempt, and as he puffed and panted on his way through the dust, hefelt himself swell with satisfaction. 

The Regent had admitted him to a private interview, and the little manhad soon succeeded in riveting his attention; Ani had laughed till thetears rolled down his cheeks at Nemu's description of Paaker's wildpassion, and he had proved himself in earnest over the dwarf's furthercommunications, and had met his demands half-way. Nemu felt like a duckhatched on dry land, and put for the first time into water; like a birdhatched in a cage, and that for the first time is allowed to spread itswings and fly. He would have swum or have flown willingly to death ifcircumstances had not set a limit to his zeal and energy. 

Bathed in sweat and coated with dust, he at last reached the gay tentin the stranger's quarter, where the sorceress Hekt was accustomed toalight when she came over to Thebes. 

He was considering far-reaching projects, dreaming of possibilities, devising subtle plans--rejecting them as too subtle, and supplyingtheir place with others more feasible and less dangerous; altogetherthe little diplomatist had no mind for the motley tribes which heresurrounded him. He had passed the temple in which the people of Kaftadored their goddess Astarte, and the sanctuary of Seth, where theysacrificed to Baal, without letting himself be disturbed by the dancingdevotees or the noise of cymbals and music which issued from theirenclosures. The tents and slightly-built wooden houses of the dancinggirls did not tempt him. Besides their inhabitants, who in the eveningtricked themselves out in tinsel finery to lure the youth of Thebes intoextravagance and folly, and spent their days in sleeping till sun-down, only the gambling booths drove a brisk business; and the guard of policehad much trouble to restrain the soldier, who had staked and lost allhis prize money, or the sailor, who thought himself cheated, from suchoutbreaks of rage and despair as must end in bloodshed. Drunken menlay in front of the taverns, and others were doing their utmost, byrepeatedly draining their beakers, to follow their example. 

Nothing was yet to be seen of the various musicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, serpent-charmers, and conjurers, who in the eveningdisplayed their skill in this part of the town, which at all times hadthe aspect of a never ceasing fair. But these delights, which Nemu hadpassed a thousand times, had never had any temptation for him. Women andgambling were not to his taste; that which could be had simply for thetaking, without trouble or exertion, offered no charms to his fancy, he had no fear of the ridicule of the dancing-women, and theirassociates--indeed, he occasionally sought them, for he enjoyed a warof words, and he was of opinion that no one in Thebes could beat him athaving the last word. Other people, indeed, shared this opinion, and notlong before Paaker's steward had said of Nemu:

"Our tongues are cudgels, but the little one's is a dagger. "

The destination of the dwarf was a very large and gaudy tent, not in anyway distinguished from a dozen others in its neighborhood. The openingwhich led into it was wide, but at present closed by a hanging of coarsestuff. 

Nemu squeezed himself in between the edge of the tent and the yieldingdoor, and found himself in an almost circular tent with many angles, andwith its cone-shaped roof supported on a pole by way of a pillar. 

Pieces of shabby carpet lay on the dusty soil that was the floor of thetent, and on these squatted some gaily-clad girls, whom an old woman wasbusily engaged in dressing. She painted the finger and toenails ofthe fair ones with orange-colored Hennah, blackened their brows andeye-lashes with Mestem--[Antimony. ]--to give brilliancy to their glance, painted their cheeks with white and red, and anointed their hair withscented oil. 

It was very hot in the tent, and not one of the girls spoke a word; theysat perfectly still before the old woman, and did not stir a finger, excepting now and then to take up one of the porous clay pitchers, whichstood on the ground, for a draught of water, or to put a pill of Kyphibetween their painted lips. 

Various musical instruments leaned against the walls of the tent, hand-drums, pipes and lutes and four tambourines lay on the ground; onthe vellum of one slept a cat, whose graceful kittens played with thebells in the hoop of another. 

An old negro-woman went in and out of the little back-door of the tent, pursued by flies and gnats, while she cleared away a variety of earthendishes with the remains of food--pomegranate-peelings, breadcrumbs, andgarlic-tops--which had been lying on one of the carpets for some hourssince the girls had finished their dinner. 

Old Hekt sat apart from the girls on a painted trunk, and she wassaying, as she took a parcel from her wallet:

"Here, take this incense, and burn six seeds of it, and the vermin willall disappear--" she pointed to the flies that swarmed round the platterin her hand. "If you like I will drive away the mice too and draw thesnakes out of their holes better than the priests. "

 [Recipes for exterminating noxious creatures are found in the papyrus in my possession. ]

"Keep your magic to yourself, " said a girl in a husky voice. "Sinceyou muttered your words over me, and gave me that drink to make me growslight and lissom again, I have been shaken to pieces with a cough atnight, and turn faint when I am dancing. "

"But look how slender you have grown, " answered Hekt, "and your coughwill soon be well. "

"When I am dead, " whispered the girl to the old woman. "I know that mostof us end so. "

The witch shrugged her shoulders, and perceiving the dwarf she rose fromher seat. 

The girls too noticed the little man, and set up the indescribable cry, something like the cackle of hens, which is peculiar to Eastern womenwhen something tickles their fancy. Nemu was well known to them, for hismother always stayed in their tent whenever she came to Thebes, and thegayest of them cried out:

"You are grown, little man, since the last time you were here. "

"So are you, " said the dwarf sharply; "but only as far as big words areconcerned. "

"And you are as wicked as you are small, " retorted the girl. 

"Then my wickedness is small too, " said the dwarf laughing, "for I amlittle enough! Good morning, girls--may Besa help your beauty. Good day, mother--you sent for me?"

The old woman nodded; the dwarf perched himself on the chest beside her, and they began to whisper together. 

"How dusty and tired you are, " said Hekt. I do believe you have come onfoot in the burning sun. "

"My ass is dead, " replied Nemu, "and I have no money to hire a steed. "

"A foretaste of future splendor, " said the old woman with a sneer. "Whathave you succeeded in doing?"

"Paaker has saved us, " replied Nemu, "and I have just come from a longinterview with the Regent. "

"Well?"

"He will renew your letter of freedom, if you will put Paaker into hispower. "

"Good-good. I wish he would make up his mind to come and seek me--indisguise, of course--I would--"

"He is very timid, and it would not suggest to him anything sounpracticable. "

"Hm--" said Hekt, "perhaps you are right, for when we have to demand agood deal it is best only to ask for what is feasible. One rash requestoften altogether spoils the patron's inclination for granting favors. "

"What else has occurred?"

"The Regent's army has conquered the Ethiopians, and is coming home withrich spoils. "

"People may be bought with treasure, " muttered the old woman, "Igood--good!"

"Paaker's sword is sharpened; I would give no more for my master's life, than I have in my pocket--and you know why I came on foot through thedust. "

"Well, you can ride home again, " replied his mother, giving the littleman a small silver ring. "Has the pioneer seen Nefert again?"

"Strange things have happened, " said the dwarf, and he told hismother what had taken place between Katuti and Nefert. Nemu was a goodlistener, and had not forgotten a word of what he had heard. 

The old woman listened to his story with the most eager attention. 

"Well, well, " she muttered, "here is another extraordinary thing. Whatis common to all men is generally disgustingly similar in the palaceand in the hovel. Mothers are everywhere she-apes, who with pleasure letthemselves be tormented to death by their children, who repay them badlyenough, and the wives generally open their ears wide if any one can tellthem of some misbehavior of their husbands! But that is not the way withyour mistress. "

The old woman looked thoughtful, and then she continued:

"In point of fact this can be easily explained, and is not at all moreextraordinary than it is that those tired girls should sit yawning. Youtold me once that it was a pretty sight to see the mother and daughterside by side in their chariot when they go to a festival or thePanegyrai; Katuti, you said, took care that the colors of their dressesand the flowers in their hair should harmonize. For which of them is thedress first chosen on such occasions?"

"Always for the lady Katuti, who never wears any but certain colors, "replied Nemu quickly. 

"You see, " said the witch laughing, "Indeed it must be so. That motheralways thinks of herself first, and of the objects she wishes to gain;but they hang high, and she treads down everything that is in herway--even her own child--to reach them. She will contrive that Paakershall be the ruin of Mena, as sure as I have ears to hear with, forthat woman is capable of playing any tricks with her daughter, and wouldmarry her to that lame dog yonder if it would advance her ambitiousschemes. "

"But Nefert!" said Nemu. "You should have seen her. The dove became alioness. "

"Because she loves Mena as much as her mother loves herself, " answeredHekt. "As the poets say, 'she is full of him. ' It is really true of her, there is no room for any thing else. She cares for one only, and woe tothose who come between him and her!"

"I have seen other women in love, " said Nemu, "but--"

"But, " exclaimed the old witch with such a sharp laugh that the girlsall looked up, "they behaved differently to Nefert--I believe you, forthere is not one in a thousand that loves as she does. It is a sicknessthat gives raging pain--like a poisoned arrow in an open wound, anddevours all that is near it like a fire-brand, and is harder to curethan the disease which is killing that coughing wench. To be possessedby that demon of anguish is to suffer the torture of the damned--orelse, " and her voice sank to softness, "to be more blest than the Gods, happy as they are. I know--I know it all; for I was once one of thepossessed, one of a thousand, and even now--"

"Well?" asked the dwarf. 

"Folly!" muttered the witch, stretching herself as if awaking fromsleep. "Madness! He--is long since dead, and if he were not it would beall the same to me. All men are alike, and Mena will be like the rest. "

"But Paaker surely is governed by the demon you describe?" asked thedwarf. 

"May be, " replied his mother; "but he is self-willed to madness. Hewould simply give his life for the thing because it is denied him. Ifyour mistress Nefert were his, perhaps he might be easier; but what isthe use of chattering? I must go over to the gold tent, where everyonegoes now who has any money in their purse, to speak to the mistress--"

"What do you want with her?" interrupted Nemu. "Little Uarda overthere, " said the old woman, "will soon be quite well again. You haveseen her lately; is she not grown beautiful, wonderfully beautiful? NowI shall see what the good woman will offer me if I take Uarda to her?the girl is as light-footed as a gazelle, and with good training wouldlearn to dance in a very few weeks. "

Nemu turned perfectly white. 

"That you shall not do, " said he positively. 

"And why not?" asked the old woman, "if it pays well. "

"Because I forbid it, " said the dwarf in a choked voice. 

"Bless me, " laughed the woman; "you want to play my lady Nefert, andexpect me to take the part of her mother Katuti. But, seriously, havingseen the child again, have you any fancy for her?"

"Yes, " replied Nemu. "If we gain our end, Katuti will make me free, andmake me rich. Then I will buy Pinem's grandchild, and take her formy wife. I will build a house near the hall of justice, and give thecomplainants and defendants private advice, like the hunch-back Sent, who now drives through the streets in his own chariot. "

"Hm--" said his mother, "that might have done very well, but perhaps itis too late. When the child had fever she talked about the young priestwho was sent from the House of Seti by Ameni. He is a fine tallfellow, and took a great interest in her; he is a gardener's son, namedPentaur. "

"Pentaur?" said the dwarf. "Pentaur? He has the haughty air and theexpression of the old Mohar, and would be sure to rise; but they aregoing to break his proud neck for him. "

"So much the better, " said the old woman. "Uarda would be just the wifefor you, she is good and steady, and no one knows--"

"What?" said Nemu. 

"Who her mother was--for she was not one of us. She came here fromforeign parts, and when she died she left a trinket with strange letterson it. We must show it to one of the prisoners of war, after you havegot her safe; perhaps they could make out the queer inscription. Shecomes of a good stock, that I am certain; for Uarda is the very livingimage of her mother, and as soon as she was born, she looked like thechild of a great man. You smile, you idiot! Why thousands of infantshave been in my hands, and if one was brought to me wrapped in rags Icould tell if its parents were noble or base-born. The shape of the footshows it--and other marks. Uarda may stay where she is, and I will helpyou. If anything new occurs let me know. "

CHAPTER XXI. 

When Nemu, riding on an ass this time, reached home, he found neitherhis mistress nor Nefert within. 

The former was gone, first to the temple, and then into the town;Nefert, obeying an irresistible impulse, had gone to her royal friendBent-Anat. 

The king's palace was more like a little town than a house. The wing inwhich the Regent resided, and which we have already visited, lay awayfrom the river; while the part of the building which was used by theroyal family commanded the Nile. 

It offered a splendid, and at the same time a pleasing prospect to theships which sailed by at its foot, for it stood, not a huge and solitarymass in the midst of the surrounding gardens, but in picturesque groupsof various outline. On each side of a large structure, which containedthe state rooms and banqueting hall, three rows of pavilions ofdifferent sizes extended in symmetrical order. They were connectedwith each other by colonnades, or by little bridges, under which flowedcanals, that watered the gardens and gave the palace-grounds the aspectof a town built on islands. 

The principal part of the castle of the Pharaohs was constructed oflight Nile-mud bricks and elegantly carved woodwork, but the extensivewalls which surrounded it were ornamented and fortified with towers, infront of which heavily armed soldiers stood on guard. 

The walls and pillars, the galleries and colonnades, even the roofs, blazed in many colored paints, and at every gate stood tall masts, fromwhich red and blue flags fluttered when the king was residing there. Now they stood up with only their brass spikes, which were intendedto intercept and conduct the lightning. --[ According to an inscriptionfirst interpreted by Dumichen. ]

To the right of the principal building, and entirely surrounded withthick plantations of trees, stood the houses of the royal ladies, some mirrored in the lake which they surrounded at a greater or lessdistance. In this part of the grounds were the king's storehouses inendless rows, while behind the centre building, in which the Pharaohresided, stood the barracks for his body guard and the treasuries. Theleft wing was occupied by the officers of the household, the innumerableservants and the horses and chariots of the sovereign. 

In spite of the absence of the king himself, brisk activity reigned inthe palace of Rameses, for a hundred gardeners watered the turf, theflower-borders, the shrubs and trees; companies of guards passed hitherand thither; horses were being trained and broken; and the princess'swing was as full as a beehive of servants and maids, officers andpriests. 

Nefert was well known in this part of the palace. The gate-keepers lether litter pass unchallenged, with low bows; once in the garden, a lordin waiting received her, and conducted her to the chamberlain, who, after a short delay, introduced her into the sitting-room of the king'sfavorite daughter. 

Bent-Anat's apartment was on the first floor of the pavilion, nextto the king's residence. Her dead mother had inhabited these pleasantrooms, and when the princess was grown up it made the king happy to feelthat she was near him; so the beautiful house of the wife who had tooearly departed, was given up to her, and at the same time, as shewas his eldest daughter, many privileges were conceded to her, whichhitherto none but queens had enjoyed. 

The large room, in which Nefert found the princess, commanded the river. A doorway, closed with light curtains, opened on to a long balcony witha finely-worked balustrade of copper-gilt, to which clung a climbingrose with pink flowers. 

When Nefert entered the room, Bent-Anat was just having the rustlingcurtain drawn aside by her waiting-women; for the sun was setting, andat that hour she loved to sit on the balcony, as it grew cooler, and watch with devout meditation the departure of Ra, who, as thegrey-haired Turn, vanished behind the western horizon of the Necropolisin the evening to bestow the blessing of light on the under-world. 

Nefert's apartment was far more elegantly appointed than the princess's;her mother and Mena had surrounded her with a thousand pretty trifles. Her carpets were made of sky-blue and silver brocade from Damascus, theseats and couches were covered with stuff embroidered in feathers by theEthiopian women, which looked like the breasts of birds. The images ofthe Goddess Hathor, which stood on the house-altar, were of an imitationof emerald, which was called Mafkat, and the other little figures, whichwere placed near their patroness, were of lapis-lazuli, malachite, agateand bronze, overlaid with gold. On her toilet-table stood a collectionof salve-boxes, and cups of ebony and ivory finely carved, andeverything was arranged with the utmost taste, and exactly suited Nefertherself. 

Bent-Anat's room also suited the owner. 

It was high and airy, and its furniture consisted in costly but simplenecessaries; the lower part of the wall was lined with cool tiles ofwhite and violet earthen ware, on each of which was pictured a star, andwhich, all together, formed a tasteful pattern. Above these the wallswere covered with a beautiful dark green material brought from Sais, andthe same stuff was used to cover the long divans by the wall. Chairs andstools, made of cane, stood round a very large table in the middleof this room, out of which several others opened; all handsome, comfortable, and harmonious in aspect, but all betraying that theirmistress took small pleasure in trifling decorations. But her chiefdelight was in finely-grown plants, of which rare and magnificentspecimens, artistically arranged on stands, stood in the corners of manyof the rooms. In others there were tall obelisks of ebony, which boresaucers for incense, which all the Egyptians loved, and which wasprescribed by their physicians to purify and perfume their dwellings. Her simple bedroom would have suited a prince who loved floriculture, quite as well as a princess. 

Before all things Bent-Anat loved air and light. The curtains ofher windows and doors were only closed when the position of the sunabsolutely required it; while in Nefert's rooms, from morning tillevening, a dim twilight was maintained. 

The princess went affectionately towards the charioteer's wife, whobowed low before her at the threshold; she took her chin with her righthand, kissed her delicate narrow forehead, and said:

"Sweet creature! At last you have come uninvited to see lonely me! It isthe first time since our men went away to the war. If Rameses' daughtercommands there is no escape; and you come; but of your own free will--"

Nefert raised her large eyes, moist with tears, with an imploring look, and her glance was so pathetic that Bent-Anat interrupted herself, andtaking both her hands, exclaimed:

"Do you know who must have eyes exactly like yours? I mean the Goddessfrom whose tears, when they fall on the earth, flowers spring. "

Nefert's eyes fell and she blushed deeply. 

"I wish, " she murmured, "that my eyes might close for ever, for I amvery unhappy. " And two large tears rolled down her cheeks. 

"What has happened to you, my darling?" asked the princesssympathetically, and she drew her towards her, putting her arm round herlike a sick child. 

Nefert glanced anxiously at the chamberlain, and the ladies in waitingwho had entered the room with her, and Bent-Anat understood the look;she requested her attendants to withdraw, and when she was alone withher sad little friend--"Speak now, " she said. "What saddens your heart?how comes this melancholy expression on your dear baby face? Tell me, and I will comfort you, and you shall be my bright thoughtless playthingonce more. "

"Thy plaything!" answered Nefert, and a flash of displeasure sparkled inher eyes. "Thou art right to call me so, for I deserve no better name. Ihave submitted all my life to be nothing but the plaything of others. "

"But, Nefert, I do not know you again, " cried Bent-Anat. "Is this mygentle amiable dreamer?"

"That is the word I wanted, " said Nefert in a low tone. "I slept, anddreamed, and dreamed on--till Mena awoke me; and when he left me I wentto sleep again, and for two whole years I have lain dreaming; but to-dayI have been torn from my dreams so suddenly and roughly, that I shallnever find any rest again. "

While she spoke, heavy tears fell slowly one after another over hercheeks. 

Bent-Anat felt what she saw and heard as deeply as if Nefert were herown suffering child. She lovingly drew the young wife down by herside on the divan, and insisted on Nefert's letting her know all thattroubled her spirit. 

Katuti's daughter had in the last few hours felt like one born blind, and who suddenly receives his sight. He looks at the brightness of thesun, and the manifold forms of the creation around him, but the beams ofthe day-star blind its eyes, and the new forms, which he has sought toguess at in his mind, and which throng round him in their rude reality, shock him and pain him. To-day, for the first time, she had askedherself wherefore her mother, and not she herself, was called upon tocontrol the house of which she nevertheless was called the mistress, andthe answer had rung in her ears: "Because Mena thinks you incapable ofthought and action. " He had often called her his little rose, and shefelt now that she was neither more nor less than a flower that blossomsand fades, and only charms the eye by its color and beauty. 

"My mother, " she said to Bent-Anat, "no doubt loves me, but she hasmanaged badly for Mena, very badly; and I, miserable idiot, slept anddreamed of Mena, and saw and heard nothing of what was happening tohis--to our--inheritance. Now my mother is afraid of my husband, andthose whom we fear, says my uncle, we cannot love, and we are alwaysready to believe evil of those we do not love. So she lends an ear tothose people who blame Mena, and say of him that he has driven me outof his heart, and has taken a strange woman to his tent. But it is falseand a lie; and I cannot and will not countenance my own mother even, ifshe embitters and mars what is left to me--what supports me--the breathand blood of my life--my love, my fervent love for my husband. "

Bent-Anat had listened to her without interrupting her; she sat by herfor a time in silence. Then she said:

"Come out into the gallery; then I will tell you what I think, andperhaps Toth may pour some helpful counsel into my mind. I love you, and I know you well, and though I am not wise, I have my eyes open and astrong hand. Take it, come with me on to the balcony. "

A refreshing breeze met the two women as they stepped out into the air. It was evening, and a reviving coolness had succeeded the heat of theday. The buildings and houses already cast long shadows, and numberlessboats, with the visitors returning from the Necropolis, crowded thestream that rolled its swollen flood majestically northwards. 

Close below lay the verdant garden, which sent odors from the rose-bedsup to the princess's balcony. A famous artist had laid it out in thetime of Hatasu, and the picture which he had in his mind, when he sowedthe seeds and planted the young shoots, was now realized, many decadesafter his death. He had thought of planning a carpet, on which thepalace should seem to stand. Tiny streams, in bends and curves, formedthe outline of the design, and the shapes they enclosed were filled withplants of every size, form, and color; beautiful plats of freshgreen turf everywhere represented the groundwork of the pattern, andflower-beds and clumps of shrubs stood out from them in harmoniousmixtures of colors, while the tall and rare trees, of which Hatasu'sships had brought several from Arabia, gave dignity and impressivenessto the whole. 

Clear drops sparkled on leaf and flower and blade, for, only a shorttime before, the garden by Bent-Anat's house had been freshly watered. The Nile beyond surrounded an island, where flourished the well-keptsacred grove of Anion. 

The Necropolis on the farther side of the river was also well seenfrom Bent-Anat's balcony. There stood in long perspective the rows ofsphinxes, which led from the landing-place of the festal barges to thegigantic buildings of Amenophis III. With its colossi--the hugest inThebes--to the House of Seti, and to the temple of Hatasu. There laythe long workshops of the embalmers and closely-packed homes of theinhabitants of the City of the Dead. In the farthest west rose theLibyan mountains with their innumerable graves, and the valley of thekings' tombs took a wide curve behind, concealed by a spur of the hills. 

The two women looked in silence towards the west. The sun was near thehorizon--now it touched it, now it sank behind the hills; and as theheavens flushed with hues like living gold, blazing rubies, and liquidgarnet and amethyst, the evening chant rang out from all the temples, and the friends sank on their knees, hid their faces in the bower-rosegarlands that clung to the trellis, and prayed with full hearts. 

When they rose night was spreading over the landscape, for the twilightis short in Thebes. Here and there a rosy cloud fluttered across thedarkening sky, and faded gradually as the evening star appeared. 

"I am content, " said Bent-Anat. "And you? have you recovered your peaceof mind?"

Nefert shook her head. The princess drew her on to a seat, and sank downbeside her. Then she began again "Your heart is sore, poor child; theyhave spoilt the past for you, and you dread the future. Let me be frankwith you, even if it gives you pain. You are sick, and I must cure you. Will you listen to me?"

"Speak on, " said Nefert. 

"Speech does not suit me so well as action, " replied the princess; "butI believe I know what you need, and can help you. You love your husband;duty calls him from you, and you feel lonely and neglected; that isquite natural. But those whom I love, my father and my brothers, arealso gone to the war; my mother is long since dead; the noble woman, whom the king left to be my companion, was laid low a few weeks sinceby sickness. Look what a half-abandoned spot my house is! Which is thelonelier do you think, you or I?"

"I, " said Nefert. "For no one is so lonely as a wife parted from thehusband her heart longs after. "

"But you trust Mena's love for you?" asked Bent-Anat. 

Nefert pressed her hand to her heart and nodded assent:

"And he will return, and with him your happiness. "

"I hope so, " said Nefert softly. 

"And he who hopes, " said Bent Anat, "possesses already the joys of thefuture. Tell me, would you have changed places with the Gods so longas Mena was with you? No! Then you are most fortunate, for blissfulmemories--the joys of the past--are yours at any rate. What is thepresent? I speak of it, and it is no more. Now, I ask you, what joys canI look forward to, and what certain happiness am I justified in hopingfor?

"Thou dost not love any one, " replied Nefert. "Thou dost follow thy owncourse, calm and undeviating as the moon above us. The highest joysare unknown to thee, but for the same reason thou dost not know thebitterest pain. "

"What pain?" asked the princess. 

"The torment of a heart consumed by the fires of Sechet, " repliedNefert. 

The princess looked thoughtfully at the ground, then she turned her eyeseagerly on her friend. 

"You are mistaken, " she said; "I know what love and longing are. Butyou need only wait till a feast day to wear the jewel that is your own, while my treasure is no more mine than a pearl that I see gleaming atthe bottom of the sea. "

"Thou canst love!" exclaimed Nefert with joyful excitement. "Oh! I thankHathor that at last she has touched thy heart. The daughter of Ramesesneed not even send for the diver to fetch the jewel out of the sea; at asign from her the pearl will rise of itself, and lie on the sand at herslender feet. "

Bent-Anat smiled and kissed Nefert's brow. 

"How it excites you, " she said, "and stirs your heart and tongue! If twostrings are tuned in harmony, and one is struck, the other sounds, mymusic master tells me. I believe you would listen to me till morning ifI only talked to you about my love. But it was not for that that wecame out on the balcony. Now listen! I am as lonely as you, I love lesshappily than you, the House of Seti threatens me with evil times--andyet I can preserve my full confidence in life and my joy in existence. How can you explain this?"

"We are so very different, " said Nefert. 

"True, " replied Bent-Anat, "but we are both young, both women, and bothwish to do right. My mother died, and I have had no one to guide me, forI who for the most part need some one to lead me can already command, and be obeyed. You had a mother to bring you up, who, when you werestill a child, was proud of her pretty little daughter, and let her--asit became her so well-dream and play, without warning her against thedangerous propensity. Then Mena courted you. You love him truly, andin four long years he has been with you but a month or two; your motherremained with you, and you hardly observed that she was managing yourown house for you, and took all the trouble of the household. You hada great pastime of your own--your thoughts of Mena, and scope for athousand dreams in your distant love. I know it, Nefert; all that youhave seen and heard and felt in these twenty months has centred in himand him alone. Nor is it wrong in itself. The rose tree here, whichclings to my balcony, delights us both; but if the gardener did notfrequently prune it and tie it with palm-bast, in this soil, whichforces everything to rapid growth, it would soon shoot up so high thatit would cover door and window, and I should sit in darkness. Throw thishandkerchief over your shoulders, for the dew falls as it grows cooler, and listen to me a little longer!--The beautiful passion of love andfidelity has grown unchecked in your dreamy nature to such a height, that it darkens your spirit and your judgment. Love, a true love, itseems to me, should be a noble fruit-tree, and not a rank weed. I do notblame you, for she who should have been the gardener did not heed--andwould not heed--what was happening. Look, Nefert, so long as I wore thelock of youth, I too did what I fancied--I never found any pleasure indreaming, but in wild games with my brothers, in horses and in falconry;they often said I had the spirit of a boy, and indeed I would willinglyhave been a boy. "

"Not I--never!" said Nefert. 

"You are just a rose--my dearest, " said Bent-Anat. "Well! when I wasfifteen I was so discontented, so insubordinate and full of all sortsof wild behavior, so dissatisfied in spite of all the kindness and lovethat surrounded me--but I will tell you what happened. It is four yearsago, shortly before your wedding with Mena; my father called me to playdraughts. 

 [At Medinet Habu a picture represents Rameses the Third, not Rameses the Second, playing at draughts with his daughter. ]

You know how certainly he could beat the most skilful antagonist;but that day his thoughts were wandering, and I won the game twicefollowing. Full of insolent delight, I jumped up and kissed his greathandsome forehead, and cried 'The sublime God, the hero, under whosefeet the strange nations writhe, to whom the priests and the peoplepray--is beaten by a girl!' He smiled gently, and answered 'The Lords ofHeaven are often outdone by the Ladies, and Necheb, the lady of victory, is a woman. Then he grew graver, and said: 'You call me a God, my child, but in this only do I feel truly godlike, that at every moment I striveto the utmost to prove myself useful by my labors; here restraining, there promoting, as is needful. Godlike I can never be but by doing orproducing something great! These words, Nefert, fell like seeds in mysoul. At last I knew what it was that was wanting to me; and when, a fewweeks later, my father and your husband took the field with a hundredthousand fighting men, I resolved to be worthy of my godlike father, andin my little circle to be of use too! You do not know all that is donein the houses behind there, under my direction. Three hundred girlsspin pure flax, and weave it into bands of linen for the wounds ofthe soldiers; numbers of children, and old women, gather plants onthe mountains, and others sort them according to the instructions ofa physician; in the kitchens no banquets are prepared, but fruits arepreserved in sugar for the loved ones, and the sick in the camp. Jointsof meat are salted, dried, and smoked for the army on its march throughthe desert. The butler no longer thinks of drinking-bouts, but bringsme wine in great stone jars; we pour it into well-closed skins for thesoldiers, and the best sorts we put into strong flasks, carefully sealedwith pitch, that they may perform the journey uninjured, and warm andrejoice the hearts of our heroes. All that, and much more, I manageand arrange, and my days pass in hard work. The Gods send me no brightvisions in the night, for after utter fatigue--I sleep soundly. ButI know that I am of use. I can hold my head proudly, because in somedegree I resemble my great father; and if the king thinks of me at allI know he can rejoice in the doings of his child. That is the end of it, Nefert--and I only say, Come and join me, work with me, prove yourselfof use, and compel Mena to think of his wife, not with affection only, but with pride. " Nefert let her head sink slowly on Bent-Anat's bosom, threw her arms round her neck, and wept like a child. At last shecomposed herself and said humbly:

"Take me to school, and teach me to be useful. " "I knew, " said theprincess smiling, "that you only needed a guiding hand. Believe me, youwill soon learn to couple content and longing. But now hear this! Atpresent go home to your mother, for it is late; and meet her lovingly, for that is the will of the Gods. To-morrow morning I will go to seeyou, and beg Katuti to let you come to me as companion in the placeof my lost friend. The day after to-morrow you will come to me in thepalace. You can live in the rooms of my departed friend and begin, asshe had done, to help me in my work. May these hours be blest to you!"

CHAPTER XXII. 

At the time of this conversation the leech Nebsecht still lingeredin front of the hovel of the paraschites, and waited with growingimpatience for the old man's return. 

At first he trembled for him; then he entirely forgot the danger intowhich he had thrown him, and only hoped for the fulfilment of hisdesires, and for wonderful revelations through his investigations of thehuman heart. 

For some minutes he gave himself up to scientific considerations; but hebecame more and more agitated by anxiety for the paraschites, and by theexciting vicinity of Uarda. 

For hours he had been alone with her, for her father and grandmothercould no longer stop away from their occupations. The former must goto escort prisoners of war to Hermonthis, and the old woman, since hergranddaughter had been old enough to undertake the small duties ofthe household, had been one of the wailing-women, who, with hair alldishevelled, accompanied the corpse on its way to the grave, weeping, and lamenting, and casting Nile-mud on their forehead and breast. Uardastill lay, when the sun was sinking, in front of the hut. 

She looked weary and pale. Her long hair had come undone, and once moregot entangled with the straw of her humble couch. If Nebsecht went nearher to feel her pulse or to speak to her she carefully turned her facefrom him. 

Nevertheless when the sun disappeared behind the rocks he bent over heronce more, and said:

"It is growing cool; shall I carry you indoors?"

"Let me alone, " she said crossly. "I am hot, keep farther away. I am nolonger ill, and could go indoors by myself if I wished; but grandmotherwill be here directly. "

Nebsecht rose, and sat down on a hen-coop that was some paces fromUarda, and asked stammering, "Shall I go farther off?"

"Do as you please, " she answered. "You are not kind, " he said sadly. 

"You sit looking at me, " said Uarda, "I cannot bear it; and I amuneasy--for grandfather was quite different this morning from his usualself, and talked strangely about dying, and about the great price thatwas asked of him for curing me. Then he begged me never to forget him, and was so excited and so strange. He is so long away; I wish he werehere, with me. "

And with these words Uarda began to cry silently. A nameless anxiety forthe paraschites seized Nebsecht, and it struck him to the heart that hehad demanded a human life in return for the mere fulfilment of aduty. He knew the law well enough, and knew that the old man would becompelled without respite or delay to empty the cup of poison if he werefound guilty of the theft of a human heart. 

It was dark: Uarda ceased weeping and said to the surgeon:

"Can it be possible that he has gone into the city to borrow the greatsum of money that thou--or thy temple--demanded for thy medicine? Butthere is the princess's golden bracelet, and half of father's prize, andin the chest two years' wages that grandmother had earned by wailing heuntouched. Is all that not enough?"

The girl's last question was full of resentment and reproach, andNebsecht, whose perfect sincerity was part of his very being, wassilent, as he would not venture to say yes. He had asked more in returnfor his help than gold or silver. Now he remembered Pentaur's warning, and when the jackals began to bark he took up the fire-stick, [The hieroglyphic sign Sam seems to me to represent the wooden stick used to produce fire (as among some savage tribes) by rapid friction in a hollow piece of wood. ]

and lighted some fuel that was lying ready. Then he asked himself whatUarda's fate would be without her grandparents, and a strange planwhich had floated vaguely before him for some hours, began now to take adistinct outline and intelligible form. He determined if the old mandid not return to ask the kolchytes or embalmers to admit him into theirguild--and for the sake of his adroitness they were not likely to refusehim--then he would make Uarda his wife, and live apart from the world, for her, for his studies, and for his new calling, in which he hoped tolearn a great deal. What did he care for comfort and proprieties, forrecognition from his fellow-men, and a superior position!

He could hope to advance more quickly along the new stony path than onthe old beaten track. The impulse to communicate his acquired knowledgeto others he did not feel. Knowledge in itself amply satisfied him, andhe thought no more of his ties to the House of Seti. For three wholedays he had not changed his garments, no razor had touched his chin orhis scalp, not a drop of water had wetted his hands or his feet. He felthalf bewildered and almost as if he had already become an embalmer, nay even a paraschites, one of the most despised of human beings. Thisself-degradation had an infinite charm, for it brought him down to thelevel of Uarda, and she, lying near him, sick and anxious, with herdishevelled hair, exactly suited the future which he painted to himself. 

"Do you hear nothing?" Uarda asked suddenly. He listened. In the valleythere was a barking of dogs, and soon the paraschites and his wifeappeared, and, at the door of their hut, took leave of old Hekt, who hadmet them on her return from Thebes. 

"You have been gone a long time, " cried Uarda, when her grandmother oncemore stood before her. "I have been so frightened. "

"The doctor was with you, " said the old woman going into the houseto prepare their simple meal, while the paraschites knelt down by hisgranddaughter, and caressed her tenderly, but yet with respect, as if hewere her faithful servant rather than her blood-relation. 

Then he rose, and gave to Nebsecht, who was trembling with excitement, the bag of coarse linen which he was in the habit of carrying tied tohim by a narrow belt. 

"The heart is in that, " he whispered to the leech; "take it out, andgive me back the bag, for my knife is in it, and I want it. "

Nebsecht took the heart out of the covering with trembling hands andlaid it carefully down. Then he felt in the breast of his dress, andgoing up to the paraschites he whispered:

"Here, take the writing, hang it round your neck, and when you die Iwill have the book of scripture wrapped up in your mummy cloths like agreat man. But that is not enough. The property that I inherited is inthe hands of my brother, who is a good man of business, and I have nottouched the interest for ten years. I will send it to you, and you andyour wife shall enjoy an old age free from care. "

The paraschites had taken the little bag with the strip of papyrus, andheard the leech to the end. Then he turned from him saying: "Keep thymoney; we are quits. That is if the child gets well, " he added humbly. 

"She is already half cured, " stammered Nebsecht. "But why will you--whywon't you accept--"

"Because till to day I have never begged nor borrowed, " said theparaschites, "and I will not begin in my old age. Life for life. Butwhat I have done this day not Rameses with all his treasure couldrepay. "

Nebsecht looked down, and knew not how to answer the old man. 

His wife now came out; she set a bowl of lentils that she had hastilywarmed before the two men, with radishes and onions, [Radishes, onions, and garlic were the hors-d'oeuvre of an Egyptian dinner. 1600 talents worth were consumed, according to Herodotus. During the building of the pyramid of Cheops--L360, 000 (in 1881. )]

then she helped Uarda, who did not need to be carried, into the house, and invited Nebsecht to share their meal. He accepted her invitation, for he had eaten nothing since the previous evening. 

When the old woman had once more disappeared indoors, he asked theparaschites:

"Whose heart is it that you have brought me, and how did it come intoyour hands?"

"Tell me first, " said the other, "why thou hast laid such a heavy sinupon my soul?"

"Because I want to investigate the structure of the human heart, " saidNebsecht, "so that, when I meet with diseased hearts, I may be able tocure them. "

The paraschites looked for a long time at the ground in silence; then hesaid:

"Art thou speaking the truth?"

"Yes, " replied the leech with convincing emphasis. "I am glad, " said theold man, "for thou givest help to the poor. "

"As willingly as to the rich!" exclaimed Nebsecht. "But tell me nowwhere you got the heart. "

"I went into the house of the embalmer, " said the old man, after he hadselected a few large flints, to which, with crafty blows, he gave theshape of knives, "and there I found three bodies in which I had to makethe eight prescribed incisions with my flint-knife. When the dead liethere undressed on the wooden bench they all look alike, and the beggerlies as still as the favorite son of a king. But I knew very well wholay before me. The strong old body in the middle of the table was thecorpse of the Superior of the temple of Hatasu, and beyond, close byeach other, were laid a stone-mason of the Necropolis, and a poor girlfrom the strangers' quarter, who had died of consumption--two miserablewasted figures. I had known the Prophet well, for I had met him ahundred times in his gilt litter, and we always called him Rui, therich. I did my duty by all three, I was driven away with the usualstoning, and then I arranged the inward parts of the bodies with mymates. Those of the Prophet are to be preserved later in an alabastercanopus, [This vase was called canopus at a later date. There were four of them for each mummy. ]

those of the mason and the girl were put back in their bodies. 

"Then I went up to the three bodies, and I asked myself, to which Ishould do such a wrong as to rob him of his heart. I turned to the twopoor ones, and I hastily went up to the sinning girl. Then I heard thevoice of the demon that cried out in my heart 'The girl was poor anddespised like you while she walked on Seb, [Seb is the earth; Plutarch calls Seb Chronos. He is often spoken of as the "father of the gods" on the monuments. He is the god of time, and as the Egyptians regarded matter as eternal, it is not by accident that the sign which represented the earth was also used for eternity. ]

perhaps she may find compensation and peace in the other world if youdo not mutilate her; and when I turned to the mason's lean corpse, andlooked at his hands, which were harder and rougher than my own, thedemon whispered the same. Then I stood before the strong, stout corpseof the prophet Rui, who died of apoplexy, and I remembered the honor andthe riches that he had enjoyed on earth, and that he at least for a timehad known happiness and ease. And as soon as I was alone, I slipped myhand into the bag, and changed the sheep's heart for his. 

"Perhaps I am doubly guilty for playing such an accursed trick with theheart of a high-priest; but Rui's body will be hung round with a hundredamulets, Scarabaei

 [Imitations of the sacred beetle Scarabaeus made of various materials were frequently put into the mummies in the place of the heart. Large specimens have often the 26th, 30th, and 64th chapters of the Book of the Dead engraved on them, as they treat of the heart. ]

will be placed over his heart, and holy oil and sacred sentenceswill preserve him from all the fiends on his road toAmenti, --[Underworld]--while no one will devote helping talismans to thepoor. And then! thou hast sworn, in that world, in the hall of judgment, to take my guilt on thyself. "

Nebsecht gave the old man his hand. 

"That I will, " said he, "and I should have chosen as you did. Now takethis draught, divide it in four parts, and give it to Uarda for fourevenings following. Begin this evening, and by the day after to-morrow Ithink she will be quite well. I will come again and look after her. Nowgo to rest, and let me stay a while out here; before the star of Isis isextinguished I will be gone, for they have long been expecting me at thetemple. "

When the paraschites came out of his but the next morning, Nebsecht hadvanished; but a blood-stained cloth that lay by the remains of the fireshowed the old man that the impatient investigator had examined theheart of the high-priest during the night, and perhaps cut it up. 

Terror fell upon him, and in agony of mind he threw himself on his kneesas the golden bark of the Sun-God appeared on the horizon, and he prayedfervently, first for Uarda, and then for the salvation of his imperilledsoul. 

He rose encouraged, convinced himself that his granddaughter wasprogressing towards recovery, bid farewell to his wife, took his flintknife and his bronze hook, [The brains of corpses were drawn out of the nose with a hook. Herodotus II. 87. ]

and went to the house of the embalmer to follow his dismal calling. 

The group of buildings in which the greater number of the corpsesfrom Thebes went through the processes of mummifying, lay on the baredesert-land at some distance from his hovel, southwards from the Houseof Seti at the foot of the mountain. They occupied by themselves afairly large space, enclosed by a rough wall of dried mud-bricks. 

The bodies were brought in through the great gate towards the Nile, anddelivered to the kolchytes, --[The whole guild of embalmers]--while thepriests, paraschites, and tariclleutes, --[Salter of the bodies]--bearersand assistants, who here did their daily work, as well as innumerablewater-carriers who came up from the Nile, loaded with skins, found theirway into the establishment by a side gate. 

At the farthest northern building of wood, with a separate gate, inwhich the orders of the bereaved were taken, and often indeed thoseof men still in active life, who thought to provide betimes for theirsuitable interment. 

The crowd in this house was considerable. About fifty men and women weremoving in it at the present moment, all of different ranks, and notonly from Thebes but from many smaller towns of Upper Egypt, to makepurchases or to give commissions to the functionaries who were busyhere. 

This bazaar of the dead was well supplied, for coffins of every formstood up against the walls, from the simplest chest to the richly giltand painted coffer, in form resembling a mummy. On wooden shelveslay endless rolls of coarse and fine linen, in which the limbs of themummies were enveloped, and which were manufactured by the people of theembalming establishment under the protection of the tutelar goddessesof weavers, Neith, Isis and Nephthys, though some were ordered from adistance, particularly from Sais. 

There was free choice for the visitors of this pattern-room in thematter of mummy-cases and cloths, as well as of necklets, scarabaei, statuettes, Uza-eyes, girdles, head-rests, triangles, split-rings, staves, and other symbolic objects, which were attached to the dead assacred amulets, or bound up in the wrappings. 

There were innumerable stamps of baked clay, which were buried in theearth to show any one who might dispute the limits, how far each graveextended, images of the gods, which were laid in the sand to purify andsanctify it--for by nature it belonged to Seth-Typhon--as well as thefigures called Schebti, which were either enclosed several together inlittle boxes, or laid separately in the grave; it was supposed that theywould help the dead to till the fields of the blessed with the pick-axe, plough, and seed-bag which they carried on their shoulders. 

The widow and the steward of the wealthy Superior of the temple ofHatasu, and with them a priest of high rank, were in eager discussionwith the officials of the embalming-House, and were selecting themost costly of the patterns of mummy-cases which were offered totheir inspection, the finest linen, and amulets of malachite, andlapis-lazuli, of blood-stone, carnelian and green felspar, as well asthe most elegant alabaster canopi for the deceased; his body was to beenclosed first in a sort of case of papier-mache, and then in a woodenand a stone coffin. They wrote his name on a wax tablet which was readyfor the purpose, with those of his parents, his wife and children, and all his titles; they ordered what verses should be written on hiscoffin, what on the papyrus-rolls to be enclosed in it, and what shouldbe set out above his name. With regard to the inscription on the wallsof the tomb, the pedestal of the statue to be placed there and the faceof the stele--[Stone tablet with round pediment. ]--to be erected in it, yet further particulars would be given; a priest of the temple ofSeti was charged to write them, and to draw up a catalogue of the richofferings of the survivors. The last could be done later, when, afterthe division of the property, the amount of the fortune he had leftcould be ascertained. The mere mummifying of the body with the finestoils and essences, cloths, amulets, and cases, would cost a talent ofsilver, without the stone sarcophagus. 

The widow wore a long mourning robe, her forehead was lightly daubedwith Nile-mud, and in the midst of her chaffering with the functionariesof the embalming-house, whose prices she complained of as enormous andrapacious, from time to time she broke out into a loud wail of grief--asthe occasion demanded. 

More modest citizens finished their commissions sooner, though it wasnot unusual for the income of a whole year to be sacrificed for theembalming of the head of a household--the father or the mother of afamily. The mummifying of the poor was cheap, and that of the pooresthad to be provided by the kolchytes as a tribute to the king, to whomalso they were obliged to pay a tax in linen from their looms. 

This place of business was carefully separated from the rest of theestablishment, which none but those who were engaged in the processescarried on there were on any account permitted to enter. The kolchytesformed a closely-limited guild at the head of which stood a certainnumber of priests, and from among them the masters of the manythousand members were chosen. This guild was highly respected, even thetaricheutes, who were entrusted with the actual work of embalming, couldventure to mix with the other citizens, although in Thebes itself peoplealways avoided them with a certain horror; only the paraschites, whoseduty it was to open the body, bore the whole curse of uncleanness. Certainly the place where these people fulfilled their office was dismalenough. 

The stone chamber in which the bodies were opened, and the halls inwhich they were prepared with salt, had adjoining them a variety oflaboratories and depositaries for drugs and preparations of everydescription. 

In a court-yard, protected from the rays of the sun only by an awning, was a large walled bason, containing a solution of natron, in whichthe bodies were salted, and they were then dried in a stone vault, artificially supplied with hot air. 

The little wooden houses of the weavers, as well as the work-shopsof the case-joiners and decorators, stood in numbers round thepattern-room; but the farthest off, and much the largest of thebuildings of the establishment, was a very long low structure, solidlybuilt of stone and well roofed in, where the prepared bodies wereenveloped in their cerements, tricked out in amulets, and made ready fortheir journey to the next world. What took place in this building--intowhich the laity were admitted, but never for more than a fewminutes--was to the last degree mysterious, for here the gods themselvesappeared to be engaged with the mortal bodies. 

Out of the windows which opened on the street, recitations, hymns, andlamentations sounded night and day. The priests who fulfilled theiroffice here wore masks like the divinities of the under-world. Many werethe representatives of Anubis, with the jackal-head, assisted by boyswith masks of the so-called child-Horus. At the head of each mummy stoodor squatted a wailing-woman with the emblems of Nephthys, and one at itsfeet with those of Isis. 

Every separate limb of the deceased was dedicated to a particulardivinity by the aid of holy oils, charms, and sentences; a speciallyprepared cloth was wrapped round each muscle, every drug and everybandage owed its origin to some divinity, and the confusion of sounds, of disguised figures, and of various perfumes, had a stupefying effecton those who visited this chamber. It need not be said that the wholeembalming establishment and its neighborhood was enveloped in a cloudof powerful resinous fumes, of sweet attar, of lasting musk, and pungentspices. 

When the wind blew from the west it was wafted across the Nile toThebes, and this was regarded as an evil omen, for from the south-westcomes the wind that enfeebles the energy of men--the fatal simoon. 

In the court of the pattern-house stood several groups of citizensfrom Thebes, gathered round different individuals, to whom they wereexpressing their sympathy. A new-comer, the superintendent of thevictims of the temple of Anion, who seemed to be known to many and wasgreeted with respect, announced, even before he went to condole withRui's widow, in a tone full of horror at what had happened, that anomen, significant of the greatest misfortune, had occurred in Thebes, ina spot no less sacred than the very temple of Anion himself. 

Many inquisitive listeners stood round him while he related that theRegent Ani, in his joy at the victory of his troops in Ethiopia, haddistributed wine with a lavish hand to the garrison of Thebes, and alsoto the watchmen of the temple of Anion, and that, while the people werecarousing, wolves

 [Wolves have now disappeared from Egypt; they were sacred animals, and were worshipped and buried at Lykopolis, the present Siut, where mummies of wolves have been found. Herodotus says that if a wolf was found dead he was buried, and Aelian states that the herb Lykoktonon, which was poisonous to wolves, might on no account be brought into the city, where they were held sacred. The wolf numbered among the sacral animals is the canis lupaster, which exists in Egypt at the present day. Besides this species there are three varieties of wild dogs, the jackal, fox, and fenek, canis cerda. ]

had broken into the stable of the sacred rams. Some were killed, but thenoblest ram, which Rameses himself had sent as a gift from Mendes whenhe set out for the war--the magnificent beast which Amon had chosen asthe tenement of his spirit, was found, torn in pieces, by the soldiers, who immediately terrified the whole city with the news. At the same hournews had come from Memphis that the sacred bull Apis was dead. 

All the people who had collected round the priest, broke out into afar-sounding cry of woe, in which he himself and Rui's widow vehementlyjoined. 

The buyers and functionaries rushed out of the pattern-room, and fromthe mummy-house the taricheutes, paraschites and assistants; theweavers left their looms, and all, as soon as they had learned what hadhappened, took part in the lamentations, howling and wailing, tearingtheir hair and covering their faces with dust. 

The noise was loud and distracting, and when its violence diminished, and the work-people went back to their business, the east wind broughtthe echo of the cries of the dwellers in the Necropolis, perhaps too, those of the citizens of Thebes itself. 

"Bad news, " said the inspector of the victims, "cannot fail to reachus soon from the king and the army; he will regret the death of the ramwhich we called by his name more than that of Apis. It is a bad--a verybad omen. "

"My lost husband Rui, who rests in Osiris, foresaw it all, " said thewidow. "If only I dared to speak I could tell a good deal that manymight find unpleasant. "

The inspector of sacrifices smiled, for he knew that the late superiorof the temple of Hatasu had been an adherent of the old royal family, and he replied:

"The Sun of Rameses may be for a time covered with clouds, but neitherthose who fear it nor those who desire it will live to see its setting. "

The priest coldly saluted the lady, and went into the house of a weaverin which he had business, and the widow got into her litter which waswaiting at the gate. 

The old paraschites Pinem had joined with his fellows in the lamentationfor the sacred beasts, and was now sitting on the hard pavement of thedissecting room to eat his morsel of food--for it was noon. 

The stone room in which he was eating his meal was badly lighted; thedaylight came through a small opening in the roof, over which the sunstood perpendicularly, and a shaft of bright rays, in which danced thewhirling motes, shot down through the twilight on to the stone pavement. Mummy-cases leaned against all the walls, and on smooth polished slabslay bodies covered with coarse cloths. A rat scudded now and thenacross the floor, and from the wide cracks between the stones sluggishscorpions crawled out. 

The old paraschites was long since blunted to the horror which pervadedthis locality. He had spread a coarse napkin, and carefully laid on itthe provisions which his wife had put into his satchel; first half acake of bread, then a little salt, and finally a radish. 

But the bag was not yet empty. 

He put his hand in and found a piece of meat wrapped up in twocabbage-leaves. Old Hekt had brought a leg of a gazelle from Thebesfor Uarda, and he now saw that the women had put a piece of it into hislittle sack for his refreshment. He looked at the gift with emotion, buthe did not venture to touch it, for he felt as if in doing so he shouldbe robbing the sick girl. While eating the bread and the radish hecontemplated the piece of meat as if it were some costly jewel, and whena fly dared to settle on it he drove it off indignantly. 

At last he tasted the meat, and thought of many former noon-day meals, and how he had often found a flower in the satchel, that Uarda hadplaced there to please him, with the bread. His kind old eyes filledwith tears, and his whole heart swelled with gratitude and love. Helooked up, and his glance fell on the table, and he asked himself how hewould have felt if instead of the old priest, robbed of his heart, thesunshine of his old age, his granddaughter, were lying there motionless. A cold shiver ran over him, and he felt that his own heart would nothave been too great a price to pay for her recovery. And yet! In thecourse of his long life he had experienced so much suffering and wrong, that he could not imagine any hope of a better lot in the other world. Then he drew out the bond Nebsecht had given him, held it up with bothhands, as if to show it to the Immortals, and particularly to the judgesin the hall of truth and judgment, that they might not reckon with himfor the crime he had committed--not for himself but for another--andthat they might not refuse to justify Rui, whom he had robbed of hisheart. 

While he thus lifted his soul in devotion, matters were getting warmoutside the dissecting room. He thought he heard his name spoken, andscarcely had he raised his head to listen when a taricheut came in anddesired him to follow him. 

In front of the rooms, filled with resinous odors and incense, in whichthe actual process of embalming was carried on, a number of taricheuteswere standing and looking at an object in an alabaster bowl. The kneesof the old man knocked together as he recognized the heart of the beastwhich he had substituted for that of the Prophet. 

The chief of the taricheutes asked him whether he had opened the body ofthe dead priest. 

Pinem stammered out "Yes. " Whether this was his heart? The old mannodded affirmatively. 

The taricheutes looked at each other, whispered together; then one ofthem went away, and returned soon with the inspector of victims from thetemple of Anion, whom he had found in the house of the weaver, and thechief of the kolchytes. 

"Show me the heart, " said the superintendent of the sacrifices as heapproached the vase. "I can decide in the dark if you have seen rightly. I examine a hundred animals every day. Give it here!--By all the Gods ofHeaven and Hell that is the heart of a ram!"

"It was found in the breast of Rui, " said one of the taricheutesdecisively. "It was opened yesterday in the presence of us all by thisold paraschites. "

"It is extraordinary, " said the priest of Anion. "And incredible. Butperhaps an exchange was effected. --Did you slaughter any victims hereyesterday or--?"

"We are purifying ourselves, " the chief of the kolchytes interrupted, "for the great festival of the valley, and for ten days no beast canhave been killed here for food; besides, the stables and slaughterhousesare a long way from this, on the other side of the linen-factories. "

"It is strange!" replied the priest. "Preserve this heart carefully, kolchytes: or, better still, let it be enclosed in a case. We will takeit over to the chief prophet of Anion. It would seem that some miraclehas happened. "

"The heart belongs to the Necropolis, " answered the chief kolchytes, "and it would therefore be more fitting if we took it to the chiefpriest of the temple of Seti, Ameni. "

"You command here!" said the other. "Let us go. " In a few minutesthe priest of Anion and the chief of the kolchytes were being carriedtowards the valley in their litters. A taricheut followed them, who saton a seat between two asses, and carefully carried a casket of ivory, inwhich reposed the ram's heart. 

The old paraschites watched the priests disappear behind the tamariskbushes. He longed to run after them, and tell them everything. 

His conscience quaked with self reproach, and if his sluggishintelligence did not enable him to take in at a glance all the resultsthat his deed might entail, he still could guess that he had sown aseed whence deceit of every kind must grow. He felt as if he had fallenaltogether into sin and falsehood, and that the goddess of truth, whomhe had all his life honestly served, had reproachfully turned her backon him. After what had happened never could he hope to be pronounced a"truth-speaker" by the judges of the dead. Lost, thrown away, was theaim and end of a long life, rich in self-denial and prayer! His soulshed tears of blood, a wild sighing sounded in his ears, which saddenedhis spirit, and when he went back to his work again, and wanted toremove the soles of the feet

 [One of the mummies of Prague which were dissected by Czermak, had the soles of the feet removed and laid on the breast. We learn from Chapter 125 of the Book of the Dead that this was done that the sacred floor of the hall of judgment might not be defiled when the dead were summoned before Osiris. ]

from a body, his hand trembled so that he could not hold the knife. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The news of the end of the sacred ram of Anion, and of the death of thebull Apis of Memphis, had reached the House of Seti, and was receivedthere with loud lamentation, in which all its inhabitants joined, fromthe chief haruspex down to the smallest boy in the school-courts. 

The superior of the institution, Ameni, had been for three days inThebes, and was expected to return to-day. His arrival was looked forwith anxiety and excitement by many. The chief of the haruspices waseager for it that he might hand over the imprisoned scholars to condignpunishment, and complain to him of Pentaur and Bent-Anat; the initiatedknew that important transactions must have been concluded on the fartherside of the Nile; and the rebellious disciples knew that now sternjustice would be dealt to them. 

The insurrectionary troop were locked into an open court upon bread andwater, and as the usual room of detention of the establishment was toosmall for them all, for two nights they had had to sleep in a loft onthin straw mats. The young spirits were excited to the highest pitch, but each expressed his feelings in quite a different manner. 

Bent-Anat's brother, Rameses' son, Rameri, had experienced the sametreatment as his fellows, whom yesterday he had led into every sort ofmischief, with even more audacity than usual, but to-day he hung hishead. 

In a corner of the court sat Anana, Pentaur's favorite scholar, hidinghis face in his hands which rested on his knees. Rameri went up to him, touched his shoulders and said:

"We have played the game, and now must bear the consequences for goodand for evil. Are you not ashamed of yourself, old boy? Your eyes arewet, and the drops here on your hands have not fallen from the clouds. You who are seventeen, and in a few months will be a scribe and a grownman!"

Anana looked at the prince, dried his eyes quickly; and said:

"I was the ring-leader. Ameni will turn me out of the place, and I mustreturn disgraced to my poor mother, who has no one in the world but me. "

"Poor fellow!" said Rameri kindly. "It was striking at random! If onlyour attempt had done Pentaur any good!"

"We have done him harm, on the contrary, " said Anana vehemently, "and have behaved like fools!" Rameri nodded in full assent, lookedthoughtful for a moment, and then said:

"Do you know, Anana, that you were not the ringleader? The trick wasplanned in this crazy brain; I take the whole blame on my own shoulders. I am the son of Rameses, and Ameni will be less hard on me than on you. "

"He will examine us all, " replied Anana, "and I will be punished soonerthan tell a lie. "

Rameri colored. 

"Have you ever known my tongue sin against the lovely daughter of Ra?"he exclaimed. "But look here! did I stir up Antef, Hapi, Sent and allthe others or no? Who but I advised you to find out Pentaur? Did Ithreaten to beg my father to take me from the school of Seti or not? Iwas the instigator of the mischief, I pulled the wires, and if we arequestioned let me speak first. Not one of you is to mention Anana'sname; do you hear? not one of you, and if they flog us or deprive us ofour food we all stick to this, that I was guilty of all the mischief. "

"You are a brave fellow!" said the son of the chief priest of Anion, shaking his right hand, while Anana held his left. 

The prince freed himself laughing from their grasp. 

"Now the old man may come home, " he exclaimed, "we are ready for him. But all the same I will ask my father to send me to Chennu, as sure asmy name is Rameri, if they do not recall Pentaur. "

"He treated us like school-boys!" said the eldest of the youngmalefactors. 

"And with reason, " replied Rameri, "I respect him all the more for it. You all think I am a careless dog--but I have my own ideas, and I willspeak the words of wisdom. "

With these words he looked round on his companions with comical gravity, and continued--imitating Ameni's manner:

"Great men are distinguished from little men by this--they scorn andcontemn all which flatters their vanity, or seems to them for the momentdesirable, or even useful, if it is not compatible with the laws whichthey recognize, or conducive to some great end which they have setbefore them; even though that end may not be reached till after theirdeath. 

"I have learned this, partly from my father, but partly I have thoughtit out for myself; and now I ask you, could Pentaur as 'a great man'have dealt with us better?"

"You have put into words exactly what I myself have thought ever sinceyesterday, " cried Anana. "We have behaved like babies, and instead ofcarrying our point we have brought ourselves and Pentaur into disgrace. "

The rattle of an approaching chariot was now audible, and Rameriexclaimed, interrupting Anana, "It is he. Courage, boys! I am the guiltyone. He will not dare to have me thrashed--but he will stab me withlooks!"

Ameni descended quickly from his chariot. The gate-keeper informed himthat the chief of the kolchytes, and the inspector of victims from thetemple of Anion, desired to speak with him. 

"They must wait, " said the Prophet shortly. "Show them meanwhile intothe garden pavilion. Where is the chief haruspex?"

He had hardly spoken when the vigorous old man for whom he was enquiringhurried to meet him, to make him acquainted with all that had occurredin his absence. But the high-priest had already heard in Thebes all thathis colleague was anxious to tell him. 

When Ameni was absent from the House of Seti, he caused accurateinformation to be brought to him every morning of what had taken placethere. 

Now when the old man began his story he interrupted him. 

"I know everything, " he said. "The disciples cling to Pentaur, and havecommitted a folly for his sake, and you met the princess Bent-Anat withhim in the temple of Hatasu, to which he had admitted a woman of lowrank before she had been purified. These are grave matters, and must beseriously considered, but not to-day. Make yourself easy; Pentaur willnot escape punishment; but for to-day we must recall him to this temple, for we have need of him to-morrow for the solemnity of the feast of thevalley. No one shall meet him as an enemy till he is condemned; I desirethis of you, and charge you to repeat it to the others. "

The haruspex endeavored to represent to his superior what a scandalwould arise from this untimely clemency; but Ameni did not allow him totalk, he demanded his ring back, called a young priest, delivered theprecious signet into his charge, and desired him to get into his chariotthat was waiting at the door, and carry to Pentaur the command, in hisname, to return to the temple of Seti. 

The haruspex submitted, though deeply vexed, and asked whether theguilty boys were also to go unpunished. 

"No more than Pentaur, " answered Ameni. "But can you call thisschool-boy's trick guilt? Leave the children to their fun, and theirimprudence. The educator is the destroyer, if he always and only keepshis eyes open, and cannot close them at the right moment. Beforelife demands of us the exercise of serious duties we have a mightyover-abundance of vigor at our disposal; the child exhausts it in play, and the boy in building wonder-castles with the hammer and chisel ofhis fancy, in inventing follies. You shake your head, Septah! but I tellyou, the audacious tricks of the boy are the fore-runners of the deedsof the man. I shall let one only of the boys suffer for what is past, and I should let him even go unpunished if I had not other pressingreasons for keeping him away from our festival. "

The haruspex did not contradict his chief; for he knew that when Ameni'seyes flashed so suddenly, and his demeanor, usually so measured, was asrestless as at present, something serious was brewing. 

The high-priest understood what was passing in Septah's mind. 

"You do not understand me now, " said he. "But this evening, at themeeting of the initiated, you shall know all. Great events are stirring. The brethren in the temple of Anion, on the other shore, have fallen offfrom what must always be the Holiest to us white-robed priests, and willstand in our way when the time for action is arrived. At the feast ofthe valley we shall stand in competition with the brethren from Thebes. All Thebes will be present at the solemn service, and it must be provedwhich knows how to serve the Divinity most worthily, they or we. We mustavail ourselves of all our resources, and Pentaur we certainly cannot dowithout. He must fill the function of Cherheb

 [Cherheb was the title of the speaker or reciter at a festival. We cannot agree with those who confuse this personage with the chief of the Kolchytes. ]

for to-morrow only; the day after he must be brought to judgment. Amongthe rebellious boys are our best singers, and particularly young Anana, who leads the voices of the choir-boys. 

"I will examine the silly fellows at once. Rameri--Rameses' son--wasamong the young miscreants?"

"He seems to have been the ring-leader, " answered Septah. 

Ameni looked at the old man with a significant smile, and said:

"The royal family are covering themselves with honor! His eldestdaughter must be kept far from the temple and the gathering of thepious, as being unclean and refractory, and we shall be obliged to expelhis son too from our college. You look horrified, but I say to youthat the time for action is come. More of this, this evening. Now, onequestion: Has the news of the death of the ram of Anion reached you?Yes? Rameses himself presented him to the God, and they gave it hisname. A bad omen. "

"And Apis too is dead!" The haruspex threw up his arms in lamentation. 

"His Divine spirit has returned to God, " replied Ameni. "Now we havemuch to do. Before all things we must prove ourselves equal to those inThebes over there, and win the people over to our side. The panegyricprepared by us for to-morrow must offer some great novelty. The RegentAni grants us a rich contribution, and--"

"And, " interrupted Septah, "our thaumaturgists understand thingsvery differently from those of the house of Anion, who feast while wepractise. "

Ameni nodded assent, and said with a smile: "Also we are moreindispensable than they to the people. They show them the path of life, but we smooth the way of death. It is easier to find the way without aguide in the day-light than in the dark. We are more than a match forthe priests of Anion. "

"So long as you are our leader, certainly, " cried the haruspex. 

"And so long as the temple has no lack of men of your temper!" addedAmeni, half to Septah, and half to the second prophet of the temple, sturdy old Gagabu, who had come into the room. 

Both accompanied him into the garden, where the two priests wereawaiting him with the miraculous heart. 

Ameni greeted the priest from the temple of Anion with dignifiedfriendliness, the head kolchytes with distant reserve, listened to theirstory, looked at the heart which lay in the box, with Septah and Gagabu, touched it delicately with the tips of his fingers, carefully examiningthe object, which diffused a strong perfume of spices; then he saidearnestly:

"If this, in your opinion, kolchytes, is not a human heart, and if inyours, my brother of the temple of Anion, it is a ram's heart, and ifit was found in the body of Rui, who is gone to Osiris, we here have amystery which only the Gods can solve. Follow me into the great court. Let the gong be sounded, Gagabu, four times, for I wish to call all thebrethren together. "

The gong rang in loud waves of sound to the farthest limits of the groupof buildings. The initiated, the fathers, the temple-servants, and thescholars streamed in, and in a few minutes were all collected. Not a manwas wanting, for at the four strokes of the rarely-sounded alarum everydweller in the House of Seti was expected to appear in the court of thetemple. Even the leech Nebsecht came; for he feared that the unusualsummons announced the outbreak of a fire. 

Ameni ordered the assembly to arrange itself in a procession, informedhis astonished hearers that in the breast of the deceased prophet Rui, aram's heart, instead of a man's, had been found, and desired them all tofollow his instructions. Each one, he said, was to fall on his kneesand pray, while he would carry the heart into the holiest of holies, andenquire of the Gods what this wonder might portend to the faithful. 

Ameni, with the heart in his hand, placed himself at the head of theprocession, and disappeared behind the veil of the sanctuary, theinitiated prayed in the vestibule, in front of it; the priests andscholars in the vast court, which was closed on the west by the statelycolonnade and the main gateway to the temple. 

For fully an hour Ameni remained in the silent holy of holies, fromwhich thick clouds of incense rolled out, and then he reappeared witha golden vase set with precious stones. His tall figure was nowresplendent with rich ornaments, and a priest, who walked before him, held the vessel high above his head. 

Ameni's eyes seemed spell-bound to the vase, and he followed it, supporting himself by his crozier, with humble inflections. 

The initiated bowed their heads till they touched the pavement, andthe priests and scholars bent their faces down to the earth, when theybeheld their haughty master so filled with humility and devotion. Theworshippers did not raise themselves till Ameni had reached the middleof the court and ascended the steps of the altar, on which the vasewith the heart was now placed, and they listened to the slow and solemnaccents of the high-priest which sounded clearly through the wholecourt. 

"Fall down again and worship! wonder, pray, and adore! The nobleinspector of sacrifices of the temple of Anion has not been deceivedin his judgment; a ram's heart was in fact found in the pious breast ofRui. I heard distinctly the voice of the Divinity in the sanctuary, andstrange indeed was the speech that met my ear. Wolves tore the sacredram of Anion in his sanctuary on the other bank of the river, but theheart of the divine beast found its way into the bosom of the saintlyRui. A great miracle has been worked, and the Gods have shown awonderful sign. The spirit of the Highest liked not to dwell in the bodyof this not perfectly holy ram, and seeking a purer abiding-place foundit in the breast of our Rui; and now in this consecrated vase. In thisthe heart shall be preserved till a new ram offered by a worthy handenters the herd of Anion. This heart shall be preserved with the mostsacred relics, it has the property of healing many diseases, and thesignificant words seem favorable which stood written in the midst of thevapor of incense, and which I will repeat to you word for word, 'Thatwhich is high shall rise higher, and that which exalts itself, shallsoon fall down. ' Rise, pastophori! hasten to fetch the holy images, bring them out, place the sacred heart at the head of the procession, and let us march round the walls of the temple with hymns of praise. Yetemple-servants, seize your staves, and spread in every part of the citythe news of the miracle which the Divinity has vouchsafed to us. "

After the procession had marched round the temple and dispersed, thepriest of Anion took leave of Ameni; he bowed deeply and formally beforehim, and with a coolness that was almost malicious said:

"We, in the temple of Anion, shall know how to appreciate what you heardin the holy of holies. The miracle has occurred, and the king shalllearn how it came to pass, and in what words it was announced. "

"In the words of the Most High, " said the high priest with dignity;he bowed to the other, and turned to a group of priests, who werediscussing the great event of the day. 

Ameni enquired of them as to the preparations for the festival of themorrow, and then desired the chief haruspex to call the refractorypupils together in the school-court. The old man informed him thatPentaur had returned, and he followed his superior to the releasedprisoners, who, prepared for the worst, and expecting severe punishment, nevertheless shook with laughter when Rameri suggested that, if bychance they were condemned to kneel upon peas, they should get themcooked first. 

"It will be long asparagus

 [Asparagus was known to the Egyptians. Pliny says they held in their mouths, as a remedy for toothache, wine in which asparagus had been cooked. ]--not peas, " said another looking over his shoulder, and pretending tobe flogging. They all shouted again with laughter, but it was hushed assoon as they heard Ameni's well-known footstep. 

Each feared the worst, and when the high-priest stood before them evenRameri's mirth was quite quelled, for though Ameni looked neitherangry nor threatening, his appearance commanded respect, and each onerecognized in him a judge against whose verdict no remonstrance was tobe thought of. 

To their infinite astonishment Ameni spoke kindly to the thoughtlessboys, praised the motive of their action--their attachment to ahighly-endowed teacher--but then clearly and deliberately laid beforethem the folly of the means they had employed to attain their end, andat what a cost. "Only think, " he continued, turning to the prince, "if your father sent a general, who he thought would be better in adifferent place, from Syria to Kusch, and his troops therefore all wentover to the enemy! How would you like that?"

So for some minutes he continued to blame and warn them, and he endedhis speech by promising, in consideration of the great miracle that gavethat day a special sanctity, to exercise unwonted clemency. For the sakeof example, he said, he could not let them pass altogether unpunished, and he now asked them which of them had been the instigator of the deed;he and he only should suffer punishment. 

He had hardly clone speaking, when prince Rameri stepped forward, andsaid modestly:

"We acknowledge, holy father, that we have played a foolish trick; and Ilament it doubly because I devised it, and made the others follow me. I love Pentaur, and next to thee there is no one like him in thesanctuary. "

Ameni's countenance grew dark, and he answered with displeasure:

"No judgment is allowed to pupils as to their teachers--nor to you. Ifyou were not the son of the king, who rules Egypt as Ra, I would punishyour temerity with stripes. My hands are tied with regard to you, andyet they must be everywhere and always at work if the hundreds committedto my care are to be kept from harm. "

"Nay, punish me!" cried Rameri. "If I commit a folly I am ready to bearthe consequences. "

Ameni looked pleased at the vehement boy, and would willingly haveshaken him by the hand and stroked his curly head, but the penance heproposed for Rameri was to serve a great end, and Ameni would notallow any overflow of emotion to hinder him in the execution of a wellconsidered design. So he answered the prince with grave determination:

"I must and will punish you--and I do so by requesting you to leave theHouse of Seti this very day. "

The prince turned pale. But Ameni went on more kindly:

"I do not expel you with ignominy from among us--I only bid you afriendly farewell. In a few weeks you would in any case have left thecollege, and by the king's command have transferred your blooming life, health, and strength to the exercising ground of the chariot-brigade. Nopunishment for you but this lies in my power. Now give me your hand; youwill make a fine man, and perhaps a great warrior. "

The prince stood in astonishment before Ameni, and did not take hisoffered hand. Then the priest went up to him, and said:

"You said you were ready to take the consequences of your folly, anda prince's word must be kept. Before sunset we will conduct you to thegate of the temple. "

Ameni turned his back on the boys, and left the school-court. 

Rameri looked after him. Utter whiteness had overspread his bloomingface, and the blood had left even his lips. None of his companionsapproached him, for each felt that what was passing in his soul at thismoment would brook no careless intrusion. No one spoke a word; they alllooked at him. 

He soon observed this, and tried to collect himself, and then he said ina low tone while he held out his hands to Anana and another friend:

"Am I then so bad that I must be driven out from among you all likethis--that such a blow must be inflicted on my father?"

"You refused Ameni your hand!" answered Anana. "Go to him, offer himyour hand, beg him to be less severe, and perhaps he will let youremain. "

Rameri answered only "No. " But that "No" was so decided that all whoknew him understood that it was final. 

Before the sun set he had left the school. Ameni gave him his blessing;he told him that if he himself ever had to command he would understandhis severity, and allowed the other scholars to accompany him as far asthe Nile. Pentaur parted from him tenderly at the gate. 

When Rameri was alone in the cabin of his gilt bark with his tutor, hefelt his eyes swimming in tears. 

"Your highness is surely not weeping?" asked the official. 

"Why?" asked the prince sharply. 

"I thought I saw tears on your highness' cheeks. "

"Tears of joy that I am out of the trap, " cried Rameri; he sprang onshore, and in a few minutes he was with his sister in the palace. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

This eventful day had brought much that was unexpected to our friends inThebes, as well as to those who lived in the Necropolis. 

The Lady Katuti had risen early after a sleepless night. Nefert had comein late, had excused her delay by shortly explaining to her mother thatshe had been detained by Bent-Anat, and had then affectionately offeredher brow for a kiss of "good-night. "

When the widow was about to withdraw to her sleeping-room, and Nemu hadlighted her lamp, she remembered the secret which was to deliver Paakerinto Ani's hands. She ordered the dwarf to impart to her what heknew, and the little man told her at last, after sincere efforts atresistance--for he feared for his mother's safety--that Paaker hadadministered half of a love-philter to Nefert, and that the remainderwas still in his hands. 

A few hours since this information would have filled Katuti withindignation and disgust; now, though she blamed the Mohar, she askedeagerly whether such a drink could be proved to have any actual effect. 

"Not a doubt of it, " said the dwarf, "if the whole were taken, butNefert only had half of it. "

At a late hour Katuti was still pacing her bedroom, thinking of Paaker'sinsane devotion, of Mena's faithlessness, and of Nefert's altereddemeanor; and when she went to bed, a thousand conjectures, fears, andanxieties tormented her, while she was distressed at the change whichhad come over Nefert's love to her mother, a sentiment which of allothers should be the most sacred, and the most secure against all shock. 

Soon after sunrise she went into the little temple attached to thehouse, and made an offering to the statue, which, under the form ofOsiris, represented her lost husband; then she went to the temple ofAnion, where she also prayed a while, and nevertheless, on her returnhome, found that her daughter had not yet made her appearance in thehall where they usually breakfasted together. 

Katuti preferred to be undisturbed during the early morning hours, andtherefore did not interfere with her daughter's disposition to sleep farinto the day in her carefully-darkened room. 

When the widow went to the temple Nefert was accustomed to take a cup ofmilk in bed, then she would let herself be dressed, and when her motherreturned, she would find her in the veranda or hall, which is so wellknown to the reader. 

To-day however Katuti had to breakfast alone; but when she had eaten afew mouthfuls she prepared Nefert's breakfast--a white cake and a littlewine in a small silver beaker, carefully guarded from dust and insectsby a napkin thrown over it--and went into her daughter's room. 

She was startled at finding it empty, but she was informed that Neferthad gone earlier than was her wont to the temple, in her litter. 

With a heavy sigh she returned to the veranda, and there receivedher nephew Paaker, who had come to enquire after the health of hisrelatives, followed by a slave, who carried two magnificent bunches offlowers, and by the great dog which had formerly belonged to his father. One bouquet he said had been cut for Nefert, and the other for hermother. 

 [Pictures on the monuments show that in ancient Egypt, as at the present time, bouquets of flowers were bestowed as tokens of friendly feeling. ]

Katuti had taken quite a new interest in Paaker since she had heard ofhis procuring the philter. 

No other young man of the rank to which they belonged, would haveallowed himself to be so mastered by his passion for a woman as thisPaaker was, who went straight to his aim with stubborn determination, and shunned no means that might lead to it. The pioneer, who hadgrown up under her eyes, whose weaknesses she knew, and whom she wasaccustomed to look down upon, suddenly appeared to her as a differentman--almost a stranger--as the deliverer of his friends, and themerciless antagonist of his enemies. 

These reflections had passed rapidly through her mind. Now her eyesrested on the sturdy, strongly-knit figure of her nephew, and it struckher that he bore no resemblance to his tall, handsome father. Often hadshe admired her brother-in-law's slender hand, that nevertheless couldso effectually wield a sword, but that of his son was broad and ignoblein form. 

While Paaker was telling her that he must shortly leave for Syria, she involuntarily observed the action of this hand, which often wentcautiously to his girdle as if he had something concealed there; thiswas the oval phial with the rest of the philter. Katuti observed it, andher cheeks flushed when it occurred to her to guess what he had there. 

The pioneer could not but observe Katuti's agitation, and he said in atone of sympathy:

"I perceive that you are in pain, or in trouble. The master of Mena'sstud at Hermonthis has no doubt been with you--No? He came to meyesterday, and asked me to allow him to join my troops. He is very angrywith you, because he has been obliged to sell some of Mena's gold-bays. I have bought the finest of them. They are splendid creatures! Now hewants to go to his master 'to open his eyes, ' as he says. Lie down alittle while, aunt, you are very pale. "

Katuti did not follow this prescription; on the contrary she smiled, andsaid in a voice half of anger and half of pity:

"The old fool firmly believes that the weal or woe of the family dependson the gold-bays. He would like to go with you? To open Mena's eyes? Noone has yet tried to bind them!"

Katuti spoke the last words in a low tone, and her glance fell. Paakeralso looked down, and was silent; but he soon recovered his presence ofmind, and said:

"If Nefert is to be long absent, I will go. "

"No--no, stay, " cried the widow. "She wished to see you, and must sooncome in. There are her cake and her wine waiting for her. "

With these words she took the napkin off the breakfast-table, held upthe beaker in her hand, and then said, with the cloth still in her hand:

"I will leave you a moment, and see if Nefert is not yet come home. "

Hardly had she left the veranda when Paaker, having convinced himselfthat no one could see him, snatched the flask from his girdle, and, witha short invocation to his father in Osiris, poured its whole contentsinto the beaker, which thus was filled to the very brim. A few minuteslater Nefert and her mother entered the hall. 

Paaker took up the nosegay, which his slave had laid down on a seat, andtimidly approached the young woman, who walked in with such an aspectof decision and self-confidence, that her mother looked at her inastonishment, while Paaker felt as if she had never before appearedso beautiful and brilliant. Was it possible that she should love herhusband, when his breach of faith troubled her so little? Did her heartstill belong to another? Or had the love-philter set him in the place ofMena? Yes! yes! for how warmly she greeted him. She put out her hand tohim while he was still quite far off, let it rest in his, thanked himwith feeling, and praised his fidelity and generosity. 

Then she went up to the table, begged Paaker to sit down with her, brokeher cake, and enquired for her aunt Setchern, Paaker's mother. 

Katuti and Paaker watched all her movements with beating hearts. 

Now she took up the beaker, and lifted it to her lips, but set it downagain to answer Paaker's remark that she was breakfasting late. 

"I have hitherto been a real lazy-bones, " she said with a blush. "Butthis morning I got up early, to go and pray in the temple in the freshdawn. You know what has happened to the sacred ram of Amion. It is afrightful occurrence. The priests were all in the greatest agitation, but the venerable Bek el Chunsu received me himself, and interpreted mydream, and now my spirit is light and contented. "

"And you did all this without me?" said Katuti in gentle reproof. 

"I would not disturb you, " replied Nefert. "Besides, " she addedcoloring, "you never take me to the city and the temple in the morning. "

Again she took up the wine-cup and looked into it, but without drinkingany, went on:

"Would you like to hear what I dreamed, Paaker? It was a strangevision. "

The pioneer could hardly breathe for expectation, still he begged her totell her dream. 

"Only think, " said Nefert, pushing the beaker on the smooth table, which was wet with a few drops which she had spilt, "I dreamed of theNeha-tree, down there in the great tub, which your father brought mefrom Punt, when I was a little child, and which since then has grownquite a tall tree. There is no tree in the garden I love so much, for italways reminds me of your father, who was so kind to me, and whom I cannever forget!"

Paaker bowed assent. 

Nefert looked at him, and interrupted her story when she observed hiscrimson cheeks. 

"It is very hot! Would you like some wine to drink---or some water?"

With these words she raised the wine-cup, and drank about half of thecontents; then she shuddered, and while her pretty face took a comicalexpression, she turned to her mother, who was seated behind her and heldthe beaker towards her. 

"The wine is quite sour to-day!" she said. "Taste it, mother. "

Katuti took the little silver-cup in her hand, and gravely put it to herlips, but without wetting them. A smile passed over her face, and hereyes met those of the pioneer, who stared at her in horror. The pictureflashed before her mind of herself languishing for the pioneer, and ofhis terror at her affection for him! Her selfish and intriguing spiritwas free from coarseness, and yet she could have laughed with all herheart even while engaged in the most shameful deed of her whole life. She gave the wine back to her daughter, saying good-humoredly:

"I have tasted sweeter, but acid is refreshing in this heat. "

"That is true, " said the wife of Mena; she emptied the cup to thebottom, and then went on, as if refreshed, "But I will tell you therest of my dream. I saw the Neha-tree, which your father gave me, quiteplainly; nay I could have declared that I smelt its perfume, but theinterpreter assured me that we never smell in our dreams. I went up tothe beautiful tree in admiration. Then suddenly a hundred axes appearedin the air, wielded by unseen hands, and struck the poor tree with suchviolence that the branches one by one fell to the ground, and atlast the trunk itself was felled. If you think it grieved me you aremistaken. On the contrary, I was delighted with the flashing hatchetsand the flying splinters. When at last nothing was left but the rootsin the tub of earth, I perceived that the tree was rising to new life. Suddenly my arms became strong, my feet active, and I fetched quantitiesof water from the tank, poured it over the roots, and when, at last, Icould exert myself no longer, a tender green shoot showed itself on thewounded root, a bud appeared, a green leaf unfolded itself, a juicy stemsprouted quickly, it became a firm trunk, sent out branches and twigs, and these became covered with leaves and flowers, white, red and blue;then various birds came and settled on the top of the tree, and sang. Ah! my heart sang louder than the birds at that moment, and I said tomyself that without me the tree would have been dead, and that it owedits life to me. "

"A beautiful dream, " said Katuti; "that reminds me of your girlhood, when you would be awake half the night inventing all sorts of tales. What interpretation did the priest give you?"

"He promised me many things, " said Nefert, "and he gave me the assurancethat the happiness to which I am predestined shall revive in freshbeauty after many interruptions. "

"And Paaker's father gave you the Neha-tree?" asked Katuti, leaving theveranda as she spoke and walking out into the garden. 

"My father brought it to Thebes from the far cast, " said Paaker, inconfirmation of the widow's parting words. 

"And that is exactly what makes me so happy, " said Nefert. "For yourfather was as kind, and as dear to me as if he had been my own. Do youremember when we were sailing round the pond, and the boat upset, andyou pulled me senseless out of the water? Never shall I forget theexpression with which the great man looked at me when I woke up in itsarms; such wise true eyes no one ever had but he. "

"He was good, and he loved you very much, " said Paaker, recalling, forhis part, the moment when he had dared to press a kiss on the lips ofthe sweet unconscious child. 

"And I am so glad, " Nefert went on, "that the day has come at last whenwe can talk of him together again, and when the old grudge that layso heavy in my heart is all forgotten. How good you are to us, I havealready learned; my heart overflows with gratitude to you, when Iremember my childhood, and I can never forget that I was indebted to youfor all that was bright and happy in it. Only look at the big dog--poorDescher!--how he rubs against me, and shows that he has not forgottenme! Whatever comes from your house fills my mind with pleasantmemories. "

"We all love you dearly, " said Paaker looking at her tenderly. 

"And how sweet it was in your garden!" cried Nefert. "The nosegay herethat you have brought me shall be placed in water, and preserved a longtime, as greeting from the place in which once I could play carelessly, and dream so happily. "

With these words she pressed the flowers to her lips; Paaker sprangforward, seized her hand, and covered it with burning kisses. 

Nefert started and drew away her hand, but he put out his arm to claspher to him. He had touched her with his trembling hand, when loud voiceswere heard in the garden, and Nemu hurried in to announce he arrival ofthe princess Bent-Anat. 

At the same moment Katuti appeared, and in a few minutes the princessherself. 

Paaker retreated, and quitted the room before Nefert had time to expressher indignation. He staggered to his chariot like a drunken man. Hesupposed himself beloved by Mena's wife, his heart was full of triumph, he proposed rewarding Hekt with gold, and went to the palace withoutdelay to crave of Ani a mission to Syria. There it should be brought tothe test--he or Mena. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

While Nefert, frozen with horror, could not find a word of greeting forher royal friend, Bent-Anat with native dignity laid before the widowher choice of Nefert to fill the place of her lost companion, anddesired that Mena's wife should go to the palace that very day. 

She had never before spoken thus to Katuti, and Katuti could notoverlook the fact that Bent-Anat had intentionally given up her oldconfidential tone. 

"Nefert has complained of me to her, " thought she to herself, "and sheconsiders me no longer worthy of her former friendly kindness. "

She was vexed and hurt, and though she understood the danger whichthreatened her, now her daughter's eyes were opened, still the thoughtof losing her child inflicted a painful wound. It was this which filledher eyes with tears, and sincere sorrow trembled in her voice as shereplied:

"Thou hast required the better half of my life at my hand; but thou hastbut to command, and I to obey. " Bent-Anat waved her hand proudly, asif to confirm the widow's statement; but Nefert went up to her mother, threw her arms round her neck, and wept upon her shoulder. 

Tears glistened even in the princess's eyes when Katuti at last led herdaughter towards her, and pressed yet one more kiss on her forehead. 

Bent-Anat took Nefert's hand, and did not release it, while sherequested the widow to give her daughter's dresses and ornaments intothe charge of the slaves and waiting-women whom she would send for them. 

"And do not forget the case with the dried flowers, and my amulets, andthe images of the Gods, " said Nefert. "And I should like to have theNeha tree which my uncle gave me. "

Her white cat was playing at her feet with Paaker's flowers, whichshe had dropped on the floor, and when she saw her she took her up andkissed her. 

"Bring the little creature with you, " said Bent-Anat. "It was yourfavorite plaything. "

"No, " replied Nefert coloring. 

The princess understood her, pressed her hand, and said while shepointed to Nemu:

"The dwarf is your own too: shall he come with you?"

"I will give him to my mother, " said Nefert. She let the little man kissher robe and her feet, once more embraced Katuti, and quitted the gardenwith her royal friend. 

As soon as Katuti was alone, she hastened into the little chapel inwhich the figures of her ancestors stood, apart from those of Mena. Shethrew herself down before the statue of her husband, half weeping, halfthankful. 

This parting had indeed fallen heavily on her soul, but at the sametime it released her from a mountain of anxiety that had oppressed herbreast. Since yesterday she had felt like one who walks along the edgeof a precipice, and whose enemy is close at his heels; and the sense offreedom from the ever threatening danger, soon got the upperhand of hermaternal grief. The abyss in front of her had suddenly closed; the roadto the goal of her efforts lay before her smooth and firm beneath herfeet. 

The widow, usually so dignified, hastily and eagerly walked down thegarden path, and for the first time since that luckless letter from thecamp had reached her, she could look calmly and clearly at the positionof affairs, and reflect on the measures which Ani must take in theimmediate future. She told herself that all was well, and that the timefor prompt and rapid action was now come. 

When the messengers came from the princess she superintended thepacking of the various objects which Nefert wished to have, with calmdeliberation, and then sent her dwarf to Ani, to beg that he would visither. But before Nemu had left Mena's grounds he saw the out-runners ofthe Regent, his chariot, and the troop of guards following him. 

Very soon Katuti and her noble friend were walking up and down in thegarden, while she related to him how Bent-Anat had taken Nefert fromher, and repeated to him all that she had planned and considered duringthe last hour. 

"You have the genius of a man, " said Ani; "and this time you do noturge me in vain. Ameni is ready to act, Paaker is to-day collecting histroops, to-morrow he will assist at the feast of the Valley, and thenext day he goes to Syria. "

"He has been with you?" Katuti asked. 

"He came to the palace on leaving your house, " replied Ani, "withglowing cheeks, and resolved to the utmost; though he does not dreamthat I hold him in my hand. "

Thus speaking they entered the veranda, in which Nemu had remained, andhe now hid himself as usual behind the ornamental shrubs to overhearthem. They sat down near each other, by Nefert's breakfast table, andAni asked Katuti whether the dwarf had told her his mother's secret. Katuti feigned ignorance, listened to the story of the love-philter, andplayed the part of the alarmed mother very cleverly. The Regent wasof opinion, while he tried to soothe her, that there was no reallove-potion in the case; but the widow exclaimed:

"Now I understand, now for the first time I comprehend my daughter. Paaker must have poured the drink into her wine, for she had no soonerdrunk it this morning than she was quite altered her words to Paaker hadquite a tender ring in them; and if he placed himself so cheerfully atyour disposal it is because he believes himself certainly to be belovedby my daughter. The old witch's potion was effectual. "

"There certainly are such drinks--" said Ani thoughtfully. "But willthey only win hearts to young men! If that is the case, the old woman'strade is a bad one, for youth is in itself a charm to attract love. IfI were only as young as Paaker! You laugh at the sighs of a man--sayat once of an old man! Well, yes, I am old, for the prime of life liesbehind me. And yet Katuti, my friend, wisest of women--explain to me onething. When I was young I was loved by many and admired many women, butnot one of them--not even my wife, who died young, was more to me thana toy, a plaything; and now when I stretch out my hand for a girl, whosefather I might very well be--not for her own sake, but simply to servemy purpose--and she refuses me, I feel as much disturbed, as much a foolas-as that dealer in love-philters, Paaker. "

"Have you spoken to Bent-Anat?" asked Katuti. 

"And heard again from her own lips the refusal she had sent me throughyou. You see my spirit has suffered!"

"And on what pretext did she reject your suit?" asked the widow. 

"Pretext!" cried Ani. "Bent-Anat and pretext! It must be owned that shehas kingly pride, and not Ma--[The Goddess of Truth]--herself is moretruthful than she. That I should have to confess it! When I think ofher, our plots seem to me unutterably pitiful. My veins contain, indeed, many drops of the blood of Thotmes, and though the experience of lifehas taught me to stoop low, still the stooping hurts me. I have neverknown the happy feeling of satisfaction with my lot and my work; forI have always had a greater position than I could fill, and constantlydone less than I ought to have done. In order not to look alwaysresentful, I always wear a smile. I have nothing left of the face I wasborn with but the mere skin, and always wear a mask. I serve him whosemaster I believe I ought to be by birth; I hate Rameses, who, sincerelyor no, calls me his brother; and while I stand as if I were the bulwarkof his authority I am diligently undermining it. My whole existence is alie. "

"But it will be truth, " cried Katuti, "as soon as the Gods allow you tobe--as you are--the real king of this country. "

"Strange!" said Ani smiling, Ameni, "this very day, used almost exactlythe same words. The wisdom of priests, and that of women, have much incommon, and they fight with the same weapons. You use words instead ofswords, traps instead of lances, and you cast not our bodies, but oursouls, into irons. "

"Do you blame or praise us for it?" said the widow. "We are in any casenot impotent allies, and therefore, it seems to me, desirable ones. "

"Indeed you are, " said Ani smiling. "Not a tear is shed in the land, whether it is shed for joy or for sorrow, for which in the firstinstance a priest or a woman is not responsible. Seriously, Katuti--innine great events out of ten you women have a hand in the game. You gavethe first impulse to all that is plotting here, and I will confess toyou that, regardless of all consequences, I should in a few hours havegiven up my pretensions to the throne, if that woman Bent-Anat had said'yes' instead of 'no. '"

"You make me believe, " said Katuti, "that the weaker sex are giftedwith stronger wills than the nobler. In marrying us you style us, 'themistress of the house, ' and if the elders of the citizens grow infirm, in this country it is not the sons but the daughters that must betheir mainstay. But we women have our weaknesses, and chief of these iscuriosity. --May I ask on what ground Bent-Anat dismissed you?"

"You know so much that you may know all, " replied Ani. "She admittedme to speak to her alone. It was yet early, and she had come from thetemple, where the weak old prophet had absolved her from uncleanness;she met me, bright, beautiful and proud, strong and radiant as aGoddess, and a princess. My heart throbbed as if I were a boy, and whileshe was showing me her flowers I said to myself: 'You are come to obtainthrough her another claim to the throne. ' And yet I felt that, if sheconsented to be mine, I would remain the true brother, the faithfulRegent of Rameses, and enjoy happiness and peace by her side before itwas too late. If she refused me then I resolved that fate must takeits way, and, instead of peace and love, it must be war for the crownsnatched from my fathers. I tried to woo her, but she cut my wordsshort, said I was a noble man, and a worthy suitor but--"

"There came the but. "

"Yes--in the form of a very frank 'no. ' I asked her reasons. She beggedme to be content with the 'no;' then I pressed her harder, till sheinterrupted me, and owned with proud decision that she preferred someone else. I wished to learn the name of the happy man--that she refused. Then my blood began to boil, and my desire to win her increased; but Ihad to leave her, rejected, and with a fresh, burning, poisoned wound inmy heart. "

"You are jealous!" said Katuti, "and do you know of whom?"

"No, " replied Ani. "But I hope to find out through you. What I feel itis impossible for me to express. But one thing I know, and that isthis, that I entered the palace a vacillating man--that I left it firmlyresolved. I now rush straight onwards, never again to turn back. Fromthis time forward you will no longer have to drive me onward, but ratherto hold me back; and, as if the Gods had meant to show that they wouldstand by me, I found the high-priest Ameni, and the chief pioneer Paakerwaiting for me in my house. Ameni will act for me in Egypt, Paaker inSyria. My victorious troops from Ethiopia will enter Thebes to-morrowmorning, on their return home in triumph, as if the king were at theirhead, and will then take part in the Feast of the Valley. Later we willsend them into the north, and post them in the fortresses which protectEgypt against enemies coming from the east Tanis, Daphne, Pelusium, Migdol. Rameses, as you know, requires that we should drill the serfs ofthe temples, and send them to him as auxiliaries. I will send him halfof the body-guard, the other half shall serve my own purposes. Thegarrison of Memphis, which is devoted to Rameses, shall be sent toNubia, and shall be relieved by troops that are faithful to me. Thepeople of Thebes are led by the priests, and tomorrow Ameni will pointout to them who is their legitimate king, who will put an end to the warand release them from taxes. The children of Rameses will be excludedfrom the solemnities, for Ameni, in spite of the chief-priest of Anion, still pronounces Bent-Anat unclean. Young Rameri has been doing wrongand Ameni, who has some other great scheme in his mind, has forbiddenhim the temple of Seti; that will work on the crowd! You know how thingsare going on in Syria: Rameses has suffered much at the hands of theCheta and their allies; whole legions are weary of eternally lyingin the field, and if things came to extremities would join us; but, perhaps, especially if Paaker acquits himself well, we may be victoriouswithout fighting. Above all things now we must act rapidly. "

"I no longer recognize the timid, cautious lover of delay!" exclaimedKatuti. 

"Because now prudent hesitation would be want of prudence, " said Ani. 

"And if the king should get timely information as to what is happeninghere?" said Katuti. 

"I said so!" exclaimed Ani; "we are exchanging parts. "

"You are mistaken, " said Katuti. "I also am for pressing forwards; butI would remind you of a necessary precaution. No letters but yours mustreach the camp for the next few weeks. "

"Once more you and the priests are of one mind, " said Ani laughing; "forAmeni gave me the same counsel. Whatever letters are sent across thefrontier between Pelusium and the Red Sea will be detained. Only myletters--in which I complain of the piratical sons of the desert whofall upon the messengers--will reach the king. "

"That is wise, " said the widow; "let the seaports of the Red Seabe watched too, and the public writers. When you are king, you candistinguish those who are affected for or against you. "

Ani shook his head and replied:

"That would put me in a difficult position; for it I were to punishthose who are now faithful to their king, and exalt the others, I shouldhave to govern with unfaithful servants, and turn away the faithfulones. You need not color, my kind friend, for we are kin, and myconcerns are yours. "

Katuti took the hand he offered her and said:

"It is so. And I ask no further reward than to see my father's houseonce more in the enjoyment of its rights. "

"Perhaps we shall achieve it, " said Ani; "but in a short timeif--if--Reflect, Katuti; try to find out, ask your daughter to help youto the utmost. Who is it that she--you know whom I mean--Who is it thatBent-Anat loves?"

The widow started, for Ani had spoken the last words with a vehemencevery foreign to his usual courtliness, but soon she smiled and repeatedto the Regent the names of the few young nobles who had not followed theking, and remained in Thebes. "Can it be Chamus?" at last she said, "heis at the camp, it is true, but nevertheless--"

At this instant Nemu, who had not lost a word of the conversation, camein as if straight from the garden and said:

"Pardon me, my lady; but I have heard a strange thing. "

"Speak, " said Katuti. 

"The high and mighty princess Bent-Anat, the daughter of Rameses, issaid to have an open love-affair with a young priest of the House ofSeti. "

"You barefaced scoundrel!" exclaimed Ani, and his eyes sparkled withrage. "Prove what you say, or you lose your tongue. "

"I am willing to lose it as a slanderer and traitor according to thelaw, " said the little man abjectly, and yet with a malicious laugh; "butthis time I shall keep it, for I can vouch for what I say. You both knowthat Bent-Anat was pronounced unclean because she stayed for an hour andmore in the house of a paraschites. She had an assignation there withthe priest. At a second, in the temple of Hatasu, they were surprised bySeptah, the chief of the haruspices of the House of Seti. "

"Who is the priest?" asked Ani with apparent calmness. 

"A low-born man, " replied Nemu, "to whom a free education was givenat the House of Seti, and who is well known as a verse-maker andinterpreter of dreams. His name is Pentaur, and it certainly must beadmitted that he is handsome and dignified. He is line for line theimage of the pioneer Paaker's late father. Didst thou ever see him, mylord?"

The Regent looked gloomily at the floor and nodded that he had. ButKatuti cried out; "Fool that I am! the dwarf is right! I saw how sheblushed when her brother told her how the boys had rebelled on hisaccount against Ameni. It is Pentaur and none other!"

"Good!" said Ani, "we will see. "

With these words he took leave of Katuti, who, as he disappeared inthe garden, muttered to herself: "He was wonderfully clear and decidedto-day; but jealousy is already blinding him and will soon make him feelthat he cannot get on without my sharp eyes. "

Nemu had slipped out after the Regent. 

He called to him from behind a fig-tree, and hastily whispered, while hebowed with deep respect:

"My mother knows a great deal, most noble highness! The sacred Ibis

 [Ibis religiosa. It has disappeared from Egypt There were two varieties of this bird, which was sacred to Toth, and mummies of both have been found in various places. Elian states that an immortal Ibis was shown at Hermopolis. Plutarch says, the ibis destroys poisonous reptiles, and that priests draw the water for their purifications where the Ibis has drunk, as it will never touch unwholesome water. ]

wades through the fen when it goes in search of prey, and why shouldstthou not stoop to pick up gold out of the dust? I know how thou couldstspeak with the old woman without being seen. "

"Speak, " said Ani. 

"Throw her into prison for a day, hear what she has to say, and thenrelease her--with gifts if she is of service to you--if not, with blows. But thou wilt learn something important from her that she obstinatelyrefused to tell me even. "

"We will see!" replied the Regent. He threw a ring of gold to the dwarfand got into his chariot. 

So large a crowd had collected in the vicinity of the palace, that Aniapprehended mischief, and ordered his charioteer to check the paceof the horses, and sent a few police-soldiers to the support of theout-runners; but good news seemed to await him, for at the gate of thecastle he heard the unmistakable acclamations of the crowd, and in thepalace court he found a messenger from the temple of Seti, commissionedby Ameni to communicate to him and to the people, the occurrence of agreat miracle, in that the heart of the ram of Anion, that had been tornby wolves, had been found again within the breast of the dead prophetRui. 

Ani at once descended from his chariot, knelt down before all thepeople, who followed his example, lifted his arms to heaven, and praisedthe Gods in a loud voice. When, after some minutes, he rose and enteredthe palace, slaves came out and distributed bread to the crowd inAmeni's name. 

"The Regent has an open hand, " said a joiner to his neighbor; "only lookhow white the bread is. I will put it in my pocket and take it to thechildren. "

"Give me a bit!" cried a naked little scamp, snatching the cake of breadfrom the joiner's hand and running away, slipping between the legs ofthe people as lithe as a snake. 

"You crocodile's brat!" cried his victim. "The insolence of boys getsworse and worse every day. "

"They are hungry, " said the woman apologetically. "Their fathers aregone to the war, and the mothers have nothing for their children butpapyrus-pith and lotus-seeds. "

"I hope they enjoy it, " laughed the joiner. "Let us push to the left;there is a man with some more bread. "

"The Regent must rejoice greatly over the miracle, " said a shoemaker. "It is costing him something. "

"Nothing like it has happened for a long time, " said a basket-maker. "And he is particularly glad it should be precisely Rui's body, whichthe sacred heart should have blessed. You ask why?--Hatasu is Ani'sancestress, blockhead!"

"And Rui was prophet of the temple of Hatasu, " added the joiner. 

"The priests over there are all hangers-on of the old royal house, thatI know, " asserted a baker. 

"That's no secret!" cried the cobbler. "The old times were better thanthese too. The war upsets everything, and quite respectable people gobarefoot because they cannot pay for shoe-leather. Rameses is a greatwarrior, and the son of Ra, but what can he do without the Gods; andthey don't seem to like to stay in Thebes any longer; else why shouldthe heart of the sacred ram seek a new dwelling in the Necropolis, andin the breast of an adherent of the old--"

"Hold your tongue, " warned the basket-maker. "Here comes one of thewatch. "

"I must go back to work, " said the baker. "I have my hands quite fullfor the feast to-morrow. "

"And I too, " said the shoemaker with a sigh, "for who would follow theking of the Gods through the Necropolis barefoot. "

"You must earn a good deal, " cried the basket-maker. "We should dobetter if we had better workmen, " replied the shoemaker, "but allthe good hands are gone to the war. One has to put up with stupidyoungsters. And as for the women! My wife must needs have a new gown forthe procession, and bought necklets for the children. Of course we musthonor the dead, and they repay it often by standing by us when we wantit--but what I pay for sacrifices no one can tell. More than half ofwhat I earn goes in them--"

"In the first grief of losing my poor wife, " said the baker, "I promiseda small offering every new moon, and a greater one every year. Thepriests will not release us from our vows, and times get harder andharder. And my dead wife owes me a grudge, and is as thankless as shewas is her lifetime; for when she appears to me in a dream she does notgive me a good word, and often torments me. "

"She is now a glorified all-seeing spirit, " said the basket-maker'swife, "and no doubt you were faithless to her. The glorified souls knowall that happens, and that has happened on earth. "

The baker cleared his throat, having no answer ready; but the shoemakerexclaimed:

"By Anubis, the lord of the under-world, I hope I may die before my oldwoman! for if she finds out down there all I have done in this world, and if she may be changed into any shape she pleases, she will come tome every night, and nip me like a crab, and sit on me like a mountain. "

"And if you die first, " said the woman, "she will follow you afterwardsto the under-world, and see through you there. "

"That will be less dangerous, " said the shoemaker laughing, "for thenI shall be glorified too, and shall know all about her past life. Thatwill not all be white paper either, and if she throws a shoe at me Iwill fling the last at her. "

"Come home, " said the basket-maker's wife, pulling her husband away. "You are getting no good by hearing this talk. "

The bystanders laughed, and the baker exclaimed:

"It is high time I should be in the Necropolis before it gets dark, andsee to the tables being laid for to-morrow's festival. My trucks areclose to the narrow entrance to the valley. Send your little ones to me, and I will give them something nice. Are you coming over with me?"

"My younger brother is gone over with the goods, " replied the shoemaker. "We have plenty to do still for the customers in Thebes, and here amI standing gossiping. Will the wonderful heart of the sacred ram beexhibited to-morrow do you know?"

"Of course--no doubt, " said the baker, "good-bye, there go my cases!"

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Notwithstanding the advanced hour, hundreds of people were crossing overto the Necropolis at the same time as the baker. They were permittedto linger late on into the evening, under the inspection of the watch, because it was the eve of the great feast, and they had to set out theircounters and awnings, to pitch their tents, and to spread out theirwares; for as soon as the sun rose next day all business traffic wouldbe stopped, none but festal barges might cross from Thebes, or suchboats as ferried over pilgrims--men, women, and children whether nativesor foreigners, who were to take part in the great procession. 

In the halls and work-rooms of the House of Seti there was unusual stir. The great miracle of the wonderful heart had left but a short time forthe preparations for the festival. Here a chorus was being practised, there on the sacred lake a scenic representation was being rehearsed;here the statues of the Gods were being cleaned and dressed, [The dressing and undressing of the holy images was conducted in strict accordance with a prescribed ritual. The inscriptions in the seven sanctuaries of Abydos, published by Alariette, are full of instruction as to these ordinances, which were significant in every detail. ]

and the colors of the sacred emblems were being revived, there thepanther-skins and other parts of the ceremonial vestments of thepriests were being aired and set out; here sceptres, censers and othermetal-vessels were being cleaned, and there the sacred bark which was tobe carried in the procession was being decorated. In the sacred grovesof the temple the school-boys, under the direction of the gardeners, wove garlands and wreaths to decorate the landing-places, the sphinxes, the temple, and the statues of the Gods. Flags were hoisted on thebrass-tipped masts in front of the pylon, and purple sails were spreadto give shadow to the court. 

The inspector of sacrifices was already receiving at a side-door thecattle, corn and fruit, offerings which were brought as tribute tothe House of Seti, by citizens from all parts of the country, on theoccasion of the festival of the Valley, and he was assisted by scribes, who kept an account of all that was brought in by the able-bodiedtemple-servants and laboring serfs. 

Ameni was everywhere: now with the singers, now with the magicians, who were to effect wonderful transformations before the astonishedmultitude; now with the workmen, who were erecting thrones for theRegent, the emissaries from other collegiate foundations--even from sofar as the Delta--and the prophets from Thebes; now with the priests, who were preparing the incense, now with the servants, who were trimmingthe thousand lamps for the illumination at night--in short everywhere;here inciting, there praising. When he had convinced himself that allwas going on well he desired one of the priests to call Pentaur. 

After the departure of the exiled prince Rameri, the young priest hadgone to the work-room of his friend Nebsecht. 

The leech went uneasily from his phials to his cages, and from his cagesback to his flasks. While he told Pentaur of the state he had found hisroom in on his return home, he wandered about in feverish excitement, unable to keep still, now kicking over a bundle of plants, now thumpingdown his fist on the table; his favorite birds were starved to death, his snakes had escaped, and his ape had followed their example, apparently in his fear of them. 

"The brute, the monster!" cried Nebsecht in a rage. "He has thrown overthe jars with the beetles in them, opened the chest of meal that I feedthe birds and insects upon, and rolled about in it; he has thrown myknives, prickers, and forceps, my pins, compasses, and reed pens all outof window; and when I came in he was sitting on the cupboard up there, looking just like a black slave that works night and day in a corn-mill;he had got hold of the roll which contained all my observations on thestructure of animals--the result of years of study-and was looking at itgravely with his head on one side. I wanted to take the book from him, but he fled with the roll, sprang out of window, let himself down tothe edge of the well, and tore and rubbed the manuscript to pieces in arage. I leaped out after him, but he jumped into the bucket, took holdof the chain, and let himself down, grinning at me in mockery, and whenI drew him up again he jumped into the water with the remains of thebook. "

"And the poor wretch is drowned?" asked Pentaur. 

"I fished him up with the bucket, and laid him to dry in the sun; buthe had been tasting all sorts of medicines, and he died at noon. Myobservations are gone! Some of them certainly are still left; however, I must begin again at the beginning. You see apes object as much to mylabors as sages; there lies the beast on the shelf. "

Pentaur had laughed at his friend's story, and then lamented his loss;but now he said anxiously:

"He is lying there on the shelf? But you forget that he ought to havebeen kept in the little oratory of Toth near the library. He belongs tothe sacred dogfaced apes, [The dog faced baboon, Kynokephalos, was sacred to Toth as the Moongod. Mummies of these apes have been found at Thebes and Hermopolis, and they are often represented as reading with much gravity. Statues of them have been found to great quantities, and there is a particularly life-like picture of a Kynokephalos in relief on the left wall of the library of the temple of Isis at Philoe. ]

and all the sacred marks were found upon him. The librarian gave himinto your charge to have his bad eye cured. "

"That was quite well, " answered Nebsecht carelessly. 

"But they will require the uninjured corpse of you, to embalm it, " saidPentaur. 

"Will they?" muttered Nebsecht; and he looked at his friend like a boywho is asked for an apple that has long been eaten. 

"And you have already been doing something with it, " said Pentaur, in atone of friendly vexation. 

The leech nodded. "I have opened him, and examined his heart. '

"You are as much set on hearts as a coquette!" said Pentaur. "What isbecome of the human heart that the old paraschites was to get for you?"

Nebsecht related without reserve what the old man had done for him, andsaid that he had investigated the human heart, and had found nothing init different from what he had discovered in the heart of beasts. 

"But I must see it in connection with the other organs of the humanbody, " cried he; "and my decision is made. I shall leave the Houseof Seti, and ask the kolchytes to take me into their guild. If it isnecessary I will first perform the duties of the lowest paraschites. "

Pentaur pointed out to the leech what a bad exchange he would be making, and at last exclaimed, when Nebsecht eagerly contradicted him, "Thisdissecting of the heart does not please me. You say yourself that youlearned nothing by it. Do you still think it a right thing, a finething--or even useful?"

"I do not trouble myself about it, " replied Nebsecht. "Whether myobservations seem good or evil, right or heinous, useful or useless, Iwant to know how things are, nothing more. "

"And so for mere curiosity, " cried Pentaur, "you would endanger theblissful future of thousands of your fellow-men, take upon yourself themost abject duties, and leave this noble scene of your labors, where weall strive for enlightenment, for inward knowledge and truth. "

The naturalist laughed scornfully; the veins swelled angrily inPentaur's forehead, and his voice took a threatening tone as he asked:

"And do you believe that your finger and your eyes have lighted on thetruth, when the noblest souls have striven in vain for thousandsof years to find it out? You descend beneath the level of humanunderstanding by madly wallowing in the mire; and the more clearly youare convinced that you have seized the truth, the more utterly you areinvolved in the toils of a miserable delusion. "

"If I believed I knew the truth should I so eagerly seek it?" askedNebsecht. "The more I observe and learn, the more deeply I feel my wantof knowledge and power. "

"That sounds modest enough, " said the poet, "but I know the arrogance towhich your labors are leading you. Everything that you see with your owneyes and touch with your own hand, you think infallible, and everythingthat escapes your observation you secretly regard as untrue, and passby with a smile of superiority. But you cannot carry your experimentsbeyond the external world, and you forget that there are things whichlie in a different realm. "

"I know nothing of those things, " answered Nebsecht quietly. 

"But we--the Initiated, " cried Pentaur, "turn our attention to themalso. Thoughts--traditions--as to their conditions and agency haveexisted among us for a thousand years; hundreds of generations of menhave examined these traditions, have approved them, and have handedthem down to us. All our knowledge, it is true, is defective, and yetprophets have been favored with the gift of looking into the future, magic powers have been vouchsafed to mortals. All this is contrary tothe laws of the external world, which are all that you recognize, andyet it can easily be explained if we accept the idea of a higher orderof things. The spirit of the Divinity dwells in each of us, as innature. The natural man can only attain to such knowledge as is commonto all; but it is the divine capacity for serene discernment--whichis omniscience--that works in the seer; it is the divine and unlimitedpower--which is omnipotence--that from time to time enables the magicianto produce supernatural effects!"

"Away with prophets and marvels!" cried Nebsecht. 

"I should have thought, " said Pentaur, "that even the laws of naturewhich you recognize presented the greatest marvels daily to your eyes;nay the Supreme One does not disdain sometimes to break through thecommon order of things, in order to reveal to that portion ofHimself which we call our soul, the sublime Whole of which we formpart--Himself. Only today you have seen how the heart of the sacredram--"

"Man, man!" Nebsecht interrupted, "the sacred heart is the heart of ahapless sheep that a sot of a soldier sold for a trifle to a hagglinggrazier, and that was slaughtered in a common herd. A proscribedparaschites put it into the body of Rui, and--and--" he opened thecupboard, threw the carcase of the ape and some clothes on to the floor, and took out an alabaster bowl which he held before the poet--"themuscles you see here in brine, this machine, once beat in the breastof the prophet Rui. My sheep's heart wilt be carried to-morrow in theprocession! I would have told you all about it if I had not promised theold man to hold my tongue, and then--But what ails you, man?" Pentaurhad turned away from his friend, and covered his face with his hands, and he groaned as if he were suffering some frightful physical pain. Nebsecht divined what was passing in the mind of his friend. Like achild that has to ask forgiveness of its mother for some misdeed, hewent close up to Pentaur, but stood trembling behind him not daring tospeak to him. 

Several minutes passed. Suddenly Pentaur raised his head, lifted hishands to heaven, and cried:

"O Thou! the One!--though stars may fall from the heavens in summernights, still Thy eternal and immutable laws guide the never-restingplanets in their paths. Thou pure and all-prevading Spirit, thatdwellest in me, as I know by my horror of a lie, manifest Thyself inme--as light when I think, as mercy when I act, and when I speak, astruth--always as truth!"

The poet spoke these words with absorbed fervor, and Nebsecht heard themas if they were speech from some distant and beautiful world. He wentaffectionately up to his friend, and eagerly held out his hand. Pentaurgrasped it, pressed it warmly, and said:

"That was a fearful moment! You do not know what Ameni has been to me, and now, now!"

He hardly had ceased speaking when steps were heard approaching thephysician's room, and a young priest requested the friends to appear atonce in the meeting-room of the Initiated. In a few moments they bothentered the great hall, which was brilliantly lighted. 

Not one of the chiefs of the House of Seti was absent. 

Ameni sat on a raised seat at a long table; on his right hand was oldGagabu, on his left the third Prophet of the temple. The principals ofthe different orders of priests had also found places at the table, andamong them the chief of the haruspices, while the rest of the priests, all in snow-white linen robes, sat, with much dignity, in a largesemicircle, two rows deep. In the midst stood a statue of the Goddess oftruth and justice. 

Behind Ameni's throne was the many-colored image of the ibis-headedToth, who presided over the measure and method of things, who counselledthe Gods as well as men, and presided over learning and the arts. In aniche at the farther end of the hall were painted the divine Triadof Thebes, with Rameses I. And his son Seti, who approached them withofferings. The priests were placed with strict regard to their rank, andthe order of initiation. Pentaur's was the lowest place of all. 

No discussion of any importance had as yet taken place, for Ameniwas making enquiries, receiving information, and giving orders withreference to the next day's festival. All seemed to be well arranged, and promised a magnificent solemnity; although the scribes complained ofthe scarce influx of beasts from the peasants, who were so heavilytaxed for the war, and although that feature would be wanting in theprocession which was wont to give it the greatest splendor--the presenceof the king and the royal family. 

This circumstance aroused the disapprobation of some of the priests, whowere of opinion that it would be hazardous to exclude the two childrenof Rameses, who remained in Thebes, from any share in the solemnities ofthe feast. 

Ameni then rose. 

"We have sent the boy Rameri, " he said, "away from this house. Bent-Anatmust be purged of her uncleanness, and if the weak superior of thetemple of Anion absolves her, she may pass for purified over there, where they live for this world only, but not here, where it is our dutyto prepare the soul for death. The Regent, a descendant of the greatdeposed race of kings, will appear in the procession with all thesplendor of his rank. I see you are surprised, my friends. Only he! Aye!Great things are stirring, and it may happen that soon the mild sun ofpeace may rise upon our war-ridden people. "

"Miracles are happening, " he continued, "and in a dream I saw a gentleand pious man on the throne of the earthly vicar of Ra. He listened toour counsel, he gave us our due, and led back to our fields our serfsthat had been sent to the war; he overthrew the altars of the strangegods, and drove the unclean stranger out from this holy land. "

"The Regent Ani!" exclaimed Septah. 

An eager movement stirred the assembly, but Ameni went on:

"Perhaps it was not unlike him, but he certainly was the One; he had thefeatures of the true and legitimate descendants of Ra, to whom Rui wasfaithful, in whose breast the heart of the sacred ram found a refuge. To-morrow this pledge of the divine grace shall be shown to the people, and another mercy will also be announced to them. Hear and praise thedispensations of the Most High! An hour ago I received the news thata new Apis, with all the sacred marks upon him, has been found in theherds of Ani at Hermonthis. "

Fresh excitement was shown by the listening conclave. Ameni let theirastonishment express itself freely, but at last he exclaimed:

"And now to settle the last question. The priest Pentaur, who is nowpresent, has been appointed speaker at the festival to-morrow. He haserred greatly, yet I think we need not judge him till after the holyday, and, in consideration of his former innocence, need not deprive himof the honorable office. Do you share my wishes? Is there no dissentientvoice? Then come forward, you, the youngest of us all, who are so highlytrusted by this holy assembly. "

Pentaur rose and placed himself opposite to Ameni, in order to give, as he was required to do, a broad outline of the speech he proposed todeliver next day to the nobles and the people. 

The whole assembly, even his opponents, listened to him withapprobation. Ameni, too, praised him, but added:

"I miss only one thing on which you must dwell at greater length, andtreat with warmer feeling--I mean the miracle which has stirred oursouls to-day. We must show that the Gods brought the sacred heart--"

"Allow me, " said Pentaur, interrupting the high-priest, and lookingearnestly into those eyes which long since he had sung of--"Allow me toentreat you not to select me to declare this new marvel to the people. "

Astonishment was stamped on the face of every member of the assembly. Each looked at his neighbor, then at Pentaur, and at last enquiringly atAmeni. The superior knew Pentaur, and saw that no mere whimsical fancy, but some serious motive had given rise to this refusal. Horror, almostaversion, had rung in his tone as he said the words 'new marvel. ' Hedoubted the genuineness of this divine manifestation!

Ameni gazed long and enquiringly into Pentaur's eyes, and then said:"You are right, my friend. Before judgment has been passed on you, before you are reinstated in your old position, your lips are not worthyto announce this divine wonder to the multitude. Look into your ownsoul, and teach the devout a horror of sin, and show them the way, whichyou must now tread, of purification of the heart. I myself will announcethe miracle. "

The white-robed audience hailed this decision of their master withsatisfaction. Ameni enjoined this thing on one, on another, that; and onall, perfect silence as to the dream which he had related to them, andthen he dissolved the meeting. He begged only Gagabu and Pentaur toremain. 

As soon as they were alone Ameni asked the poet "Why did you refuse toannounce to the people the miracle, which has filled all the priests ofthe Necropolis with joy?"

"Because thou hast taught me, " replied Pentaur, "that truth is thehighest aim we can have, and that there is nothing higher. "

"I tell you so again now, " said Ameni. "And as you recognize thisdoctrine, I ask you, in the name of the fair daughter of Ra. Do youdoubt the genuineness of the miracle that took place under our veryeyes?"

"I doubt it, " replied Pentaur. 

"Remain on the high stand-point of veracity, " continued Ameni, "andtell us further, that we may learn, what are the scruples that shake thyfaith?"

"I know, " replied the poet with a dark expression, "that the heart whichthe crowd will approach and bow to, before which even the Initiatedprostrate themselves as if it had been the incarnation of Ra, was tornfrom the bleeding carcass of a common sheep, and smuggled into thekanopus which contained the entrails of Rui. "

Ameni drew back a step, and Gagabu cried out "Who says so? Who can proveit? As I grow older I hear more and more frightful things!"

"I know it, " said Pentaur decidedly. "But I can, not reveal the name ofhim from whom I learned it. "

"Then we may believe that you are mistaken, and that some impostor isfooling you. We will enquire who has devised such a trick, and he shallbe punished! To scorn the voice of the Divinity is a sin, and he wholends his ear to a lie is far from the truth. Sacred and thrice sacredis the heart, blind fool, that I purpose to-morrow to show to thepeople, and before which you yourself--if not with good will, then bycompulsion--shall fall, prostrate in the dust. 

"Go now, and reflect on the words with which you will stir the souls ofthe people to-morrow morning; but know one thing--Truth has many forms, and her aspects are as manifold as those of the Godhead. As the sun doesnot travel over a level plain or by a straight path--as the stars followa circuitous course, which we compare with the windings of the snakeMehen, --so the elect, who look out over time and space, and on whom theconduct of human life devolves, are not only permitted, but commanded, to follow indirect ways in order to reach the highest aims, ways thatyou do not understand, and which you may fancy deviate widely from thepath of truth. You look only at to-day, we look forward to the morrow, and what we announce as truth you must needs believe. And mark my words:A lie stains the soul, but doubt eats into it. "

Ameni had spoken with strong excitement; when Pentaur had left the room, and he was alone with Gagabu, he exclaimed:

"What things are these? Who is ruining the innocent child-like spirit ofthis highly favored youth?"

"He is ruining it himself, " replied Gagabu. "He is putting aside the oldlaw, for he feels a new one growing up in his own breast. "

"But the laws, " exclaimed Ameni, "grow and spread like shadowy woods;they are made by no one. I loved the poet, yet I must restrain him, elsehe will break down all barriers, like the Nile when it swells too high. And what he says of the miracle--"

"Did you devise it?"

"By the Holy One--no!" cried Ameni. 

"And yet Pentaur is sincere, and inclined to faith, " said the old mandoubtfully. 

"I know it, " returned Ameni. "It happened as he said. But who did it, and who told him of the shameful deed?"

Both the priests stood thoughtfully gazing at the floor. 

Ameni first broke the silence. 

"Pentaur came in with Nebsecht, " he exclaimed, "and they are intimatefriends. Where was the leech while I was staying in Thebes?"

"He was taking care of the child hurt by Bent-Anat--the child of theparaschites Pinem, and he stayed there three days, " replied Gagabu. 

"And it was Pinem, " said Ameni, "that opened the body of Rui! Now I knowwho has dimmed Pentaur's faith. It was that inquisitive stutterer, and he shall be made to repent of it. For the present let us think ofto-morrow's feast, but the day after I will examine that nice couple, and will act with iron severity. "

"First let us examine the naturalist in private, " said Gagabu. "He isan ornament to the temple, for he has investigated many matters, and hisdexterity is wonderful. "

"All that may be considered Ameni said, interrupting the old enough tothink of at present. "

"And even more to consider later, " retorted Gagabu. "We have entered ona dangerous path. You know very well I am still hot-headed, though I amold in years, and alas! timidity was never my weakness; but Rameses is apowerful man, and duty compels me to ask you: Is it mere hatred for theking that has led you to take these hasty and imprudent steps?"

"I have no hatred for Rameses, " answered Ameni gravely. "If he did notwear the crown I could love him; I know him too, as well as if I werehis brother, and value all that is great in him; nay I will admit thathe is disfigured by no littleness. If I did not know how strong theenemy is, we might try to overthrow him with smaller means. You know aswell as I do that he is our enemy. Not yours, nor mine, nor the enemy ofthe Gods; but the enemy of the old and reverend ordinances by which thispeople and this country must be governed, and above all of those whoare required to protect the wisdom of the fathers, and to point out theright way to the sovereign--I mean the priesthood, whom it is my duty tolead, and for whose rights I will fight with every weapon of the spirit. In this contest, as you know, all that otherwise would be falsehood, treachery, and cunning, puts on the bright aspect of light and truth. As the physician needs the knife and fire to heal the sick, we must dofearful things to save the community when it is in danger. Now you willsee me fight with every weapon, for if we remain idle, we shall sooncease to be the leaders of the state, and become the slaves of theking. "

Gagabu nodded assent, but Ameni went on with increasing warmth, and inthat rhythmical accent in which, when he came out of the holy of holies, he was accustomed to declare the will of the Divinity, "You were myteacher, and I value you, and so you now shall be told everything thatstirred my soul, and made me first resolve upon this fearful struggle. I was, as you know, brought up in this temple with Rameses--and it wasvery wise of Seti to let his son grow up here with other boys. At workand at play the heir to the throne and I won every prize. He was quitemy superior in swift apprehension--in keen perception--but I had greatercaution, and deeper purpose. Often he laughed at my laborious efforts, but his brilliant powers appeared to me a vain delusion. I became one ofthe initiated, he ruled the state in partnership with his father, and, when Seti died, by himself. We both grew older, but the foundationof our characters remained the same. He rushed to splendid victories, overthrew nations, and raised the glory of the Egyptian name to a giddyheight, though stained with the blood of his people; I passed my lifein industry and labor, in teaching the young, and in guarding thelaws which regulate the intercourse of men and bind the people to theDivinity. I compared the present with the past: What were the priests?How had they come to be what they are? What would Egypt be without them?There is not an art, not a science, not a faculty that is not thoughtout, constructed, and practised by us. We crown the kings, we named theGods, and taught the people to honor them as divine--for the crowd needsa hand to lead it, and under which it shall tremble as under the mightyhand of Fate. We are the willing ministers of the divine representativeof Ra on the throne, so long as he rules in accordance with ourinstitutions--as the One God reigns, subject to eternal laws. He used tochoose his counsellors from among us; we told him what would benefit thecountry, he heard us willingly, and executed our plans. The old kingswere the hands, but we, the priests, were the head. And now, my father, what has become of us? We are made use of to keep the people in thefaith, for if they cease to honor the Gods how will they submit tokings? Seti ventured much, his son risks still more, and thereforeboth have required much succor from the Immortals. Rameses is pious, he sacrifices frequently, and loves prayer: we are necessary to him, towaft incense, to slaughter hecatombs, to offer prayers, and to interpretdreams--but we are no longer his advisers. My father, now in Osiris, aworthier high-priest than I, was charged by the Prophets to entreat hisfather to give up the guilty project of connecting the north sea by anavigable channel with the unclean waters of the Red Sea. 

 [The harbors of the Red Sea were in the hands of the Phoenicians, who sailed from thence southwards to enrich themselves with the produce of Arabia and Ophir. Pharaoh Necho also projected a Suez canal, but does not appear to have carried it out, as the oracle declared that the utility of the undertaking would be greatest to foreigners. ]

"Such things can only benefit the Asiatics. But Seti would not listento our counsel. We desired to preserve the old division of the land, butRameses introduced the new to the disadvantage of the priests; we warnedhim against fresh wars, and the king again and again has taken thefield; we had the ancient sacred documents which exempted our peasantryfrom military service, and, as you know, he outrageously defies them. From the most ancient times no one has been permitted to raise templesin this land to strange Gods, and Rameses favors the son of thestranger, and, not only in the north country, but in the reverend cityof Memphis and here in Thebes, he has raised altars and magnificentsanctuaries, in the strangers' quarter, to the sanguinary false Gods ofthe East. "

 [Human sacrifices, which had been introduced into Egypt by the Phoenicians, were very early abolished. ]

"You speak like a Seer, " cried old Gagabu, "and what you say isperfectly true. We are still called priests, but alas! our counsel islittle asked. 'You have to prepare men for a happy lot in the otherworld, ' Rameses once said; 'I alone can guide their destinies in this. '"

"He did say so, " answered Ameni, "and if he had said no more than thathe would have been doomed. He and his house are the enemies of ourrights and of our noble country. Need I tell you from whom the race ofthe Pharaoh is descended? Formerly the hosts who came from the east, andfell on our land like swarms of locusts, robbing and destroying it, werespoken of as 'a curse' and a 'pest. ' Rameses' father was of that race. When Ani's ancestors expelled the Hyksos, the bold chief, whose childrennow govern Egypt, obtained the favor of being allowed to remain onthe banks of the Nile; they served in the armies, they distinguishedthemselves, and, at last, the first Rameses succeeded in gaining thetroops over to himself, and in pushing the old race of the legitimatesons of Ra, weakened as they were by heresy, from the throne. I mustconfess, however unwillingly, that some priests of the true faith--amongthem your grandfather, and mine--supported the daring usurper who clungfaithfully to the old traditions. Not less than a hundred generationsof my ancestors, and of yours, and of many other priestly families, havelived and died here by the banks of the Nile--of Rameses race we haveseen ten, and only know of them that they descend from strangers, fromthe caste of Amu! He is like all the Semitic race; they love towander, they call us ploughmen, --[The word Fellah (pl. Fellahin) meansploughman]--and laugh to scorn the sober regularity with which we, tilling the dark soil, live through our lives to a tardy death, inhonest labor both of mind and body. They sweep round on forayingexcursions, ride the salt waves in ships, and know no loved and fixedhome; they settle down wherever they are tempted by rapine, and whenthere is nothing more to be got they build a house in another spot. Suchwas Seti, such is Rameses! For a year he will stop in Thebes, then hemust set out for wars in strange lands. He does not know how to yieldpiously, or to take advice of wise counsellors, and he will not learn. And such as the father is, so are the children! Think of the criminalbehavior of Bent-Anat!"

"I said the kings liked foreigners. Have you duly considered theimportance of that to us? We strive for high and noble aims, and havewrenched off the shackles of the flesh in order to guard our souls. Thepoorest man lives secure under the shelter of the law, and through usparticipates in the gifts of the spirit; to the rich are offered thepriceless treasures of art and learning. Now look abroad: east and westwandering tribes roam over the desert with wretched tents; in the southa debased populace prays to feathers, and to abject idols, who arebeaten if the worshipper is not satisfied. In the north certainly thereare well regulated states, but the best part of the arts and scienceswhich they possess they owe to us, and their altars still reek with theloathsome sacrifice of human blood. Only backsliding from the right ispossible under the stranger, and therefore it is prudent to withdrawfrom him; therefore he is hateful to our Gods. And Rameses, the king, is a stranger, by blood and by nature, in his affections, and in hisappearance; his thoughts are always abroad--this country is too smallfor him--and he will never perceive what is really best for him, clearas his intellect is. He will listen to no guidance, he does mischief toEgypt, and therefore I say: Down with him from the throne!"

"Down with him!"--Gagabu eagerly echoed the words. Ameni gave the oldman his hand, which trembled with excitement, and went on more calmly. 

"The Regent Ani is a legitimate child of the soil, by his father andmother both. I know him well, and I am sure that though he is cunningindeed, he is full of true veneration, and will righteously establishus in the rights which we have inherited. The choice is easy: I havechosen, and I always carry through what I have once begun! Now you knowall, and you will second me. "

"With body and soul!" cried Gagabu. 

"Strengthen the hearts of the brethren, " said Ameni, preparing to go. "The initiated may all guess what is going on, but it must never bespoken of. "

CHAPTER XXVII. 

The sun was up on the twenty-ninth morning of the second month of theover-flow of the Nile, [The 29th Phaophi. The Egyptians divided the year into three seasons of four months each. Flood-time, seed-time and Harvest. (Scha, per and schemu. ) The 29th Phaophi corresponds to the 8th November. ]

and citizens and their wives, old men and children, freemen and slaves, led by priests, did homage to the rising day-star before the door of thetemple to which the quarter of the town belonged where each one dwelt. 

The Thebans stood together like Huge families before the pylons, waitingfor the processions of priests, which they intended to join in order tomarch in their train round the great temple of the city, and thence tocross with the festal barks to the Necropolis. 

To-day was the Feast of the Valley, and Anion, the great God of Thebes, was carried over in solemn pomp to the City of the Dead, in order thathe--as the priests said--might sacrifice to his fathers in the otherworld. The train marched westward; for there, where the earthly remainsof man also found rest, the millions of suns had disappeared, each ofwhich was succeeded daily by a new one, born of the night. Theyoung luminary, the priests said, did not forget those that had beenextinguished, and from whom he was descended; and Anion paid them thismark of respect to warn the devout not to forget those who were passedaway, and to whom they owed their existence. 

"Bring offerings, " says a pious text, "to thy father and thy motherwho rest in the valley of the tombs; for such gifts are pleasing to theGods, who will receive them as if brought to themselves. Often visit thydead, so that what thou dost for them, thy son may do for thee. "

The Feast of the Valley was a feast of the dead; but it was not amelancholy solemnity, observed with lamentation and wailing; on thecontrary, it was a cheerful festival, devoted to pious and sentimentalmemories of those whom we cease not to love after death, whom we esteemhappy and blest, and of whom we think with affection; to whom too thethrong from Thebes brought offerings, forming groups in the chapel-liketombs, or in front of the graves, to eat and drink. 

Father, mother and children clung together; the house-slaves followedwith provisions, and with torches, which would light up the darkness ofthe tomb and show the way home at night. 

Even the poorest had taken care to secure beforehand a place in one ofthe large boats which conveyed the people across the stream; the bargesof the rich, dressed in the gayest colors, awaited their owners withtheir households, and the children had dreamed all night of the sacredbark of Anion, whose splendor, as their mothers told them, washardly less than that of the golden boat in which the Sun-God and hiscompanions make their daily voyage across the ocean of heaven. The broadlanding place of the temple of Anion was already crowded with priests, the shore with citizens, and the river with boats; already loud musicdrowned the din of the crowds, who thronged and pushed, enveloped inclouds of dust, to reach the boats; the houses and hovels of Thebeswere all empty, and the advent of the God through the temple-gates waseagerly expected; but still the members of the royal family had notappeared, who were wont on this solemn day to go on foot to the greattemple of Anion; and, in the crowd, many a one asked his neighbor whyBent-Anat, the fair daughter of Rameses, lingered so long, and delayedthe starting of the procession. 

The priests had begun their chant within the walls, which debarred theouter world from any glimpse into the bright precincts of the temple;the Regent with his brilliant train had entered the sanctuary; the gateswere thrown open; the youths in their short-aprons, who threw flowersin the path of the God, had come out; clouds of incense announced theapproach of Anion--and still the daughter of Rameses appeared not. 

Many rumors were afloat, most of them contradictory; but one wasaccurate, and confirmed by the temple servants, to the great regret ofthe crowd--Bent-Anat was excluded from the Feast of the Valley. 

She stood on her balcony with her brother Rameri and her friend Nefert, and looked down on the river, and on the approaching God. 

Early in the previous morning Bek-en-Chunsu, the old high-priest of thetemple of Anion had pronounced her clean, but in the evening he hadcome to communicate to her the intelligence that Ameni prohibited herentering the Necropolis before she had obtained the forgiveness of theGods of the West for her offence. 

While still under the ban of uncleanness she had visited the temple ofHathor, and had defiled it by her presence; and the stern Superiorof the City of the Dead was in the right--that Bek-en-Chunsu himselfadmitted--in closing the western shore against her. Bent-Anat then hadrecourse to Ani; but, though he promised to mediate for her, he camelate in the evening to tell her that Ameni was inexorable. The Regent atthe same time, with every appearance of regret, advised her to avoidan open quarrel, and not to defy Ameni's lofty severity, but to remainabsent from the festival. 

Katuti at the same time sent the dwarf to Nefert, to desire her to joinher mother, in taking part in the procession, and in sacrificing in herfather's tomb; but Nefert replied that she neither could nor would leaveher royal friend and mistress. 

Bent-Anat had given leave of absence to the highest members ofher household, and had prayed them to think of her at the splendidsolemnity. 

When, from her balcony, she saw the mob of people and the crowd ofboats, she went back into her room, called Rameri, who was angrilydeclaiming at what he called Ameni's insolence, took his hands in hers, and said:

"We have both done wrong, brother; let us patiently submit to theconsequences of our faults, and conduct ourselves as if our father werewith us. "

"He would tear the panther-skin from the haughty priest's shoulders, "cried Rameri, "if he dared to humiliate you so in his presence;" andtears of rage ran down his smooth cheeks as he spoke. 

"Put anger aside, " said Bent-Anat. "You were still quite little the lasttime my father took part in this festival. "

"Oh! I remember that morning well, " exclaimed Rameri, "and shall neverforget it. "

"So I should think, " said the princess. "Do not leave us, Nefert--youare now my sister. It was a glorious morning; we children were collectedin the great hall of the King, all in festival dresses; he had us calledinto this room, which had been inhabited by my mother, who then hadbeen dead only a few months. He took each of us by the hand, and said heforgave us everything we might have done wrong if only we were sincerelypenitent, and gave us each a kiss on our forehead. Then he beckoned usall to him, and said, as humbly as if he were one of us instead of thegreat king, 'Perhaps I may have done one of you some injustice, or havekept you out of some right; I am not conscious of such a thing, but ifit has occurred I am very sorry'--we all rushed upon him, and wantedto kiss him, but he put us aside smiling, and said, 'Each of you hasenjoyed an equal share of one thing, that you may be sure--I mean yourfather's love; and I see now that you return what I have given you. 'Then he spoke of our mother, and said that even the tenderest fathercould not fill the place of a mother. He drew a lovely picture of theunselfish devotion of the dead mother, and desired us to pray and tosacrifice with him at her resting-place, and to resolve to be worthy ofher; not only in great things but in trifles too, for they make upthe sum of life, as hours make the days, and the years. We elder onesclasped each other's hands, and I never felt happier than in thatmoment, and afterwards by my mother's grave. " Nefert raised her eyesthat were wet with tears. 

"With such a father it must be easy to be good, " she said. 

"Did your mother never speak good words that went to your heart on themorning of this festival?" asked Bent-Anat. 

Nefert colored, and answered: "We were always late in dressing, and thenhad to hurry to be at the temple in time. "

"Then let me be your mother to-day, " cried the princess, "and yours too, Rameri. Do you not remember how my father offered forgiveness to theofficers of the court, and to all the servants, and how he enjoined usto root out every grudge from our hearts on this day? 'Only stainlessgarments, ' he said, 'befit this feast; only hearts without spot. ' So, brother, I will not hear an evil word about Ameni, who is most likelyforced to be severe by the law; my father will enquire into it all anddecide. My heart is so full, it must overflow. Come, Nefert, give me akiss, and you too, Rameri. Now I will go into my little temple, inwhich the images of our ancestors stand, and think of my mother and theblessed spirits of those loved ones to whom I may not sacrifice to-day. "

"I will go with you, " said Rameri. 

"You, Nefert--stay here, " said Bent-Anat, "and cut as many flowers asyou like; take the best and finest, and make a wreath, and when it isready we will send a messenger across to lay it, with other gifts, onthe grave of your Mena's mother. "

When, half-an-hour later, the brother and sister returned to the youngwife, two graceful garlands hung in Nefert's bands, one for the grave ofthe dead queen, and one for Mena's mother. 

"I will carry over the wreaths, and lay them in the tombs, " cried theprince. 

"Ani thought it would be better that we should not show ourselves to thepeople, " said his sister. "They will scarcely notice that you are notamong the school-boys, but--"

"But I will not go over as the king's son, but as a gardener's boy--"interrupted the prince. "Listen to the flourish of trumpets! the God hasnow passed through the gates. "

Rameri stepped out into the balcony, and the two women followed him, andlooked down on the scene of the embarkation which they could easily seewith their sharp young eyes. 

"It will be a thinner and poorer procession without either my father orus, that is one comfort, " said Rameri. "The chorus is magnificent; herecome the plume-bearers and singers; there is the chief prophet at thegreat temple, old Bek-en-Chunsu. How dignified he looks, but he will notlike going. Now the God is coming, for I, smell the incense. "

With these words the prince fell on his knees, and the women followedhis example--when they saw first a noble bull in whose shining skin thesun was reflected, and who bore between his horns a golden disk, abovewhich stood white ostrich-feathers; and then, divided from the bull onlyby a few fan-bearers, the God himself, sometimes visible, but more oftenhidden from sight by great semi-circular screens of black and whiteostrich-feathers, which were fixed on long poles, and with which thepriests shaded the God. 

His mode of progress was as mysterious as his name, for he seemed tofloat slowly on his gorgeous throne from the temple-gates towards thestream. His seat was placed on a platform, magnificently decorated withbunches and garlands of flowers, and covered with hangings of purple andgold brocade, which concealed the priests who bore it along with a slowand even pace. 

As soon as the God had been placed on board his barge, Bent-Anat and hercompanions rose from their knees. 

Then came some priests, who carried a box with the sacred evergreen treeof Amon; and when a fresh outburst of music fell on her ear, and a cloudof incense was wafted up to her, Bent-Anat said: "Now my father shouldbe coming. "

"And you, " cried Rameri, "and close behind, Nefert's husband, Mena, with the guards. Uncle Ani comes on foot. How strangely he has dressedhimself like a sphinx hind-part before!"

"How so?" asked Nefert. 

"A sphinx, " said Rameri laughing, it has the body of a lion, and thehead of a man, [There were no female sphinxes in Egypt. The sphinx was called Neb, i. E. , the lord. The lion-couchant had either a man's or a rams head. ]

and my uncle has a peaceful priest's robe, and on his head the helmet ofa warrior. "

"If the king were here, the distributor of life, " said Nefert, "youwould not be missing from among his supporters. "

"No indeed!" replied the prince, "and the whole thing is altogetherdifferent when my father is here. His heroic form is splendid on hisgolden throne; the statues of Truth and justice spread their wingsbehind him as if to protect him; his mighty representative in fight, thelion, lies peacefully before him, and over him spreads the canopy withthe Urmus snake at the top. There is hardly any end to the haruspices, the pastophori with the standards, the images of the Gods, and theflocks and herds for sacrifice. Only think, even the North has sentrepresentatives to the feast, as if my father were here. I know all thedifferent signs on the standards. Do you recognize the images of theking's ancestors, Nefert? No? no more do I; but it seemed to me thatAhmes I. , who expelled the Hyksos--from whom our grandmother wasdescended--headed the procession, and not my grandfather Seti, as heshould have done. Here come the soldiers; they are the legions which Aniequipped, and who returned victorious from Ethiopia only last night. How the people cheer them! and indeed they have behaved valiantly. Onlythink, Bent-Anat and Nefert, what it will be when my father comes home, with a hundred captive princes, who will humbly follow his chariot, which your Mena will drive, with our brothers and all the nobles of theland, and the guards in their splendid chariots. "

"They do not think of returning yet!" sighed Nefert. While more and moretroops of the Regent's soldiers, more companies of musicians, and rareanimals, followed in procession, the festal bark of Amon started fromthe shore. 

It was a large and gorgeous barge of wood, polished all over andoverlaid with gold, and its edge was decorated with glitteringglass-beads, which imitated rubies and emeralds; the masts and yardswere gilt, and purple sails floated from them. The seats for the priestswere of ivory, and garlands of lilies and roses hung round the vessel, from its masts and ropes. 

The Regent's Nile-boat was not less splendid; the wood-work shonewith gilding, the cabin was furnished with gay Babylonian carpets; alion's-head formed the prow, as formerly in Hatasu's sea-going vessels, and two large rubies shone in it, for eyes. After the priests hadembarked, and the sacred barge had reached the opposite shore, thepeople pressed into the boats, which, filled almost to sinking, soonso covered the whole breadth of the river that there was hardly a spotwhere the sun was mirrored in the yellow waters. 

"Now I will put on the dress of a gardener, " cried Rameri, "and crossover with the wreaths. "

"You will leave us alone?" asked Bent-Anat. 

"Do not make me anxious, " said Rameri. 

"Go then, " said the princess. "If my father were here how willingly Iwould go too. "

"Come with me, " cried the boy. "We can easily find a disguise for youtoo. "

"Folly!" said Bent-Anat; but she looked enquiringly at Nefert, whoshrugged her shoulders, as much as to say: "Your will is my law. "

Rameri was too sharp for the glances of the friends to have escaped him, and he exclaimed eagerly:

"You will come with me, I see you will! Every beggar to-day flings hisflower into the common grave, which contains the black mummy of hisfather--and shall the daughter of Rameses, and the wife of the chiefcharioteer, be excluded from bringing garlands to their dead?"

"I shall defile the tomb by my presence, " said Bent-Anat coloring. 

"You--you!" exclaimed Rameri, throwing his arms round his sister's neck, and kissing her. "You, a noble generous creature, who live only toease sorrow and to wipe away tears; you, the very image of myfather--unclean! sooner would I believe that the swans down there areas black as crows, and the rose-wreaths on the balcony rank hemlockbranches. Bek-en-Chunsu pronounced you clean, and if Ameni--"

"Ameni only exercises his rights, " said Bent-Anat gently, "and you knowwhat we have resolved. I will not hear one hard word about him to-day. "

"Very well! he has graciously and mercifully kept us from the feast, "said Rameri ironically, and he bowed low in the direction of theNecropolis, "and you are unclean. Do not enter the tombs and the templeson my account; let us stay outside among the people. The roads overthere are not so very sensitive; paraschites and other unclean folkspass over them every day. Be sensible, Bent-Anat, and come. We willdisguise ourselves; I will conduct you; I will lay the garlands in thetombs, we will pray together outside, we will see the sacred processionand the feats of the magicians, and hear the festive discourse. Onlythink! Pentaur, in spite of all they have said against him, is todeliver it. The temple of Seti wants to do its best to-day, and Ameniknows very well that Pentaur, when he opens his mouth, stirs the heartsof the people more than all the sages together if they were to sing inchorus! Come with me, sister. "

"So be it then, " said Bent-Anat with sudden decision. 

Rameri was surprised at this quick resolve, at which however he wasdelighted; but Nefert looked anxiously at her friend. In a momenther eyes fell; she knew now who it was that her friend loved, and thefearful thought--"How will it end?" flashed through her mind. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

An hour later a tall, plainly dressed woman crossed the Nile, with adark-skinned boy and a slender youth by her side. The wrinkles on herbrow and cheeks agreed little with her youthful features; but it wouldhave been difficult to recognize in these three the proud princess, thefair young prince, and the graceful Nefert, who looked as charming asever in the long white robe of a temple-student. 

They were followed by two faithful and sturdy head-servants from amongthe litter-bearers of the princess, who were however commanded to appearas though they were not in any way connected with their mistress and hercompanions. 

The passage across the Nile had been accomplished but slowly, and thusthe royal personages had experienced for the first time some of the manydifficulties and delays which ordinary mortals must conquer to attainobjects which almost fly to meet their rulers. No one preceded them toclear the river, no other vessel made way for them; on the contrary, all tried to take place ahead of them, and to reach the opposite shorebefore them. 

When at last they reached the landing-place, the procession had alreadypassed on to the temple of Seti; Ameni had met it with his chorus ofsingers, and had received the God on the shore of the Nile; the prophetsof the Necropolis had with their own hands placed him in the sacredSam-bark of the House of Seti, which was artistically constructed ofcedar wood and electrum set with jewels; thirty pastophori took theprecious burden on their shoulders, and bore it up the avenue ofSphinxes--which led from the river to the temple--into the sanctuaryof Seti, where Amon remained while the emissaries from the differentprovinces deposited their offerings in the forecourt. On his road fromthe shore kolchytes had run before him, in accordance with ancientcustom, strewing sand in his path. 

In the course of an hour the procession once more emerged into the openair, and turning to the south, rested first in the enormous templeof Anienophis III. , in front of which the two giant statues stood assentinels--they still remain, the colossi of the Nile valley. Fartherto the south it reached the temple of Thotmes the Great, then, turninground, it clung to the eastern face of the Libyan hills--pierced withtombs and catacombs; it mounted the terraces of the temple of Hatasu, and paused by the tombs of the oldest kings which are in the immediateneighborhood; thus by sunset it had reached the scene of the festivalitself, at the entrance of the valley in which the tomb of Setitt hadbeen made, and in whose westernmost recesses were some of the graves ofthe Pharaohs of the deposed race. 

This part of the Necropolis was usually visited by lamp-light, and underthe flare of torches, before the return of the God to his own temple andthe mystery-play on the sacred lake, which did not begin till midnight. 

Behind the God, in a vase of transparent crystal, and borne high on apole that all the multitude might see it, was the heart of the sacredram. 

Our friends, after they had laid their wreaths on the magnificent altarsof their royal ancestors without being recognized, late in the afternoonjoined the throng who followed the procession. They mounted the easterncliff of the hills close by the tomb of Mena's forefathers, whicha prophet of Amon, named Neferhotep--Mena's great-grandfather--hadconstructed. Its narrow doorway was besieged by a crowd, for within thefirst of the rock-chambers of which it consisted, a harper was singinga dirge for the long-since buried prophet, his wife and his sister. Thesong had been composed by the poet attached to his house; it was gravenin the stone of the second rock-room of the tomb, and Neferhotep hadleft a plot of ground in trust to the Necropolis, with the charge ofadministering its revenues for the payment of a minstrel, who every-yearat the feast of the dead should sing the monody to the accompaniment ofhis lute. 

 [The tomb of Neferhotep is well preserved, and in it the inscription from which the monody is translated. ]

The charioteer well knew this dirge for his ancestor, and had often sungit to Nefert, who had accompanied him on her lute; for in their hoursof joy also--nay especially--the Egyptians were wont to remember theirdead. 

Now the three companions listened to the minstrel as he sang:

 "Now the great man is at rest, Gone to practise sweeter duties. Those that die are the elect Since the Gods have left the earth. Old men pass and young men come; Yea, a new Sun rises daily When the old sun has found rest In the bosom of the night. 

 "Hail, O Prophet! on this feast day Odorous balsams, fragrant resins Here we bring--and offer garlands, Throwing flowers down before thee, And before thy much-loved sister, Who has found her rest beside thee. 

 "Songs we sing, and strike the lyre To thy memory, and thine honor. All our cares are now forgotten, Joy and hope our breasts are filling; For the day of our departure Now draws near, and in the silence Of the farther shore is rest. "

When the song ceased, several people pressed into the little oratory toexpress their gratitude to the deceased prophet by laying a few flowerson his altar. Nefert and Rameri also went in, and when Nefert hadoffered a long and silent prayer to the glorified spirits of her dead, that they might watch over Mena, she laid her garland beside the gravein which her husband's mother rested. 

Many members of the court circle passed close to the royal party withoutrecognizing them; they made every effort to reach the scene of thefestival, but the crowd was so great that the ladies had several timesto get into a tomb to avoid it. In each they found the altar loaded withofferings, and, in most, family-parties, who here remembered theirdead, with meat and fruits, beer and wine, as though they were departedtravellers who had found some far off rest, and whom they hoped sooneror later to see again. 

The sun was near setting when at last the princess and her companionsreached the spot where the feast was being held. Here stood numbers ofstalls and booths, with eatables of every sort, particularly sweet cakesfor the children, dates, figs, pomegranates, and other fruits. Underlight awnings, which kept off the sun, were sold sandals and kerchiefsof every material and hue, ornaments, amulets, fans, and sun-shades, sweet essences of every kind, and other gifts for offerings or forthe toilet. The baskets of the gardeners and flower-girls were alreadyempty, but the money-changers were full of business, and the tavern andgambling booths were driving a brisk trade. 

Friends and acquaintances greeted each other kindly, while the childrenshowed each other their new sandals, the cakes they had won at thegames, or the little copper rings they had had given to them, andwhich must now be laid out. The largest crowd was gathered to see themagicians from the House of Seti, round which the mob squatted on theground in a compact circle, and the children were good-naturedly placedin the front row. 

When Bent-Anat reached the place all the religious solemnity was ended. 

There stood the canopy under which the king and his family were usedto listen to the festal discourse, and under its shade sat to-daythe Regent Ani. They could see too the seats of the grandees, andthe barriers which kept the people at a distance from the Regent, thepriests, and the nobles. 

Here Ameni himself had announced to the multitude the miracle of thesacred heart, and had proclaimed that a new Apis had been found amongthe herds of the Regent Ani. 

His announcement of these divine tokens had been repeated from mouth tomouth; they were omens of peace and happiness for the country throughthe means of a favorite of the Gods; and though no one said it, thedullest could not fail to see that this favorite was none other thanAni, the descendant of the great Hatasu, whose prophet had been gracedby the transfer to him of the heart of the sacred rain. All eyes werefixed on Ani, who had sacrificed before all the people to the sacredheart, and received the high-priest's blessing. 

Pentaur, too, had ended his discourse when Bent-Anat reached the sceneof the festival. She heard an old man say to his son:

"Life is hard. It often seems to me like a heavy burden laid on ourpoor backs by the cruel Gods; but when I heard the young priest from theHouse of Seti, I felt that, after all, the Immortals are good, and wehave much to thank them for. "

In another place a priest's wife said to her son:

"Could you see Pentaur well, Hor-Uza? He is of humble birth, but hestands above the greatest in genius and gifts, and will rise to highthings. "

Two girls were speaking together, and one said to the other:

"The speaker is the handsomest man I ever saw, and his voice sounds likesoft music. "

"And how his eyes shone when he spoke of truth as the highest of allvirtues!" replied the other. "All the Gods, I believe, must dwell inhim. "

Bent-Anat colored as these words fell on her ear. It was growing dark, and she wished to return home but Rameri wished to follow the processionas it marched through the western valley by torch-light, so that thegrave of his grandfather Seti should also be visited. The princessunwillingly yielded, but it would in any case have been difficult toreach the river while every one was rushing in the opposite direction;so the two ladies, and Rameri, let themselves be carried along by thecrowd, and by the time the daylight was gone, they found themselvesin the western valley, where to-night no beasts of prey dared showthemselves; jackals and hyenas had fled before the glare of the torches, and the lanterns made of colored papyrus. 

The smoke of the torches mingled with the dust stirred by a thousandfeet, and the procession moved along, as it were, in a cloud, which alsoshrouded the multitude that followed. 

The three companions had labored on as far as the hovel of theparaschites Pinem, but here they were forced to pause, for guardsdrove back the crowd to the right and left with long staves, to clear apassage for the procession as it approached. 

"See, Rameri, " said Bent-Anat, pointing out the little yard of the hutwhich stood only a few paces from them. "That is where the fair, whitegirl lives, whom I ran over. But she is much better. Turn round; there, behind the thorn-hedge, by the little fire which shines full in your(her? D. W. ) face--there she sits, with her grandfather. "

The prince stood on tip-toe, looked into the humble plot of ground, andthen said in a subdued voice "What a lovely creature! But what is shedoing with the old man? He seems to be praying, and she first holdsa handkerchief before his mouth, and then rubs his temples. And howunhappy she looks!"

"The paraschites must be ill, " replied Bent-Anat. "He must have had toomuch wine down at the feast, " said Rameri laughing. "No doubt of it!Only look how his lips tremble, and his eyes roll. It is hideous--helooks like one possessed. "

 [It was thought that the insane were possessed by demons. A stele admirably treated by F. De Rouge exists at Paris, which relates that the sister-in law of Rameses III. , who was possessed by devils, had them driven out by the statue of Chunsu, which was sent to her in Asia. ]

"He is unclean too!" said Nefert. 

"But he is a good, kind man, with a tender heart, " exclaimed theprincess eagerly. "I have enquired about him. He is honest and sober, and I am sure he is ill and not drunk. "

"Now she is standing up, " said Rameri, and he dropped the paper-lanternwhich he had bought at a booth. "Step back, Bent-Anat, she must beexpecting some one. Did you ever see any one so very fair, and with sucha pretty little head. Even her red hair becomes her wonderfully; butshe staggers as she stands--she must be very weak. Now she has sat downagain by the old man, and is rubbing his forehead. Poor souls! look howshe is sobbing. I will throw my purse over to them. "

"No, no!" exclaimed Bent-Anat. "I gave them plenty of money, and thetears which are shed there cannot be staunched with gold. I will sendold Asnath over to-morrow to ask how we can help them. Look, here comesthe procession, Nefert. How rudely the people press! As soon as the Godis gone by we will go home. "

"Pray do, " said Nefert. "I am so frightened!" and she pressed tremblingto the side of the princess. 

"I wish we were at home, too, " replied Bent-Anat. 

"Only look!" said Rameri. "There they are. Is it not splendid? And howthe heart shines, as if it were a star!"

All the crowd, and with them our three friends, fell on their knees. 

The procession paused opposite to them, as it did at every thousandpaces; a herald came forward, and glorified, in a loud voice, the greatmiracle, to which now another was added--the sacred heart since thenight had come on had begun to give out light. 

Since his return home from the embalming house, the paraschites hadtaken no nourishment, and had not answered a word to the anxiousquestions of the two frightened women. He stared blindly, muttered a fewunintelligible words, and often clasped his forehead in his hand. A fewhours before he had laughed loud and suddenly, and his wife, greatlyalarmed, had gone at once to fetch the physician Nebsecht. 

During her absence Uarda was to rub her grandfather's temples with theleaves which the witch Hekt had laid on her bruises, for as they hadonce proved efficacious they might perhaps a second time scare away thedemon of sickness. 

When the procession, with its thousand lamps and torches, paused beforethe hovel, which was almost invisible in the dusk, and one citizen saidto another: "Here comes the sacred heart!" the old man started, andstood up. His eyes stared fixedly at the gleaming relic in its crystalcase; slowly, trembling in every limb, and with outstretched neck hestood up. 

The herald began his eulogy of the miracle. 

Then, while all the people were prostrate in adoration, listeningmotionless to the loud voice of the speaker, the paraschites rushedout of his gate, striking his forehead with his fists, and opposite thesacred heart, he broke out into a mad, loud fit of scornful laughter, which re-echoed from the bare cliffs that closed in the valley. 

Horror full on the crowd, who rose timidly from their knees. 

Ameni, who too, was close behind the heart, started too and looked roundon the author of this hideous laugh. He had never seen the paraschites, but he perceived the glimmer of his little fire through the dust andgloom, and he knew that he lived in this place. The whole case struckhim at once; he whispered a few significant words to one of the officerswho marched with the troops on each side of the procession; then he gavethe signal, and the procession moved on as if nothing had happened. 

The old man tried with still more loud and crazy laughter to reach andseize the heart, but the crowd kept him back; and while the last groupspassed on after the priests, he contrived to slip back as far as thedoor of his hovel, though much damaged and hurt. 

There he fell, and Uarda rushed out and threw herself over the old man, who lay on the earth, scarcely recognizable in the dust and darkness. 

"Crush the scoffer!"

"Tear him in pieces!"

"Burn down the foul den!"

"Throw him and the wench into the fire!" shouted the people who had beendisturbed in their devotions, with wild fury. 

Two old women snatched the lanterns froth the posts, and flung them atthe unfortunate creatures, while an Ethiopian soldier seized Uarda bythe hair, and tore her away from her grandfather. 

At this moment Pinem's wife appeared, and with her Pentaur. She hadfound not Nebsecht, but Pentaur, who had returned to the temple afterhis speech. She had told him of the demon who had fallen upon herhusband, and implored him to come with her. Pentaur immediately followedher in his working dress, just as he was, without putting on the whitepriest's robe, which he did not wish to wear on this expedition. 

When they drew near to the paraschites' hovel, he perceived the tumultamong the people, and, loud above all the noise, heard Uarda's shrillcry of terror. He hurried forward, and in the dull light of thescattered fire-brands and colored lanterns, he saw the black hand of thesoldier clutching the hair of the helpless child; quick as thought hegripped the soldier's throat with his iron fingers, seized him round thebody, swung him in the air, and flung him like a block of stone rightinto the little yard of the hut. 

The people threw themselves on the champion in a frenzy of rage, but hefelt a sudden warlike impulse surging up in him, which he had neverfelt before. With one wrench he pulled out the heavy wooden pole, whichsupported the awning which the old paraschites had put up for his sickgrandchild; he swung it round his head, as if it were a reed, drivingback the crowd, while he called to Uarda to keep close to him. 

"He who touches the child is a dead man!" he cried. "Shame onyou!--falling on a feeble old man and a helpless child in the middle ofa holy festival!"

For a moment the crowd was silent, but immediately after rushed forwardwith fresh impetus, and wilder than ever rose the shouts of:

"Tear him to pieces! burn his house down!"

A few artisans from Thebes closed round the poet, who was notrecognizable as a priest. He, however, wielding his tent-pole, felledthem before they could reach him with their fists or cudgels, and downwent every man on whom it fell. But the struggle could not last long, for some of his assailants sprang over the fence, and attacked him inthe rear. And now Pentaur was distinctly visible against a background offlaring light, for some fire-brands had fallen on the dry palm-thatch ofthe hovel behind him, and roaring flames rose up to the dark heavens. 

The poet heard the threatening blaze behind him. He put his left handround the head of the trembling girl, who crouched beside him, andfeeling that now they both were lost, but that to his latest breath hemust protect the innocence and life of this frail creature, with hisright hand he once more desperately swung the heavy stake. 

But it was for the last time; for two men succeeded in clutching theweapon, others came to their support, and wrenched it from his hand, while the mob closed upon him, furious but unarmed, and not withoutgreat fear of the enormous strength of their opponent. 

Uarda clung to her protector with shortened breath, and trembling likea hunted antelope. Pentaur groaned when he felt himself disarmed, butat that instant a youth stood by his side, as if he had sprung from theearth, who put into his hand the sword of the fallen soldier--who laynear his feet--and who then, leaning his back against Pentaur's, facedthe foe on the other side. Pentaur pulled himself together, sent out abattle-cry like some fighting hero who is defending his last stronghold, and brandished his new weapon. He stood with flaming eyes, like a lionat bay, and for a moment the enemy gave way, for his young ally Rameri, had taken a hatchet, and held it up in a threatening manner. 

"The cowardly murderers are flinging fire-brands, " cried the prince. "Come here, girl, and I will put out the pitch on your dress. "

He seized Uarda's hand, drew her to him, and hastily put out the flame, while Pentaur protected them with his sword. 

The prince and the poet stood thus back to back for a few moments, whena stone struck Pentaur's head; he staggered, and the crowd were rushingupon him, when the little fence was torn away by a determined hand, a tall womanly form appeared on the scene of combat, and cried to theastonished mob:

"Have done with this! I command you! I am Bent-Anat, the daughter ofRameses. "

The angry crowd gave way in sheer astonishment. Pentaur had recoveredfrom the stunning blow, but he thought he must be under some illusion. He felt as if he must throw himself on his knees before Bent-Anat, buthis mind had been trained under Ameni to rapid reflection; he realized, in a flash of thought, the princess's position, and instead of bowingbefore her he exclaimed:

"Whoever this woman may be, good folks, she is not Bent-Anat theprincess, but I, though I have no white robe on, am a priest of Seti, named Pentaur, and the Cherheb of to-day's festival. Leave this spot, woman, I command you, in right of my sacred office. "

And Bent-Anat obeyed. 

Pentaur was saved; for just as the people began to recover from theirastonishment just as those whom he had hurt were once more inciting themob to fight just as a boy, whose hand he had crushed, was crying out:"He is not a priest, he is a sword's-man. Down with the liar!"

A voice from the crowd exclaimed:

"Make way for my white robe, and leave the preacher Pentaur alone, he ismy friend. You most of you know me. "

"You are Nebsecht the leech, who set my broken leg, " cried a sailor. 

"And cured my bad eye, " said a weaver. 

"That tall handsome man is Pentaur, I know him well, " cried the girl, whose opinion had been overheard by Bent-Anat. 

"Preacher this, preacher that!" shouted the boy, and he would haverushed forward, but the people held him back, and divided respectfullyat Nebsecht's command to make way for him to get at those who had beenhurt. 

First he stooped over the old paraschites. 

"Shame upon you!" he exclaimed. --"You have killed the old man. "

"And I, " said Pentaur, "Have dipped my peaceful hand in blood to savehis innocent and suffering grandchild from a like fate. "

"Scorpions, vipers, venomous reptiles, scum of men!" shrieked Nebsecht, and he sprang wildly forward, seeking Uarda. When he saw her sittingsafe at the feet of old Hekt, who had made her way into the courtyard, he drew a deep breath of relief, and turned his attention to thewounded. 

"Did you knock down all that are lying here?" he whispered to hisfriend. 

Pentaur nodded assent and smiled; but not in triumph, rather in shame;like a boy, who has unintentionally squeezed to death in his hand a birdhe has caught. 

Nebsecht looked round astonished and anxious. "Why did you not say whoyou were?" he asked. "Because the spirit of the God Menth possessed me, "answered Pentaur. "When I saw that accursed villain there with his handin the girl's hair, I heard and saw nothing, I--"

"You did right, " interrupted Nebsecht. "But where will all this end?"

At this moment a flourish of trumpets rang through the little valley. The officer sent by Ameni to apprehend the paraschites came up with hissoldiers. 

Before he entered the court-yard he ordered the crowd to disperse; therefractory were driven away by force, and in a few minutes the valleywas cleared of the howling and shouting mob, and the burning house wassurrounded by soldiers. Bent-Anat, Rameri, and Nefert were obliged toquit their places by the fence; Rameri, so soon as he saw that Uarda wassafe, had rejoined his sister. 

Nefert was almost fainting with fear and excitement. The two servants, who had kept near them, knit their hands together, and thus carriedher in advance of the princess. Not one of them spoke a word, not evenRameri, who could not forget Uarda, and the look of gratitude she bidsent after him. Once only Bent-Anat said:

"The hovel is burnt down. Where will the poor souls sleep to-night?"

When the valley was clear, the officer entered the yard, and foundthere, besides Uarda and the witch Hekt, the poet, and Nebsecht, who wasengaged in tending the wounded. 

Pentaur shortly narrated the affair to the captain, and named himself tohim. 

The soldier offered him his hand. 

"If there were many men in Rameses' army, " said he, "who could strikesuch a blow as you, the war with the Cheta would soon be at an end. Butyou have struck down, not Asiatics, but citizens of Thebes, and, much asI regret it, I must take you as a prisoner to Ameni. "

"You only do your duty, " replied Pentaur, bowing to the captain, whoordered his men to take up the body of the paraschites, and to bear itto the temple of Seti. 

"I ought to take the girl in charge too, " he added, turning to Pentaur. 

"She is ill, " replied the poet. 

"And if she does not get some rest, " added Nebsecht, "she will be dead. Leave her alone; she is under the particular protection of the princessBent-Anat, who ran over her not long ago. "

"I will take her into my house, " said Hekt, "and will take care of her. Her grandmother is lying there; she was half choked by the flames, butshe will soon come to herself--and I have room for both. "

"Till to-morrow, " replied the surgeon. "Then I will provide anothershelter for her. "

The old woman laughed and muttered: "There are plenty of folks to takecare of her, it seems. "

The soldiers obeyed the command of their leader, took up the wounded, and went away with Pentaur, and the body of Pinem. 

Meanwhile, Bent-Anat and her party had with much difficulty reachedthe river-bank. One of the bearers was sent to find the boat which waswaiting for them, and he was enjoined to make haste, for already theycould see the approach of the procession, which escorted the God on hisreturn journey. If they could not succeed in finding their boat withoutdelay, they must wait at least an hour, for, at night, not a boatthat did not belong to the train of Amon--not even the barge of anoble--might venture from shore till the whole procession was safeacross. 

They awaited the messenger's signal in the greatest anxiety, for Nefertwas perfectly exhausted, and Bent-Anat, on whom she leaned, felt hertrembling in every limb. 

At last the bearer gave the signal; the swift, almost invisible bark, which was generally used for wild fowl shooting, shot by--Rameri seizedone end of an oar that the rower held out to him, and drew the littleboat up to the landing-place. 

The captain of the watch passed at the same moment, and shouting out, "This is the last boat that can put off before the passage of the God!"

Bent-Anat descended the steps as quickly as Nefert's exhausted statepermitted. The landing-place was now only dimly lighted by dulllanterns, though, when the God embarked, it would be as light as daywith cressets and torches. Before she could reach the bottom step, withNefert still clinging heavily to her arm, a hard hand was laid on hershoulder, and the rough voice of Paaker exclaimed:

"Stand back, you rabble! We are going first. " The captain of the watchdid not stop him, for he knew the chief pioneer and his overbearingways. Paaker put his finger to his lips, and gave a shrill whistle thatsounded like a yell in the silence. 

The stroke of oars responded to the call, and Paaker called out to hisboatmen:

"Bring the boat up here! these people can wait!" The pioneer's boat waslarger and better manned than that of the princess. 

"Jump into the boat!" cried Rameri. 

Bent-Anat went forward without speaking, for she did not wish to makeherself known again for the sake of the people, and for Nefert's; butPaaker put himself in her way. 

"Did I not tell you that you common people must wait till we are gone. Push these people's boat out into the stream, you men. "

Bent-Anat felt her blood chill, for a loud squabble at once began on thelanding-steps. 

Rameri's voice sounded louder than all the rest; but the pioneerexclaimed:

"The low brutes dare to resist? I will teach them manners! Here, Descher, look after the woman and these boys!"

At his call his great red hound barked and sprang forward, which, as ithad belonged to his father, always accompanied him when he went with hismother to visit the ancestral tomb. Nefert shrieked with fright, butthe dog at once knew her, and crouched against her with whines ofrecognition. 

Paaker, who had gone down to his boat, turned round in astonishment, and saw his dog fawning at the feet of a boy whom he could not possiblyrecognize as Nefert; he sprang back, and cried out:

"I will teach you, you young scoundrel, to spoil my dog with spells--orpoison!"

He raised his whip, and struck it across the shoulders of Nefert, who, with one scream of terror and anguish, fell to the ground. 

The lash of the whip only whistled close by the cheek of the poorfainting woman, for Bent-Anat had seized Paaker's arm with all hermight. 

Rage, disgust, and scorn stopped her utterance; but Rameri had heardNefert's shriek, and in two steps stood by the women. 

"Cowardly scoundrel!" he cried, and lifted the oar in his hand. Paakerevaded the blow, and called to the dog with a peculiar hiss:

"Pull him down, Descher. "

The hound flew at the prince; but Rameri, who from his childhood, hadbeen his father's companion in many hunts and field sports, gave thefurious brute such a mighty blow on the muzzle that he rolled over witha snort. 

Paaker believed that he possessed in the whole world no more faithfulfriend than this dog, his companion on all his marches across deserttracts or through the enemy's country, and when he saw him writhing onthe ground his rage knew no bounds, and he flew at the youngster withhis whip; but Rameri--madly excited by all the events of the night, fullof the warlike spirit of his fathers, worked up to the highest pitchby the insults to the two ladies, and seeing that he was their onlyprotector--suddenly felt himself endowed with the strength of a man; hedealt the pioneer such a heavy blow on the left hand, that he droppedhis whip, and now seized the dagger in his girdle with his right. 

Bent-Anat threw herself between the man and the stripling, who washardly more than a boy, once more declared her name, and this time herbrother's also, and commanded Paaker to make peace among the boatmen. Then she led Nefert, who remained unrecognized, into the boat, enteredit herself with her companions, and shortly after landed at the palace, while Paaker's mother, for whom he had called his boat, had yet a longtime to wait before it could start. Setchem had seen the struggle fromher litter at the top of the landing steps, but without understandingits origin, and without recognizing the chief actors. 

The dog was dead. Paaker's hand was very painful, and fresh rage wasseething in his soul. 

"That brood of Rameses!" he muttered. "Adventurers! They shall learn toknow me. Mena and Rameses are closely connected--I will sacrifice themboth. "

CHAPTER XXIX. 

At last the pioneer's boat got off with his mother and the body of thedog, which he intended to send to be embalmed at Kynopolis, the city inwhich the dog was held sacred above all animals;

 [Kynopolis, or in old Egyptian Saka, is now Samalut; Anubis was the chief divinity worshipped there. Plutarch relates a quarrel between the inhabitants of this city, and the neighboring one of Oxyrynchos, where the fish called Oxyrynchos was worshipped. It began because the Kynopolitans eat the fish, and in revenge the Oxyrynchites caught and killed dogs, and consumed them in sacrifices. Juvenal relates a similar story of the Ombites--perhaps Koptites--and Pentyrites in the 15th Satire. ]

Paaker himself returned to the House of Seti, where, in the night whichclosed the feast day, there was always a grand banquet for the superiorpriests of the Necropolis and of the temples of eastern Thebes, for therepresentatives of other foundations, and for select dignitaries of thestate. 

His father had never failed to attend this entertainment when he wasin Thebes, but he himself had to-day for the first time received themuch-coveted honor of an invitation, which--Ameni told him when he gaveit--he entirely owed to the Regent. 

His mother had tied up his hand, which Rameri had severely hurt; it wasextremely painful, but he would not have missed the banquet at any cost, although he felt some alarm of the solemn ceremony. His family was asold as any in Egypt, his blood purer than the king's, and neverthelesshe never felt thoroughly at home in the company of superior people. Hewas no priest, although a scribe; he was a warrior, and yet he did notrank with royal heroes. 

He had been brought up to a strict fulfilment of his duty, and hedevoted himself zealously to his calling; but his habits of life werewidely different from those of the society in which he had been broughtup--a society of which his handsome, brave, and magnanimous father hadbeen a chief ornament. He did not cling covetously to his inheritedwealth, and the noble attribute of liberality was not strange to him, but the coarseness of his nature showed itself most when he was mostlavish, for he was never tired of exacting gratitude from those whom hehad attached to him by his gifts, and he thought he had earned the rightby his liberality to meet the recipient with roughness or arrogance, according to his humor. Thus it happened that his best actions procuredhim not friends but enemies. 

Paaker's was, in fact, an ignoble, that is to say, a selfish nature; toshorten his road he trod down flowers as readily as he marched over thesand of the desert. This characteristic marked him in all things, even in his outward demeanor; in the sound of his voice, in his broadfeatures, in the swaggering gait of his stumpy figure. 

In camp he could conduct himself as he pleased; but this was notpermissible in the society of his equals in rank; for this reason, and because those faculties of quick remark and repartee, whichdistinguished them, had been denied to him, he felt uneasy and out ofhis element when he mixed with them, and he would hardly have acceptedAmeni's invitation, if it had not so greatly flattered his vanity. 

It was already late; but the banquet did not begin till midnight, forthe guests, before it began, assisted at the play which was performed bylamp and torch-light on the sacred lake in the south of the Necropolis, and which represented the history of Isis and Osiris. 

When he entered the decorated hall in which the tables were prepared, hefound all the guests assembled. The Regent Ani was present, and saton Ameni's right at the top of the centre high-table at which severalplaces were unoccupied; for the prophets and the initiated of the templeof Amon had excused themselves from being present. They were faithful toRameses and his house; their grey-haired Superior disapproved of Ameni'sseverity towards the prince and princess, and they regarded the miracleof the sacred heart as a malicious trick of the chiefs of the Necropolisagainst the great temple of the capital for which Rameses had alwaysshown a preference. 

The pioneer went up to the table, where sat the general of the troopsthat had just returned victorious from Ethiopia, and several otherofficers of high rank, There was a place vacant next to the general. Paaker fixed his eyes upon this, but when he observed that the officersigned to the one next to him to come a little nearer, the pioneerimagined that each would endeavor to avoid having him for his neighbor, and with an angry glance he turned his back on the table where thewarriors sat. 

The Mohar was not, in fact, a welcome boon-companion. "The wine turnssour when that churl looks at it, " said the general. 

The eyes of all the guests turned on Paaker, who looked round for aseat, and when no one beckoned him to one he felt his blood begin toboil. He would have liked to leave the banqueting hall at once with aswingeing curse. He had indeed turned towards the door, when the Regent, who had exchanged a few whispered words with Ameni, called to him, requested him to take the place that had been reserved for him, andpointed to the seat by his side, which had in fact been intended for thehigh-priest of the temple of Amon. 

Paaker bowed low, and took the place of honor, hardly daring to lookround the table, lest he should encounter looks of surprise or ofmockery. And yet he had pictured to himself his grandfather Assa, andhis father, as somewhere near this place of honor, which had actuallyoften enough been given up to them. And was he not their descendant andheir? Was not his mother Setchem of royal race? Was not the temple ofSeti more indebted to him than to any one?

A servant laid a garland of flowers round his shoulders, and anotherhanded him wine and food. Then he raised his eyes, and met the brightand sparkling glance of Gagabu; he looked quickly down again at thetable. 

Then the Regent spoke to him, and turning to the other guests mentionedthat Paaker was on the point of starting next day for Syria, andresuming his arduous labors as Mohar. It seemed to Paaker that theRegent was excusing himself for having given him so high a place ofhonor. 

Presently Ani raised his wine-cup, and drank to the happy issue of hisreconnoitring-expedition, and a victorious conclusion to every strugglein which the Mohar might engage. The high-priest then pledged him, andthanked him emphatically in the name of the brethren of the temple, forthe noble tract of arable land which he had that morning given them asa votive offering. A murmur of approbation ran round the tables, andPaaker's timidity began to diminish. 

He had kept the wrappings that his mother had applied round his stillaching hand. 

"Are you wounded?" asked the Regent. 

"Nothing of importance, " answered the pioneer. "I was helping my motherinto the boat, and it happened--"

"It happened, " interrupted an old school-fellow of the Mohar's, who himself held a high appointment as officer of the city-watch ofThebes--"It happened that an oar or a stake fell on his fingers. "

"Is it possible!" cried the Regent. 

"And quite a youngster laid hands on him, " continued the officer. "Mypeople told me every detail. First the boy killed his dog--"

"That noble Descher?" asked the master of the hunt in a tone of regret. "Your father was often by my side with that dog at a boar-hunt. "

Paaker bowed his head; but the officer of the watch, secure in hisposition and dignity, and taking no notice of the glow of anger whichflushed Paaker's face, began again:

"When the hound lay on the ground, the foolhardy boy struck your daggerout of your hand. "

"And did this squabble lead to any disturbance?" asked Ameni earnestly. 

"No, " replied the officer. "The feast has passed off to-day with unusualquiet. If the unlucky interruption to the procession by that crazyparaschites had not occurred, we should have nothing but praise for thepopulace. Besides the fighting priest, whom we have handed over to you, only a few thieves have been apprehended, and they belong exclusively tothe caste, [According to Diodorous (I. 80) there was a cast of thieves in Thebes. All citizens were obliged to enter their names in a register, and state where they lived, and the thieves did the same. The names were enrolled by the "chief of the thieves, " and all stolen goods had to be given up to him. The person robbed had to give a written description of the object he had lost, and a declaration as to when and where he had lost it. The stolen property was then easily recovered, and restored to the owner on the payment of one fourth of its value, which was given to the thief. A similar state of things existed at Cairo within a comparatively short time. ]

so we simply take their booty from them, and let them go. But say, Paaker, what devil of amiability took possession of you down by theriver, that you let the rascal escape unpunished. "

"Did you do that?" exclaimed Gagabu. "Revenge is usually your--"

Ameni threw so warning a glance at the old man, that he suddenly brokeoff, and then asked the pioneer: "How did the struggle begin, and whowas the fellow?"

"Some insolent people, " said Paaker, "wanted to push in front of theboat that was waiting for my mother, and I asserted my rights. Therascal fell upon me, and killed my dog and--by my Osirian father!--thecrocodiles would long since have eaten him if a woman had not comebetween us, and made herself known to me as Bent-Anat, the daughter ofRameses. It was she herself, and the rascal was the young prince Rameri, who was yesterday forbidden this temple. "

"Oho!" cried the old master of the hunt. "Oho! my lord! Is this the wayto speak of the children of the king?"

Others of the company who were attached to Pharaoh's family expressedtheir indignation; but Ameni whispered to Paaker--"Say no more!" then hecontinued aloud:

"You never were careful in weighing your words, my friend, and now, as it seems to me, you are speaking in the heat of fever. Come here, Gagabu, and examine Paaker's wound, which is no disgrace to him--for itwas inflicted by a prince. "

The old man loosened the bandage from the pioneer's swollen hand. 

"That was a bad blow, " he exclaimed; "three fingers are broken, and--doyou see?--the emerald too in your signet ring. "

Paaker looked down at his aching fingers, and uttered a sigh of rehef, for it was not the oracular ring with the name of Thotmes III. , butthe valuable one given to his father by the reigning king that had beencrushed. Only a few solitary fragments of the splintered stone remainedin the setting; the king's name had fallen to pieces, and disappeared. Paaker's bloodless lips moved silently, and an inner voice cried out tohim: "The Gods point out the way! The name is gone, the bearer of thename must follow. "

"It is a pity about the ring, " said Gagabu. "And if the hand is notto follow it--luckily it is your left hand--leave off drinking, letyourself be taken to Nebsecht the surgeon, and get him to set the jointsneatly, and bind them up. "

Paaker rose, and went away after Ameni had appointed to meet him on thefollowing day at the Temple of Seti, and the Regent at the palace. 

When the door had closed behind him, the treasurer of the temple said:

"This has been a bad day for the Mohar, and perhaps it will teach himthat here in Thebes he cannot swagger as he does in the field. Anotheradventure occurred to him to-day; would you like to hear it?"

"Yes; tell it!" cried the guests. 

"You all knew old Seni, " began the treasurer. "He was a rich man, but hegave away all his goods to the poor, after his seven blooming sons, oneafter another, had died in the war, or of illness. He only kept a smallhouse with a little garden, and said that as the Gods had taken hischildren to themselves in the other world he would take pity on theforlorn in this. 'Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe thenaked' says the law; and now that Seni has nothing more to give away, he goes through the city, as you know, hungry and thirsty himself, andscarcely clothed, and begging for his adopted children, the poor. Wehave all given to him, for we all know for whom he humbles himself, and holds out his hand. To-day he went round with his little bag, andbegged, with his kind good eyes, for alms. Paaker has given us a goodpiece of arable land, and thinks, perhaps with reason, that he has donehis part. When Seni addressed him, he told him to go; but the old mandid not give up asking him, he followed him persistently to the graveof his father, and a great many people with him. Then the pioneer pushedhim angrily back, and when at last the beggar clutched his garment, he raised his whip, and struck him two or three times, crying out:'There-that is your portion!' The good old man bore it quite patiently, while he untied the bag, and said with tears in his eyes: 'Myportion--yes--but not the portion of the poor!'

"I was standing near, and I saw how Paaker hastily withdrew into thetomb, and how his mother Setchem threw her full purse to Seni. Othersfollowed her example, and the old man never had a richer harvest. Thepoor may thank the Mohar! A crowd of people collected in front of thetomb, and he would have fared badly if it had not been for the policeguard who drove them away. "

During this narrative, which was heard with much approval--for no one ismore secure of his result than he who can tell of the downfall of a manwho is disliked for his arrogance--the Regent and the high-priest hadbeen eagerly whispering to each other. 

"There can be no doubt, " said Ameni, "that Bent-Anat did actually cometo the festival. "

"And had also dealings with the priest whom you so warmly defend, "whispered the other. 

"Pentaur shall be questioned this very night, " returned the high-priest. "The dishes will soon be taken away, and the drinking will begin. Let usgo and hear what the poet says. "

"But there are now no witnesses, " replied Ani. 

"We do not need them, " said Ameni. "He is incapable of a lie. "

"Let us go then, " said the Regent smiling, "for I am really curiousabout this white negro, and how he will come to terms with the truth. You have forgotten that there is a woman in the case. "

"That there always is!" answered Ameni; he called Gagabu to him, gavehim his seat, begged him to keep up the flow of cheerful conversation, to encourage the guests to drink, and to interrupt all talk of the king, the state, or the war. 

"You know, " he concluded, "that we are not by ourselves this evening. Wine has, before this, betrayed everything! Remember this--the mother offoresight looks backwards!"

Ani clapped his hand on the old man's shoulder. "There will be a spacecleared to-night in your winelofts. It is said of you that you cannotbear to see either a full glass or an empty one; to-night give youraversion to both free play. And when you think it is the right moment, give a sign to my steward, who is sitting there in the corner. He has afew jars of the best liquor from Byblos, that he brought over withhim, and he will bring it to you. I will come in again and bid yougood-night. " Ameni was accustomed to leave the hall at the beginning ofthe drinking. 

When the door was closed behind him and his companion, when freshrose-garlands had been brought for the necks of the company, when lotusblossoms decorated their heads, and the beakers were refilled, a choirof musicians came in, who played on harps, lutes, flutes, and smalldrums. The conductor beat the time by clapping his hands, and when themusic had raised the spirits of the drinkers, they seconded his effortsby rhythmical clippings. The jolly old Gagabu kept up his character as astout drinker, and leader of the feast. 

The most priestly countenances soon beamed with cheerfulness, and theofficers and courtiers outdid each other in audacious jokes. Then theold man signed to a young temple-servant, who wore a costly wreath; hecame forward with a small gilt image of a mummy, carried it round thecircle and cried:

"Look at this, be merry and drink so long as you are on earth, for soonyou must be like this. "

 [A custom mentioned by Herodotus. Lucian saw such an image brought in at a feast. The Greeks adopted the idea, but beautified it, using a winged Genius of death instead of a mummy. The Romans also had their "larva. "]

Gagabu gave another signal, and the Regent's steward brought in the winefrom Byblos. Ani was much lauded for the wonderful choiceness of theliquor. 

"Such wine, " exclaimed the usually grave chief of the pastophori, "islike soap. "

 [This comparison is genuinely Eastern. Kisra called wine "the soap of sorrow. " The Mohammedans, to whom wine is forbidden, have praised it like the guests of the House of Seti. Thus Abdelmalik ibn Salih Haschimi says: "The best thing the world enjoys is wine. " Gahiz says: "When wine enters thy bones and flows through thy limbs it bestows truth of feeling, and perfects the soul; it removes sorrow, elevates the mood, etc. , etc. " When Ibn 'Aischah was told that some one drank no wine, he said: "He has thrice disowned the world. " Ibn el Mu'tazz sang:

 "Heed not time, how it may linger, or how swiftly take its flight, Wail thy sorrows only to the wine before thee gleaming bright. But when thrice thou st drained the beaker watch and ward keep o'er thy heart. Lest the foam of joy should vanish, and thy soul with anguish smart, This for every earthly trouble is a sovereign remedy, Therefore listen to my counsel, knowing what will profit thee, Heed not time, for ah, how many a man has longed in pain Tale of evil days to lighten--and found all his longing vain. " --Translated by Mary J. Safford. ]

"What a simile!" cried Gagabu. "You must explain it. "

"It cleanses the soul of sorrow, " answered the other. "Good, friend!"they all exclaimed. "Now every one in turn shall praise the noble juicein some worthy saying. "

"You begin--the chief prophet of the temple of Atnenophis. "

"Sorrow is a poison, " said the priest, "and wine is the antidote. "

"Well said!--go on; it is your turn, my lord privy councillor. "

"Every thing has its secret spring, " said the official, "and wine is thesecret of joy. "

"Now you, my lord keeper of the seal. "

"Wine seals the door on discontent, and locks the gates on sorrow. "

"That it does, that it certainly does!--Now the governor of Hermothis, the oldest of all the company. "

"Wine ripens especially for us old folks, and not for you young people. "

"That you must explain, " cried a voice from the table of the militaryofficers. 

"It makes young men of the old, " laughed the octogenarian, "and childrenof the young. "

"He has you there, you youngsters, " cried Gagabu. "What have you to say, Septah?"

"Wine is a poison, " said the morose haruspex, "for it makes fools ofwise men. "

"Then you have little to fear from it, alas!" said Gagabu laughing. "Proceed, my lord of the chase. "

"The rim of the beaker, " was the answer, "is like the lip of the womanyou love. Touch it, and taste it, and it is as good as the kiss of abride. "

"General--the turn is yours. "

"I wish the Nile ran with such wine instead of with water, " cried thesoldier, "and that I were as big as the colossus of Atnenophis, and thatthe biggest obelisk of Hatasu were my drinking vessel, and that I mightdrink as much as I would! But now--what have you to say of this nobleliquor, excellent Gagabu?"

The second prophet raised his beaker, and gazed lovingly at the goldenfluid; he tasted it slowly, and then said with his eyes turned toheaven:

"I only fear that I am unworthy to thank the Gods for such a divineblessing. "

"Well said!" exclaimed the Regent Ani, who had re-entered the roomunobserved. "If my wine could speak, it would thank you for such aspeech. "

"Hail to the Regent Ani!" shouted the guests, and they all rose withtheir cups filled with his noble present. 

He pledged them and then rose. 

"Those, " said he, "who have appreciated this wine, I now invite to dinewith me to-morrow. You will then meet with it again, and if you stillfind it to your liking, you will be heartily welcome any evening. Now, good night, friends. "

A thunder of applause followed him, as he quitted the room. 

The morning was already grey, when the carousing-party broke up; few ofthe guests could find their way unassisted through the courtyard; mostof them had already been carried away by the slaves, who had waited forthem--and who took them on their heads, like bales of goods--and hadbeen borne home in their litters; but for those who remained to the end, couches were prepared in the House of Seti, for a terrific storm was nowraging. 

While the company were filling and refilling the beakers, which raisedtheir spirits to so wild a pitch, the prisoner Pentaur had been examinedin the presence of the Regent. Ameni's messenger had found the poeton his knees, so absorbed in meditation that he did not perceive hisapproach. All his peace of mind had deserted him, his soul was in atumult, and he could not succeed in obtaining any calm and clear controlover the new life-pulses which were throbbing in his heart. 

He had hitherto never gone to rest at night without requiring of himselfan account of the past day, and he had always been able to detect themost subtle line that divided right from wrong in his actions. Butto-night he looked back on a perplexing confusion of ideas and events, and when he endeavored to sort them and arrange them, he could seenothing clearly but the image of Bent-Anat, which enthralled his heartand intellect. 

He had raised his hand against his fellow-men, and dipped it in blood, he desired to convince himself of his sin, and to repent but he couldnot; for each time he recalled it, to blame and condemn himself, hesaw the soldier's hand twisted in Uarda's hair, and the princess's eyesbeaming with approbation, nay with admiration, and he said to himselfthat he had acted rightly, and in the same position would do the sameagain to-morrow. Still he felt that he had broken through all theconditions with which fate had surrounded his existence, and it seemedto him that he could never succeed in recovering the still, narrow, butpeaceful life of the past. 

His soul went up in prayer to the Almighty One, and to the spirit of thesweet humble woman whom he had called his mother, imploring for peaceof mind and modest content; but in vain--for the longer he remainedprostrate, flinging up his arms in passionate entreaty, the keener grewhis longings, the less he felt able to repent or to recognize his guilt. Ameni's order to appear before him came almost as a deliverance, andhe followed the messenger prepared for a severe punishment; but notafraid--almost joyful. 

In obedience to the command of the grave high-priest, Pentaur relatedthe whole occurrence--how, as there was no leech in the house, hehad gone with the old wife of the paraschites to visit her possessedhusband; how, to save the unhappy girl from ill-usage by the mob, he hadraised his hand in fight, and dealt indeed some heavy blows. 

"You have killed four men, " said Ameni, "and severely wounded twice asmany. Why did you not reveal yourself as a priest, as the speaker ofthe morning's discourse? Why did you not endeavor to persuade the peoplewith words of warning, rather than with brute force?"

"I had no priest's garment, " replied Pentaur. "There again you didwrong, " said Ameni, "for you know that the law requires of each ofus never to leave this house without our white robes. But you cannotpretend not to know your own powers of speech, nor to contradict me whenI assert that, even in the plainest working-dress, you were perfectlyable to produce as much effect with words as by deadly blows!" "I mightvery likely have succeeded, " answered Pentaur, "but the most savagetemper ruled the crowd; there was no time for reflection, and when Istruck down the villain, like some reptile, who had seized the innocentgirl, the lust of fighting took possession of me. I cared no more for myown life, and to save the child I would have slain thousands. "

"Your eyes sparkle, " said Ameni, "as if you had performed some heroicfeat; and yet the men you killed were only unarmed and pious citizens, who were roused to indignation by a gross and shameless outrage. Icannot conceive whence the warrior-spirit should have fallen on agardener's son--and a minister of the Gods. "

"It is true, " answered Pentaur, "when the crowd rushed upon me, and Idrove them back, putting out all my strength, I felt something of thewarlike rage of the soldier, who repulses the pressing foe from thestandard committed to his charge. It was sinful in a priest, no doubt, and I will repent of it--but I felt it. "

"You felt it--and you will repent of it, well and good, " replied Ameni. "But you have not given a true account of all that happened. Why haveyou concealed that Bent-Anat--Rameses' daughter--was mixed up in thefray, and that she saved you by announcing her name to the people, andcommanding them to leave you alone? When you gave her the lie before allthe people, was it because you did not believe that it was Bent-Anat?Now, you who stand so firmly on so high a platform--now youstandard-bearer of the truth answer me. "

Pentaur had turned pale at his master's words, and said, as he looked atthe Regent:

"We are not alone. "

"Truth is one!" said Ameni coolly. "What you can reveal to me, can alsobe heard by this noble lord, the Regent of the king himself. Did yourecognize Bent-Anat, or not?"

"The lady who rescued me was like her, and yet unlike, " answered thepoet, whose blood was roused by the subtle irony of his Superior'swords. "And if I had been as sure that she was the princess, as I amthat you are the man who once held me in honor, and who are now tryingto humiliate me, I would all the more have acted as I did to sparea lady who is more like a goddess than a woman, and who, to save anunworthy wretch like me, stooped from a throne to the dust. "

"Still the poet--the preacher!" said Ameni. Then he added severely. "Ibeg for a short and clear answer. We know for certain that the princesstook part in the festival in the disguise of a woman of low rank, forshe again declared herself to Paaker; and we know that it was she whosaved you. But did you know that she meant to come across the Nile?"

"How should I?" asked Pentaur. 

"Well, did you believe that it was Bent-Anat whom you saw before youwhen she ventured on to the scene of conflict?"

"I did believe it, " replied Pentaur; he shuddered and cast down hiseyes. 

"Then it was most audacious to drive away the king's daughter as animpostor. "

"It was, " said Pentaur. "But for my sake she had risked the honor of hername, and that of her royal father, and I--I should not have risked mylife and freedom for--"

"We have heard enough, " interrupted Ameni. 

"Not so, " the Regent interposed. "What became of the girl you hadsaved?"

"An old witch, Hekt by name, a neighbor of Pinem's, took her and hergrandmother into her cave, " answered the poet; who was then, by thehigh-priest's order, taken back to the temple-prison. 

Scarcely had he disappeared when the Regent exclaimed:

"A dangerous man! an enthusiast! an ardent worshipper of Rameses!"

"And of his daughter, " laughed Ameni, "but only a worshipper. Thou hastnothing to fear from him--I will answer for the purity of his motives. "

"But he is handsome and of powerful speech, " replied Ani. "I claim himas my prisoner, for he has killed one of my soldiers. "

Ameni's countenance darkened, and he answered very sternly:

"It is the exclusive right of our conclave, as established by ourcharter, to judge any member of this fraternity. You, the future king, have freely promised to secure our privileges to us, the champions ofyour own ancient and sacred rights. "

"And you shall have them, " answered the Regent with a persuasive smile. "But this man is dangerous, and you would not have him go unpunished. "

"He shall be severely judged, " said Ameni, "but by us and in thishouse. "

"He has committed murder!" cried Ani. "More than one murder. He isworthy of death. "

"He acted under pressure of necessity, " replied Ameni. "And a man sofavored by the Gods as he, is not to be lightly given up because anuntimely impulse of generosity prompted him to rash conduct. I know--Ican see that you wish him ill. Promise me, as you value me as an ally, that you will not attempt his life. "

"Oh, willingly!" smiled the Regent, giving the high-priest his hand. 

"Accept my sincere thanks, " said Ameni. "Pentaur was the most promisingof my disciples, and in spite of many aberrations I still esteem himhighly. When he was telling us of what had occurred to-day, did he notremind you of the great Assa, or of his gallant son, the Osirian fatherof the pioneer Paaker?"

"The likeness is extraordinary, " answered Ani, "and yet he is of quitehumble birth. Who was his mother?"

"Our gate-keeper's daughter, a plain, pious, simple creature. "

"Now I will return to the banqueting hall, " said Ani, after a fetemoments of reflection. "But I must ask you one thing more. I spoke toyou of a secret that will put Paaker into our power. The old sorceressHekt, who has taken charge of the paraschites' wife and grandchild, knows all about it. Send some policeguards over there, and let her bebrought over here as a prisoner; I will examine her myself, and so canquestion her without exciting observation. "

Ameni at once sent off a party of soldiers, and then quietly ordered afaithful attendant to light up the so-called audience-chamber, and toput a seat for him in an adjoining room. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

While the banquet was going forward at the temple, and Ameni'smessengers were on their way to the valley of the kings' tombs, to wakenup old Hekt, a furious storm of hot wind came up from the southwest, sweeping black clouds across the sky, and brown clouds of dust acrossthe earth. It bowed the slender palm-trees as an archer bends his bow, tore the tentpegs up on the scene of the festival, whirled the lighttent-cloths up in the air, drove them like white witches through thedark night, and thrashed the still surface of the Nile till its yellowwaters swirled and tossed in waves like a restless sea. 

Paaker had compelled his trembling slaves to row him across the stream;several times the boat was near being swamped, but he had seized thehelm himself with his uninjured hand, and guided it firmly and surely, though the rocking of the boat kept his broken hand in great andconstant pain. After a few ineffectual attempts he succeeded in landing. The storm had blown out the lanterns at the masts--the signal lights forwhich his people looked--and he found neither servants nor torch-bearerson the bank, so he struggled through the scorching wind as far as thegate of his house. His big dog had always been wont to announce hisreturn home to the door-keeper with joyful barking; but to-night theboatmen long knocked in vain at the heavy doer. When at last he enteredthe court-yard, he found all dark, for the wind had extinguished thelanterns and torches, and there were no lights but in the windows of hismother's rooms. 

The dogs in their open kennels now began to make themselves heard, buttheir tones were plaintive and whining, for the storm had frightened thebeasts; their howling cut the pioneer to the heart, for it reminded himof the poor slain Descher, whose deep voice he sadly missed; and when hewent into his own room he was met by a wild cry of lamentation from theEthiopian slave, for the dog which he had trained for Paaker's father, and which he had loved. 

The pioneer threw himself on a seat, and ordered some water to bebrought, that he might cool his aching hand in it, according to theprescription of Nebsecht. 

As soon as the old man saw the broken fingers, he gave another yell ofwoe, and when Paaker ordered him to cease he asked:

"And is the man still alive who did that, and who killed Descher?"

Paaker nodded, and while he held his hand in the cooling water he lookedsullenly at the ground. He felt miserable, and he asked himself whythe storm had not swamped the boat, and the Nile had not swallowed him. Bitterness and rage filled his breast, and he wished he were a child, and might cry. But his mood soon changed, his breath came quickly, his breast heaved, and an ominous light glowed in his eyes. He was notthinking of his love, but of the revenge that was even dearer to him. 

"That brood of Rameses!" he muttered. "I will sweep them all awaytogether--the king, and Mena, and those haughty princes, and manymore--I know how. Only wait, only wait!" and he flung up his right fistwith a threatening gesture. 

The door opened at this instant, and his mother entered the room; theraging of the storm had drowned the sound of her steps, and as sheapproached her revengeful son, she called his name in horror at the madwrath which was depicted in his countenance. Paaker started, and thensaid with apparent composure:

"Is it you, mother? It is near morning, and it is better to be asleepthan awake in such an hour. "

"I could not rest in my rooms, " answered Setchem. "The storm howled sowildly, and I am so anxious, so frightfully unhappy--as I was beforeyour father died. "

"Then stay with me, " said Paaker affectionately, "and lie down on mycouch. "

"I did not come here to sleep, " replied Setchem. "I am too unhappy atall that happened to you on the larding-steps, it is frightful! No, no, my son, it is not about your smashed hand, though it grieves me to seeyou in pain; it is about the king, and his anger when he hears of thequarrel. He favors you less than he did your lost father, I know itwell. But how wildly you smile, how wild you looked when I came in! Itwent through my bones and marrow. "

Both were silent for a time, and listened to the furious raging ofthe storm. At last Setchem spoke. "There is something else, " she said, "which disturbs my mind. I cannot forget the poet who spoke at thefestival to-day, young Pentaur. His figure, his face, his movements, nayhis very voice, are exactly like those of your father at the time whenhe was young, and courted me. It is as if the Gods were fain to see thebest man that they ever took to themselves, walk before them a secondtime upon earth. "

"Yes, my lady, " said the black slave; "no mortal eye ever saw such alikeness. I saw him fighting in front of the paraschites' cottage, andhe was more like my dead master than ever. He swung the tent-post overhis head, as my lord used to swing his battle-axe. "

"Be silent, " cried Paaker, "and get out-idiot! The priest is like myfather; I grant it, mother; but he is an insolent fellow, who offendedme grossly, and with whom I have to reckon--as with many others. "

"How violent you are!" interrupted his mother, "and how full ofbitterness and hatred. Your father was so sweet-tempered, and kind toeverybody. "

"Perhaps they are kind to me?" retorted Paaker with a short laugh. "Eventhe Immortals spite me, and throw thorns in my path. But I will pushthem aside with my own hand, and will attain what I desire without thehelp of the Gods and overthrow all that oppose me. "

"We cannot blow away a feather without the help of the Immortals, "answered Setchem. "So your father used to say, who was a very differentman both in body and mind from you! I tremble before you this evening, and at the curses you have uttered against the children of your lord andsovereign, your father's best friend. "

"But my enemy, " shouted Paaker. "You will get nothing from me butcurses. And the brood of Rameses shall learn whether your husband's sonwill let himself be ill-used and scorned without revenging him self. Iwill fling them into an abyss, and I will laugh when I see them writhingin the sand at my feet!"

"Fool!" cried Setchem, beside herself. "I am but a woman, and have oftenblamed myself for being soft and weak; but as sure as I am faithfulto your dead father--who you are no more like than a bramble is likea palm-tree--so surely will I tear my love for you out of my heart ifyou--if you--Now I see! now I know! Answer me-murderer! Where are theseven arrows with the wicked words which used to hang here? Where arethe arrows on which you had scrawled 'Death to Mena?'"

With these words Setchem breathlessly started forward, but the pioneerdrew back as she confronted him, as in his youthful days when shethreatened to punish him for some misdemeanor. She followed him up, caught him by the girdle, and in a hoarse voice repeated her question. He stood still, snatched her hand angrily from his belt, and saiddefiantly:

"I have put them in my quiver--and not for mere play. Now you know. "

Incapable of words, the maddened woman once more raised her hand againsther degenerate son, but he put back her arm. 

"I am no longer a child, " he said, "and I am master of this house. Iwill do what I will, if a hundred women hindered me!" and with thesewords he pointed to the door. Setchem broke into loud sobs, and turnedher back upon him; but at the door once more she turned to look at him. He had seated himself, and was resting his forehead on the table onwhich the bowl of cold water stood. 

Setchem fought a hard battle. At last once more through her chokingtears she called his name, opened her arms wide and exclaimed:

"Here I am--here I am! Come to my heart, only give up these hideousthoughts of revenge. "

But Paaker did not move, he did not look up at her, he did not speak, he only shook his head in negation. Setchem's hands fell, and she saidsoftly:

"What did your father teach you out of the scriptures? 'Your highestpraise consists in this, to reward your mother for what she has done foryou, in bringing you up, so that she may not raise her hands to God, norHe hear her lamentation. '"

At these words, Paaker sobbed aloud, but he did not look at his mother. She called him tenderly by his name; then her eyes fell on his quiver, which lay on a bench with other arms. Her heart shrunk within her, andwith a trembling voice she exclaimed:

"I forbid this mad vengeance--do you hear? Will you give it up? You donot move? No! you will not! Ye Gods, what can I do?"

She wrung her hands in despair; then she hastily crossed the room, snatched out one of the arrows, and strove to break it. Paaker sprangfrom his seat, and wrenched the weapon from her hand; the sharp pointslightly scratched the skin, and dark drops of blood flowed from it, anddropped upon the floor. 

The Mohar would have taken the wounded hand, for Setchem, who had theweakness of never being able to see blood flow--neither her own noranybody's else--had turned as pale as death; but she pushed him fromher, and as she spoke her gentle voice had a dull estranged tone. 

"This hand, " she said--"a mother's hand wounded by her son--shall neveragain grasp yours till you have sworn a solemn oath to put away from youall thoughts of revenge and murder, and not to disgrace your father'sname. I have said it, and may his glorified spirit be my witness, andgive me strength to keep my word!"

Paaker had fallen on his knees, and was engaged in a terrible mentalstruggle, while his mother slowly went towards the door. There again shestood still for a moment; she did not speak, but her eyes appealed tohim once more. 

In vain. At last she left the room, and the wind slammed the doorviolently behind her. Paaker groaned, and pressed his hand over hiseyes. 

"Mother, mother!" he cried. "I cannot go back--I cannot. "

A fearful gust of wind howled round the house, and drowned his voice, and then he heard two tremendous claps, as if rocks had been hurled fromheaven. He started up and went to the window, where the melancholy greydawn was showing, in order to call the slaves. Soon they came troopingout, and the steward called out as soon as he saw him:

"The storm has blown down the masts at the great gate!"

"Impossible!" cried Paaker. 

"Yes, indeed!" answered the servant. "They have been sawn through closeto the ground. The matmaker no doubt did it, whose collar-bone wasbroken. He has escaped in this fearful night. "

"Let out the dogs, " cried the Mohar. "All who have legs run after theblackguard! Freedom, and five handfuls of gold for the man who bringshim back. "

The guests at the House of Seti had already gone to rest, when Ameni wasinformed of the arrival of the sorceress, and he at once went into thehall, where Ani was waiting to see her; the Regent roused himself from adeep reverie when he heard the high-priest's steps. 

"Is she come?" he asked hastily; when Ameni answered in the affirmativeAni went on meanwhile carefully disentangling the disordered curls ofhis wig, and arranging his broad, collar-shaped necklace:

"The witch may exercise some influence over me; will you not give meyour blessing to preserve me from her spells? It is true, I have on methis Houss'-eye, and this Isis-charm, but one never knows. "

"My presence will be your safe-guard, " said Ameni. "But-no, of courseyou wish to speak with her alone. You shall be conducted to a room, which is protected against all witchcraft by sacred texts. My brother, "he continued to one of the serving-priests, "let the witch be takeninto one of the consecrated rooms, and then, when you have sprinkled thethreshold, lead my lord Ani thither. "

The high-priest went away, and into a small room which adjoined the hallwhere the interview between the Regent and the old woman was about totake place, and where the softest whisper spoken in the larger roomcould be heard by means of an ingeniously contrived and invisible tube. 

When Ani saw the old woman, he started back is horror; her appearance atthis moment was, in fact, frightful. The storm had tossed and torn hergarment and tumbled all her thick, white hair, so that locks of it fellover her face. She leaned on a staff, and bending far forward lookedsteadily at the Regent; and her eyes, red and smarting from the sandwhich the wind had flung in her face, seemed to glow as she fixed themon his. She looked as a hyaena might when creeping to seize its prey, and Ani felt a cold shiver and he heard her hoarse voice addressinghim to greet him and to represent that he had chosen a strange hour forrequiring her to speak with him. 

When she had thanked him for his promise of renewing her letterof freedom, and had confirmed the statement that Paaker had had alove-philter from her, she parted her hair from off her face--itoccurred to her that she was a woman. 

The Regent sat in an arm-chair, she stood before him; but the strugglewith the storm had tired her old limbs, and she begged Ani to permit herto be seated, as she had a long story to tell, which would put Paakerinto his power, so that he would find him as yielding as wax. TheRegent signed her to a corner of the room, and she squatted down on thepavement. 

When he desired her to proceed with her story, she looked at the floorfor some time in silence, and then began, as if half to herself:

"I will tell thee, that I may find peace--I do not want, when I die, tobe buried unembalmed. Who knows but perhaps strange things may happenin the other world, and I would not wish to miss them. I want to see himagain down there, even if it were in the seventh limbo of the damned. Listen to me! But, before I speak, promise me that whatever I tell thee, thou wilt leave me in peace, and will see that I am embalmed when I amdead. Else I will not speak. "

Ani bowed consent. 

"No-no, " she said. "I will tell thee what to swear 'If I do not keep myword to Hekt--who gives the Mohar into my power--may the Spirits whomshe rules, annihilate me before I mount the throne. ' Do not be vexed, my lord--and say only 'Yes. ' What I can tell, is worth more than a mereword. "

"Well then--yes!" cried the Regent, eager for the mighty revelation. 

The old woman muttered a few unintelligible words; then she collectedherself, stretched out her lean neck, and asked, as she fixed hersparkling eyes on the man before her:

"Did'st thou ever, when thou wert young, hear of the singer Beki? Well, look at me, I am she. "

She laughed loud and hoarsely, and drew her tattered robe across herbosom, as if half ashamed of her unpleasing person. 

"Ay!" she continued. "Men find pleasure in grapes by treading themdown, and when the must is drunk the skins are thrown on the dung-hill. Grape-skins, that is what I am--but you need not look at me sopitifully; I was grapes once, and poor and despised as I am now, no onecan take from me what I have had and have been. Mine has been a lifeout of a thousand, a complete life, full to overflowing of joy andsuffering, of love and hate, of delight, despair, and revenge. Only totalk of it raises me to a seat by thy throne there. No, let me be, I amused now to squatting on the ground; but I knew thou wouldst hear me tothe end, for once I too was one of you. Extremes meet in all things--Iknow it by experience. The greatest men will hold out a hand to abeautiful woman, and time was when I could lead you all as with a rope. Shall I begin at the beginning? Well--I seldom am in the mood for itnow-a-days. Fifty years ago I sang a song with this voice of mine; anold crow like me? sing! But so it was. My father was a man of rank, thegovernor of Abydos; when the first Rameses took possession of the thronemy father was faithful to the house of thy fathers, so the new king sentus all to the gold mines, and there they all died--my parents, brothers, and sisters. I only survived by some miracle. As I was handsome and sangwell, a music master took me into his band, brought me to Thebes, and wherever there was a feast given in any great house, Beki wasin request. Of flowers and money and tender looks I had a plentifulharvest; but I was proud and cold, and the misery of my people had mademe bitter at an age when usually even bad liquor tastes of honey. Notone of all the gay young fellows, princes' sons, and nobles, dared totouch my hand. But my hour was to come; the handsomest and noblest manof them all, and grave and dignified too--was Assa, the old Mohar'sfather, and grandfather of Pentaur--no, I should say of Paaker, thepioneer; thou hast known him. Well, wherever I sang, he sat opposite me, and gazed at me, and I could not take my eyes off him, and--thou cansttell the rest! no! Well, no woman before or after me can ever love a manas I loved Assa. Why dost thou not laugh? It must seem odd, too, to hearsuch a thing from the toothless mouth of an old witch. He is dead, longsince dead. I hate him! and yet--wild as it sounds--I believe I love himyet. And he loved me--for two years; then he went to the war with Seti, and remained a long time away, and when I saw him again he had courtedthe daughter of some rich and noble house. I was handsome enough still, but he never looked at me at the banquets. I came across him at leasttwenty times, but he avoided me as if I were tainted with leprosy, and Ibegan to fret, and fell ill of a fever. The doctors said it was all overwith me, so I sent him a letter in which there was nothing but thesewords: 'Beki is dying, and would like to see Assa once more, ' and in thepapyrus I put his first present--a plain ring. And what was the answer?a handful of gold! Gold--gold! Thou may'st believe me, when I say thatthe sight of it was more torturing to my eyes than the iron with whichthey put out the eyes of criminals. Even now, when I think of it--Butwhat do you men, you lords of rank and wealth, know of a breaking heart?When two or three of you happen to meet, and if thou should'st tell thestory, the most respectable will say in a pompous voice: 'The man actednobly indeed; he was married, and his wife would have complained withjustice if he had gone to see the singer. ' Am I right or wrong? I know;not one will remember that the other was a woman, a feeling human being;it will occur to no one that his deed on the one hand saved an hour ofdiscomfort, and on the other wrought half a century of despair. Assaescaped his wife's scolding, but a thousand curses have fallen on himand on his house. How virtuous he felt himself when he had crushed andpoisoned a passionate heart that had never ceased to love him! Ay, andhe would have come if he had not still felt some love for me, if he hadnot misdoubted himself, and feared that the dying woman might once morelight up the fire he had so carefully smothered and crushed out. I wouldhave grieved for him--but that he should send me money, money!--that Ihave never forgiven; that he shall atone for in his grandchild. " Theold woman spoke the last words as if in a dream, and without seeming toremember her hearer. Ani shuddered, as if he were in the presence of amad woman, and he involuntarily drew his chair back a little way. 

The witch observed this; she took breath and went on: "You lords, whowalk in high places, do not know how things go on in the depths beneathyou; you do not choose to know. 

"But I will shorten my story. I got well, but I got out of my bedthin and voiceless. I had plenty of money, and I spent it in buying ofeveryone who professed magic in Thebes, potions to recover Assa's lovefor me, or in paying for spells to be cast on him, or for magic drinksto destroy him. I tried too to recover my voice, but the medicines Itook for it made it rougher not sweeter. Then an excommunicated priest, who was famous among the magicians, took me into his house, and there Ilearned many things; his old companions afterwards turned upon him, hecame over here into the Necropolis, and I came with him. When at lasthe was taken and hanged, I remained in his cave, and myself took towitchcraft. Children point their fingers at me, honest men and womenavoid me, I am an abomination to all men, nay to myself. And one onlyis guilty of all this ruin--the noblest gentleman in Thebes--the piousAssa. 

"I had practised magic for several years, and had become learned in manyarts, when one day the gardener Sent, from whom I was accustomed to buyplants for my mixtures--he rents a plot of ground from the temple ofSeti--Sent brought me a new-born child that had been born with six toes;I was to remove the supernumerary toe by my art. The pious mother of thechild was lying ill of fever, or she never would have allowed it; I tookthe screaming little wretch--for such things are sometimes curable. Thenext morning, a few hours after sunrise, there was a bustle in front ofmy cave; a maid, evidently belonging to a noble house, was callingme. Her mistress, she said, had come with her to visit the tomb of herfathers, and there had been taken ill, and had given birth to a child. Her mistress was lying senseless--I must go at once, and help her. Itook the little six-toed brat in my cloak, told my slavegirl to followme with water, and soon found myself--as thou canst guess--at the tombof Assa's ancestors. The poor woman, who lay there in convulsions, washis daughter-in-law Setchem. The baby, a boy, was as sound as a nut, but she was evidently in great danger. I sent the maid with the litter, which was waiting outside, to the temple here for help; the girl saidthat her master, the father of the child, was at the war, but that thegrandfather, the noble Assa, had promised to meet the lady Setchem atthe tomb, and would shortly be coming; then she disappeared with thelitter. I washed the child, and kissed it as if it were my own. Then Iheard distant steps in the valley, and the recollection of the momentwhen I, lying at the point of death, had received that gift of moneyfrom Assa came over me, and then I do not know myself how it happened--Igave the new-born grandchild of Assa to my slave-girl, and told her tocarry it quickly to the cave, and I wrapped the little six-toed babyin my rags and held it in my lap. There I sat--and the minutes seemedhours, till Assa came up; and when he stood before me, grown grey, itis true, but still handsome and upright--I put the gardener's boy, thesix-toed brat, into his very arms, and a thousand demons seemed to laughhoarsely within me. He thanked me, he did not know me, and once more heoffered me a handful of gold. I took it, and I listened as the priest, who had come from the temple, prophesied all sorts of fine things forthe little one, who was born in so fortunate an hour; and then I wentback into my cave, and there I laughed till I cried, though I do notknow that the tears sprang from the laughter. 

"A few days after I gave Assa's grandchild to the gardener, and toldhim the sixth toe had come off; I had made a little wound on his foot totake in the bumpkin. So Assa's grandchild, the son of the Mohar, grewup as the gardener's child, and received the name of Pentaur, and hewas brought up in the temple here, and is wonderfully like Assa; butthe gardener's monstrous brat is the pioneer Paaker. That is the wholesecret. "

Ani had listened in silence to the terrible old woman. 

We are involuntarily committed to any one who can inform us of someabsorbing fact, and who knows how to make the information valuable. It did not occur to the Regent to punish the witch for her crimes; hethought rather of his older friends' rapture when they talked of thesinger Beki's songs and beauty. He looked at the woman, and a coldshiver ran through all his limbs. 

"You may live in peace, " he said at last; "and when you die I will seeto your being embalmed; but give up your black arts. You must be rich, and, if you are not, say what you need. Indeed, I scarcely dare offeryou gold--it excites your hatred, as I understand. "

"I could take thine--but now let me go!"

She got up, and went towards the door, but the Regent called to her tostop, and asked:

"Is Assa the father of your son, the little Nemu, the dwarf of the ladyKatuti?"

The witch laughed loudly. "Is the little wretch like Assa or like Beki?I picked him up like many other children. "

"But he is clever!" said Ani. 

"Ay-that he is. He has planned many a shrewd stroke, and is devoted tohis mistress. He will help thee to thy purpose, for he himself has onetoo. "

"And that is--?"

"Katuti will rise to greatness with thee, and to riches through Paaker, who sets out to-morrow to make the woman he loves a widow. "

"You know a great deal, " said Ani meditatively, "and I would ask youone thing more; though indeed your story has supplied the answer--butperhaps you know more now than you did in your youth. Is there in truthany effectual love-philter?"

"I will not deceive thee, for I desire that thou should'st keep thy wordto me, " replied Hekt. "A love potion rarely has any effect, and neverbut on women who have never before loved. If it is given to a womanwhose heart is filled with the image of another man her passion for himonly will grow the stronger. "

"Yet another, " said Ani. "Is there any way of destroying an enemy at adistance?"

"Certainly, " said the witch. "Little people may do mean things, andgreat people can let others do things that they cannot do themselves. Mystory has stirred thy gall, and it seems to me that thou dost not lovethe poet Pentaur. A smile! Well then--I have not lost sight of him, and I know he is grown up as proud and as handsome as Assa. He iswonderfully like him, and I could have loved him--have loved as thisfoolish heart had better never have loved. It is strange! In many women, who come to me, I see how their hearts cling to the children of men whohave abandoned them, and we women are all alike, in most things. But Iwill not let myself love Assa's grandchild--I must not. I will injurehim, and help everyone that persecutes him; for though Assa is dead, thewrongs he did me live in me so long as I live myself. Pentaur's destinymust go on its course. If thou wilt have his life, consult with Nemu, for he hates him too, and he will serve thee more effectually than I canwith my vain spells and silly harmless brews. Now let me go home!"

A few hours later Ameni sent to invite the Regent to breakfast. 

"Do you know who the witch Hekt is?" asked Ani. 

"Certainly--how should I not know? She is the singer Beki--the formerenchantress of Thebes. May I ask what her communications were?"

Ani thought it best not to confide the secret of Pentaur's birth to thehigh-priest, and answered evasively. Then Ameni begged to be allowedto give him some information about the old woman, and how she had had ahand in the game; and he related to his hearer, with some omissions andvariations--as if it were a fact he had long known--the very story whicha few hours since he had overheard, and learned for the first time. Anifeigned great astonishment, and agreed with the high-priest that Paakershould not for the present be informed of his true origin. 

"He is a strangely constituted man, " said Ameni, "and he is notincapable of playing us some unforeseen trick before he has done hispart, if he is told who he is. "

The storm had exhausted itself, and the sky, though covered still withtorn and flying clouds, cleared by degrees, as the morning went on; asharp coolness succeeded the hot blast, but the sun as it mounted higherand higher soon heated the air. On the roads and in the gardens layuprooted trees and many slightly-built houses which had been blowndown, while the tents in the strangers' quarter, and hundreds of lightpalm-thatched roofs, had been swept away. 

The Regent was returning to Thebes, and with him went Ameni, who desiredto ascertain by his own eyes what mischief the whirlwind had done to hisgarden in the city. On the Nile they met Paaker's boat, and Ani causedit and his own to be stopped, while he requested Paaker to visit himshortly at the palace. 

The high-priest's garden was in no respect inferior in beauty and extentto that of the Mohar. The ground had belonged to his family from theremotest generations, and his house was large and magnificent. He seatedhimself in a shady arbor, to take a repast with his still handsome wifeand his young and pretty daughters. 

He consoled his wife for the various damage done by the hurricane, promised the girls to build a new and handsomer clove-cot in the placeof the one which had been blown down, and laughed and joked with themall; for here the severe head of the House of Seti, the grave Superiorof the Necropolis, became a simple man, an affectionate husband, atender father, a judicious friend, among his children, his flowers, andhis birds. His youngest daughter clung to his right arm, and anolder one to his left, when he rose from table to go with them to thepoultry-yard. 

On the way thither a servant announced to him that the Lady Setchemwished to see him. 

"Take her to your mistress, " he said. 

But the slave--who held in his hand a handsome gift in money--explainedthat the widow wished to speak with him alone. 

"Can I never enjoy an hour's peace like other men?" exclaimed Ameniannoyed. "Your mistress can receive her, and she can wait with her tillI come. It is true, girls--is it not?--that I belong to you just now, and to the fowls, and ducks, and pigeons?"

His youngest daughter kissed him, the second patted him affectionately, and they all three went gaily forward. An hour later he requested theLady Setchem to accompany him into the garden. 

The poor, anxious, and frightened woman had resolved on this step withmuch difficulty; tears filled her kind eyes, as she communicated hertroubles to the high-priest. 

"Thou art a wise counsellor, " she said, "and thou knowest well how myson honors the Gods of the temple of Seti with gifts and offerings. He will not listen to his mother, but thou hast influence with him. Hemeditates frightful things, and if he cannot be terrified by threats ofpunishment from the Immortals, he will raise his hand against Mena, andperhaps--"

"Against the king, " interrupted Ameni gravely. "I know it, and I willspeak to him. "

"Thanks, oh a thousand thanks!" cried the widow, and she seized thehigh-priests robe to kiss it. "It was thou who soon after his birthdidst tell my husband that he was born under a lucky star, and wouldgrow to be an honor and an ornament to his house and to his country. Andnow--now he will ruin himself in this world, and the next. "

"What I foretold of your son, " said Ameni, "shall assuredly befulfilled, for the ways of the Gods are not as the ways of men. "

"Thy words do me good!" cried Setchem. "None can tell what fearfulterror weighed upon my heart, when I made up my mind to come here. Butthou dost not yet know all. The great masts of cedar, which Paaker sentfrom Lebanon to Thebes to bear our banners, and ornament our gateway, were thrown to the ground at sunrise by the frightful wind. "

"Thus shall your son's defiant spirit be broken, " said Ameni; "But foryou, if you have patience, new joys shall arise. "

"I thank thee again, " said Setchem. "But something yet remains to besaid. I know that I am wasting the time that thou dost devote to thyfamily, and I remember thy saying once that here in Thebes thou wertlike a pack-Horse with his load taken off, and free to wander over agreen meadow. I will not disturb thee much longer--but the Gods sent mesuch a wonderful vision. Paaker would not listen to me, and I went backinto my room full of sorrow; and when at last, after the sun had risen, I fell asleep for a few minutes, I dreamed I saw before me the poetPentaur, who is wonderfully like my dead husband in appearance and invoice. Paaker went up to him, and abused him violently, and threatenedhim with his fist; the priest raised his arms in prayer, just as I sawhim yesterday at the festival--but not in devotion, but to seize Paaker, and wrestle with him. The struggle did not last long, for Paaker seemedto shrink up, and lost his human form, and fell at the poet's feet--notmy son, but a shapeless lump of clay such as the potter uses to makejars of. "

"A strange dream!" exclaimed Ameni, not without agitation. "A verystrange dream, but it bodes you good. Clay, Setchem, is yielding, andclearly indicates that which the Gods prepare for you. The Immortalswill give you a new and a better son instead of the old one, but it isnot revealed to me by what means. Go now, and sacrifice to the Gods, andtrust to the wisdom of those who guide the life of the universe, and ofall mortal creatures. Yet--I would give you one more word of advice. IfPaaker comes to you repentant, receive him kindly, and let me know; butif he will not yield, close your rooms against him, and let him departwithout taking leave of you. "

When Setchem, much encouraged, was gone away, Ameni said to himself:

"She will find splendid compensation for this coarse scoundrel, andshe shall not spoil the tool we need to strike our blow. I have oftendoubted how far dreams do, indeed, foretell the future, but to-day myfaith in them is increased. Certainly a mother's heart sees farther thanthat of any other human being. "

At the door of her house Setchem came up with her son's chariot. They saw each other, but both looked away, for they could not meetaffectionately, and would not meet coldly. As the horses outran thelitter-bearers, the mother and son looked round at each other, theireyes met, and each felt a stab in the heart. 

In the evening the pioneer, after he had had an interview with theRegent, went to the temple of Seti to receive Ameni's blessing on allhis undertakings. Then, after sacrificing in the tomb of his ancestors, he set out for Syria. 

Just as he was getting into his chariot, news was brought him that themat-maker, who had sawn through the masts at the gate, had been caught. 

"Put out his eyes!" he cried; and these were the last words he spoke ashe quitted his home. 

Setchem looked after him for a long time; she had refused to bid himfarewell, and now she implored the Gods to turn his heart, and topreserve him from malice and crime. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Three days had passed since the pioneer's departure, and although it wasstill early, busy occupation was astir in Bent-Anat's work-rooms. 

The ladies had passed the stormy night, which had succeeded the excitingevening of the festival, without sleep. 

Nefert felt tired and sleepy the next morning, and begged the princessto introduce her to her new duties for the first time next day; but theprincess spoke to her encouragingly, told her that no man should putoff doing right till the morrow, and urged her to follow her into herworkshop. 

"We must both come to different minds, " said she. "I often shudderinvoluntarily, and feel as if I bore a brand--as if I had a stain hereon my shoulder where it was touched by Paaker's rough hand. "

The first day of labor gave Nefert a good many difficulties to overcome;on the second day the work she had begun already had a charm for her, and by the third she rejoiced in the little results of her care. 

Bent-Anat had put her in the right place, for she had the direction of alarge number of young girls and women, the daughters, wives, and widowsof those Thebans who were at the war, or who had fallen in the field, who sorted and arranged the healing herbs. Her helpers sat in littlecircles on the ground; in the midst of each lay a great heap of freshand dry plants, and in front of each work-woman a number of parcels ofthe selected roots, leaves, and flowers. 

An old physician presided over the whole, and had shown Nefert the firstday the particular plants which he needed. 

The wife of Mena, who was fond of flowers, had soon learnt them all, andshe taught willingly, for she loved children. 

She soon had favorites among the children, and knew some as beingindustrious and careful, others as idle and heedless:

"Ay! ay!" she exclaimed, bending over a little half-naked maiden withgreat almond-shaped eyes. "You are mixing them all together. Yourfather, as you tell me, is at the war. Suppose, now, an arrow wereto strike him, and this plant, which would hurt him, were laid on theburning wound instead of this other, which would do him good--that wouldbe very sad. "

The child nodded her head, and looked her work through again. Nefertturned to a little idler, and said: "You are chattering again, and doingnothing, and yet your father is in the field. If he were ill now, andhas no medicine, and if at night when he is asleep he dreams of you, andsees you sitting idle, he may say to himself: 'Now I might get well, butmy little girl at home does not love me, for she would rather sit withher hands in her lap than sort herbs for her sick father. '"

Then Nefert turned to a large group of the girls, who were sortingplants, and said: "Do you, children, know the origin of all thesewholesome, healing herbs? The good Horus went out to fight against Seth, the murderer of his father, and the horrible enemy wounded Horus in theeye in the struggle; but the son of Osiris conquered, for good alwaysconquers evil. But when Isis saw the bad wound, she pressed her son'shead to her bosom, and her heart was as sad as that of any poor humanmother that holds her suffering child in her arms. And she thought: 'Howeasy it is to give wounds, and how hard it is to heal them!' and so shewept; one tear after another fell on the earth, and wherever they wettedthe ground there sprang up a kindly healing plant. "

"Isis is good!" cried a little girl opposite to her. "Mother says Isisloves children when they are good. "

"Your mother is right, " replied Nefert. "Isis herself has her dearlittle son Horus; and every human being that dies, and that was good, becomes a child again, and the Goddess makes it her own, and takes it toher breast, and nurses it with her sister Nephthys till he grows up andcan fight for his father. "

Nefert observed that while she spoke one of the women was crying. Shewent up to her, and learned that her husband and her son were both dead, the former in Syria, and the latter after his return to Egypt. "Poorsoul!" said Nefert. "Now you will be very careful, that the wounds ofothers may be healed. I will tell you something more about Isis. Sheloved her husband Osiris dearly, as you did your dead husband, and I myhusband Mena, but he fell a victim to the cunning of Seth, and she couldnot tell where to find the body that had been carried away, while youcan visit your husband in his grave. Then Isis went through the landlamenting, and ah! what was to become of Egypt, which received all itsfruitfulness from Osiris. The sacred Nile was dried up, and not a bladeof verdure was green on its banks. The Goddess grieved over thisbeyond words, and one of her tears fell in the bed of the river, andimmediately it began to rise. You know, of course, that each inundationarises from a tear of Isis. Thus a widow's sorrow may bring blessing tomillions of human beings. "

The woman had listened to her attentively, and when Nefert ceasedspeaking she said:

"But I have still three little brats of my son's to feed, for his wife, who was a washerwoman, was eaten by a crocodile while she was at work. Poor folks must work for themselves, and not for others. If the princessdid not pay us, I could not think of the wounds of the soldiers, who donot belong to me. I am no longer strong, and four mouths to fill--"

Nefert was shocked--as she often was in the course of her newduties--and begged Bent-Gnat to raise the wages of the woman. 

"Willingly, " said the princess. "How could I beat down such anassistant. Come now with me into the kitchen. I am having some fruitpacked for my father and brothers; there must be a box for Mena too. "Nefert followed her royal friend, found them packing in one case thegolden dates of the oasis of Amon, and in another the dark dates ofNubia, the king's favorite sort. "Let me pack them!" cried Nefert;she made the servants empty the box again, and re-arranged thevarious-colored dates in graceful patterns, with other fruits preservedin sugar. 

Bent-Anat looked on, and when she had finished she took her hand. "Whatever your fingers have touched, " she exclaimed, "takes some prettyaspect. Give me that scrap of papyrus; I shall put it in the case, andwrite upon it:

"'These were packed for king Rameses by his daughter's clever helpmate, the wife of Mena. '"

After the mid-day rest the princess was called away, and Nefert remainedfor some hours alone with the work-women. 

When the sun went down, and the busy crowd were about to leave, Nefertdetained them, and said: "The Sun-bark is sinking behind the westernhills; come, let us pray together for the king and for those we love inthe field. Each of you think of her own: you children of your fathers, you women of your sons, and we wives of our distant husbands, and let usentreat Amon that they may return to us as certainly as the sun, whichnow leaves us, will rise again to-morrow morning. "

Nefert knelt down, and with her the women and the children. 

When they rose, a little girl went up to Nefert, and said, pulling herdress: "Thou madest us kneel here yesterday, and already my mother isbetter, because I prayed for her. "

"No doubt, " said Nefert, stroking the child's black hair. 

She found Bent-Anat on the terrace meditatively gazing across to theNecropolis, which was fading into darkness before her eyes. She startedwhen she heard the light footsteps of her friend. 

"I am disturbing thee, " said Nefert, about to retire. 

"No, stay, " said Bent-Anat. "I thank the Gods that I have you, for myheart is sad--pitifully sad. "

"I know where your thoughts were, " said Nefert softly. "Well?" asked theprincess. 

"With Pentaur. "

"I think of him--always of him, " replied the princess, "and nothing elseoccupies my heart. I am no longer myself. What I think I ought not tothink, what I feel I ought not to feel, and yet, I cannot command it, and I think my heart would bleed to death if I tried to cut out thosethoughts and feelings. I have behaved strangely, nay unbecomingly, and now that which is hard to endure is hanging over me, somethingstrange-which will perhaps drive you from me back to your mother. "

"I will share everything with you, " cried Nefert. "What is going tohappen? Are you then no longer the daughter of Rameses?"

"I showed myself to the people as a woman of the people, " answeredBent-Anat, "and I must take the consequences. Bek en Chunsu, the high-priest of Amon, has been with me, and I have had a longconversation with him. The worthy man is good to me, I know, and myfather ordered me to follow his advice before any one's. He showed methat I have erred deeply. In a state of uncleanness I went into oneof the temples of the Necropolis, and after I had once been into theparaschites' house and incurred Ameni's displeasure, I did it a secondtime. They know over there all that took place at the festival. Now Imust undergo purification, either with great solemnity at the hands ofAmeni himself, before all the priests and nobles in the House ofSeti, or by performing a pilgrimage to the Emerald-Hathor, under whoseinfluence the precious stones are hewn from the rocks, metals dug out, and purified by fire. The Goddess shall purge me from my uncleannessas metal is purged from the dross. At a day's journey and more from themines, an abundant stream flows from 'the holy mountain-Sinai, ' as it iscalled by the Mentut--and near it stands the sanctuary of the Goddess, in which priests grant purification. The journey is a long one, throughthe desert, and over the sea; But Bek en Chunsu advises me to ventureit. Ameni, he says, is not amiably disposed towards me, because Iinfringed the ordinance which he values above all others. I must submitto double severity, he says, because the people look first to those ofthe highest rank; and if I went unpunished for contempt of the sacredinstitutions there might be imitators among the crowd. He speaks in thename of the Gods, and they measure hearts with an equal measure. Theell-measure is the symbol of the Goddess of Truth. I feel that it is allnot unjust; and yet I find it hard to submit to the priest's decree, forI am the daughter of Rameses!"

"Aye, indeed!" exclaimed Nefert, "and he is himself a God!"

"But he taught me to respect the laws!" interrupted the princess. "Idiscussed another thing with Bek en Chunsu. You know I rejected the suitof the Regent. He must secretly be much vexed with me. That indeed wouldnot alarm me, but he is the guardian and protector appointed over meby my father, and yet can I turn to him in confidence for counsel, and help? No! I am still a woman, and Rameses' daughter! Sooner will Itravel through a thousand deserts than humiliate my father through hischild. By to-morrow I shall have decided; but, indeed, I have alreadydecided to make the journey, hard as it is to leave much that is here. Do not fear, dear! but you are too tender for such a journey, and tosuch a distance; I might--"

"No, no, " cried Nefert. "I am going, too, if you were going to the fourpillars of heaven, at the limits of the earth. You have given me a newlife, and the little sprout that is green within me would wither againif I had to return to my mother. Only she or I can be in our house, andI will re-enter it only with Mena. "

"It is settled--I must go, " said the princess. "Oh! if only my fatherwere not so far off, and that I could consult him!"

"Yes! the war, and always the war!" sighed Nefert. "Why do not men restcontent with what they have, and prefer the quiet peace, which makeslife lovely, to idle fame?"

"Would they be men? should we love them?" cried Bent-Anat eagerly. "Isnot the mind of the Gods, too, bent on war? Did you ever see a moresublime sight than Pentaur, on that evening when he brandished the stakehe had pulled up, and exposed his life to protect an innocent girl whowas in danger?"

"I dared not once look down into the court, " said Nefert. "I was in suchan agony of mind. But his loud cry still rings in my ears. "

"So rings the war cry of heroes before whom the enemy quails!" exclaimedBent-Anat. 

"Aye, truly so rings the war cry!" said prince Rameri, who had enteredhis sister's half-dark room unperceived by the two women. 

The princess turned to the boy. "How you frightened me!" she said. 

"You!" said Rameri astonished. 

"Yes, me. I used to have a stout heart, but since that evening Ifrequently tremble, and an agony of terror comes over me, I do not knowwhy. I believe some demon commands me. "

"You command, wherever you go; and no one commands you, " cried Rameri. "The excitement and tumult in the valley, and on the quay, still agitateyou. I grind my teeth myself when I remember how they turned me outof the school, and how Paaker set the dog at us. I have gone through agreat deal today too. "

"Where were you so long?" asked Bent-Anat. "My uncle Ani commanded thatyou should not leave the palace. "

"I shall be eighteen years old next month, " said the prince, "and needno tutor. "

"But your father--" said Bent-Anat. 

"My father"--interrupted the boy, "he little knows the Regent. But Ishall write to him what I have today heard said by different people. They were to have sworn allegiance to Ani at that very feast in thevalley, and it is quite openly said that Ani is aiming at the throne, and intends to depose the king. You are right, it is madness--but theremust be something behind it all. "

Nefert turned pale, and Bent-Anat asked for particulars. The princerepeated all he had gathered, and added laughing: "Ani depose my father!It is as if I tried to snatch the star of Isis from the sky to light thelamps--which are much wanted here. "

"It is more comfortable in the dark, " said Nefert. "No, let us havelights, " said Bent-Anat. "It is better to talk when we can see eachother face to face. I have no belief in the foolish talk of the people;but you are right--we must bring it to my fathers knowledge. "

"I heard the wildest gossip in the City of the Dead, " said Rameri. 

"You ventured over there? How very wrong!"

"I disguised myself a little, and I have good news for you. Pretty Uardais much better. She received your present, and they have a house oftheir own again. Close to the one that was burnt down, there was atumbled-down hovel, which her father soon put together again; he is abearded soldier, who is as much like her as a hedgehog is like a whitedove. I offered her to work in the palace for you with the other girls, for good wages, but she would not; for she has to wait on her sickgrandmother, and she is proud, and will not serve any one. "

"It seems you were a long time with the paraschites' people, " saidBent-Anat reprovingly. "I should have thought that what has happened tome might have served you as a warning. "

"I will not be better than you!" cried the boy. "Besides, theparaschites is dead, and Uarda's father is a respectable soldier, whocan defile no one. I kept a long way from the old woman. To-morrow I amgoing again. I promised her. "

"Promised who?" asked his sister. 

"Who but Uarda? She loves flowers, and since the rose which you gaveher she has not seen one. I have ordered the gardener to cut me a basketfull of roses to-morrow morning, and shall take them to her myself. "

"That you will not!" cried Bent-Anat. "You are still but half achild--and, for the girl's sake too, you must give it up. "

"We only gossip together, " said the prince coloring, "and no one shallrecognize me. But certainly, if you mean that, I will leave the basketof roses, and go to her alone. No--sister, I will not be forbidden this;she is so charming, so white, so gentle, and her voice is so soft andsweet! And she has little feet, as small as--what shall I say?--as smalland graceful as Nefert's hand. We talked most about Pentaur. She knowshis father, who is a gardener, and knows a great deal about him. Onlythink! she says the poet cannot be the son of his parents, but a goodspirit that has come down on earth--perhaps a God. At first she was verytimid, but when I spoke of Pentaur she grew eager; her reverence for himis almost idolatry--and that vexed me. "

"You would rather she should reverence you so, " said Nefert smiling. 

"Not at all, " cried Rameri. "But I helped to save her, and I am so happywhen I am sitting with her, that to-morrow, I am resolved, I will puta flower in her hair. It is red certainly, but as thick as yours, Bent-Anat, and it must be delightful to unfasten it and stroke it. "

The ladies exchanged a glance of intelligence, and the princess saiddecidedly:

"You will not go to the City of the Dead to-morrow, my little son!"

"That we will see, my little mother!" He answered laughing; then heturned grave. 

"I saw my school-friend Anana too, " he said. "Injustice reigns in theHouse of Seti! Pentaur is in prison, and yesterday evening they sat injudgment upon him. My uncle was present, and would have pounced upon thepoet, but Ameni took him under his protection. What was finally decided, the pupils could not learn, but it must have been something bad, forthe son of the Treasurer heard Ameni saying, after the sitting, to oldGagabu: 'Punishment he deserves, but I will not let him be overwhelmed;'and he can have meant no one but Pentaur. To-morrow I will go over, and learn more; something frightful, I am afraid--several years ofimprisonment is the least that will happen to him. "

Bent-Anat had turned very pale. 

"And whatever they do to him, " she cried, "he will suffer for my sake!Oh, ye omnipotent Gods, help him--help me, be merciful to us both!"

She covered her face with her hands, and left the room. Rameri askedNefert:

"What can have come to my sister? she seems quite strange to me; and youtoo are not the same as you used to be. "

"We both have to find our way in new circumstances. "

"What are they?"

"That I cannot explain to you!--but it appears to me that you soon mayexperience something of the same kind. Rumeri, do not go again to theparaschites. "

CHAPTER XXXII. 

Early on the following clay the dwarf Nemu went past the restored hut ofUarda's father--in which he had formerly lived with his wife--with aman in a long coarse robe, the steward of some noble family. They wenttowards old Hekt's cave-dwelling. 

"I would beg thee to wait down here a moment, noble lord, " said thedwarf, "while I announce thee to my mother. "

"That sounds very grand, " said the other. "However, so be it. But stay!The old woman is not to call me by my name or by my title. She is tocall me 'steward'--that no one may know. But, indeed, no one wouldrecognize me in this dress. "

Nemu hastened to the cave, but before he reached his mother she calledout: "Do not keep my lord waiting--I know him well. "

Nemu laid his finger to his lips. 

"You are to call him steward, " said he. 

"Good, " muttered the old woman. "The ostrich puts his head under hisfeathers when he does not want to be seen. "

"Was the young prince long with Uarda yesterday?"

"No, you fool, " laughed the witch, "the children play together. Rameriis a kid without horns, but who fancies he knows where they ought togrow. Pentaur is a more dangerous rival with the red-headed girl. Makehaste, now; these stewards must not be kept waiting!"

The old woman gave the dwarf a push, and he hurried back to Ani, whileshe carried the child, tied to his board, into the cave, and threw thesack over him. 

A few minutes later the Regent stood before her. She bowed before himwith a demeanor that was more like the singer Beki than the sorceressHekt, and begged him to take the only seat she possessed. 

When, with a wave of his hand, he declined to sit down, she said:

"Yes--yes--be seated! then thou wilt not be seen from the valley, but bescreened by the rocks close by. Why hast thou chosen this hour for thyvisit?"

"Because the matter presses of which I wish to speak, " answered Ani;"and in the evening I might easily be challenged by the watch. Mydisguise is good. Under this robe I wear my usual dress. From this Ishall go to the tomb of my father, where I shall take off this coarsething, and these other disfigurements, and shall wait for my chariot, which is already ordered. I shall tell people I had made a vow to visitthe grave humbly, and on foot, which I have now fulfilled. "

"Well planned, " muttered the old woman. 

Ani pointed to the dwarf, and said politely: "Your pupil. "

Since her narrative the sorceress was no longer a mere witch in hiseyes. The old woman understood this, and saluted him with a curtsey ofsuch courtly formality, that a tame raven at her feet opened his blackbeak wide, and uttered a loud scream. She threw a bit of cheese withinthe cave, and the bird hopped after it, flapping his clipped wings, andwas silent. 

"I have to speak to you about Pentaur, " said Ani. The old woman's eyesflashed, and she eagerly asked, "What of him?"

"I have reasons, " answered the Regent, "for regarding him as dangerousto me. He stands in my way. He has committed many crimes, even murder;but he is in favor at the House of Seti, and they would willingly lethim go unpunished. They have the right of sitting in judgment on eachother, and I cannot interfere with their decisions; the day beforeyesterday they pronounced their sentence. They would send him to thequarries of Chennu. 

 [Chennu is now Gebel Silsileh; the quarries there are of enormous extent, and almost all the sandstone used for building the temples of Upper Egypt was brought from thence. The Nile is narrower there than above, and large stela, were erected there by Rameses II. His successor Mernephtah, on which were inscribed beautiful hymns to the Nile, and lists of the sacrifices to be offered at the Nile- festivals. These inscriptions can be restored by comparison, and my friend Stern and I had the satisfaction of doing this on the spot (Zeitschrift fur Agyptishe Sprache, 1873, p. 129. )]

"All my objections were disregarded, and now Nemu, go over to the graveof Anienophis, and wait there for me--I wish to speak to your motheralone. "

Nemu bowed, and then went down the slope, disappointed, it is true, butsure of learning later what the two had discussed together. 

When the little man had disappeared, Ani asked:

"Have you still a heart true to the old royal house, to which yourparents were so faithfully attached?" The old woman nodded. 

"Then you will not refuse your help towards its restoration. Youunderstand how necessary the priesthood is to me, and I have sworn notto make any attempt on Pentaur's life; but, I repeat it, he stands in myway. I have my spies in the House of Seti, and I know through them whatthe sending of the poet to Chennu really means. For a time they will lethim hew sandstone, and that will only improve his health, for he is assturdy as a tree. In Chennu, as you know, besides the quarries there isthe great college of priests, which is in close alliance with thetemple of Seti. When the flood begins to rise, and they hold the greatNile-festival in Chennu, the priests there have the right of takingthree of the criminals who are working in the quarries into their houseas servants. Naturally they will, next year, choose Pentaur, set him atliberty--and I shall be laughed at. "

"Well considered!" said aid Hekt. 

"I have taken counsel with myself, with Katuti, and even with Nemu, "continued Ani, "but all that they have suggested, though certainlypracticable, was unadvisable, and at any rate must have led toconjectures which I must now avoid. What is your opinion?"

"Assa's race must be exterminated!" muttered the old woman hoarsely. 

She gazed at the ground, reflecting. 

"Let the boat be scuttled, " she said at last, "and sink with the chainedprisoners before it reaches Chennu. "

"No-no; I thought of that myself, and Nemu too advised it, " cried Ani. "That has been done a hundred times, and Ameni will regard me as aperjurer, for I have sworn not to attempt Pentaur's life. "

"To be sure, thou hast sworn that, and men keep their word--to eachother. Wait a moment, how would this do? Let the ship reach Chennu withthe prisoners, but, by a secret order to the captain, pass the quarriesin the night, and hasten on as fast as possible as far as Ethiopia. FromSuan, --[The modern Assuan at the first cataract. ]--the prisoners may beconducted through the desert to the gold workings. Four weeks or eveneight may pass before it is known here what has happened. If Ameniattacks thee about it, thou wilt be very angry at this oversight, andcanst swear by all the Gods of the heavens and of the abyss, that thouhast not attempted Pentaur's life. More weeks will pass in enquiries. Meanwhile do thy best, and Paaker do his, and thou art king. An oath iseasily broken by a sceptre, and if thou wilt positively keep thy wordleave Pentaur at the gold mines. None have yet returned from thence. Myfather's and my brother's bones have bleached there. "

"But Ameni will never believe in the mistake, " cried Ani, anxiouslyinterrupting the witch. 

"Then admit that thou gavest the order, " exclaimed Hekt. "Explain thatthou hadst learned what they proposed doing with Pentaur at Chennu, andthat thy word indeed was kept, but that a criminal could not be leftunpunished. They will make further enquiries, and if Assa's grandsonis found still living thou wilt be justified. Follow my advice, ifthou wilt prove thyself a good steward of thy house, and master of itsinheritance. "

"It will not do, " said the Regent. "I need Ameni's support--not forto-day and to-morrow only. I will not become his blind tool; but he mustbelieve that I am. "

The old woman shrugged her shoulders, rose, went into her cave, andbrought out a phial. 

"Take this, " she said. "Four drops of it in his wine infallibly destroysthe drinker's senses; try the drink on a slave, and thou wilt see howeffectual it is. "

"What shall I do with it?" asked Ani. 

"Justify thyself to Ameni, " said the witch laughing. "Order the ship'scaptain to come to thee as soon as he returns; entertain him withwine--and when Ameni sees the distracted wretch, why should he notbelieve that in a fit of craziness he sailed past Chennu?"

"That is clever! that is splendid!" exclaimed Ani. "What is onceremarkable never becomes common. You were the greatest of singers--youare now the wisest of women--my lady Beki. "

"I am no longer Beki, I am Hekt, " said the old woman shortly. 

"As you will! In truth, if I had ever heard Beki's singing, I should bebound to still greater gratitude to her than I now am to Hekt, " said Anismiling. "Still, I cannot quit the wisest woman in Thebes without askingher one serious question. Is it given to you to read the future?Have you means at your command whereby you can see whether the greatstake--you know which I mean--shall be won or lost?"

Hekt looked at the ground, and said after reflecting a short time:

"I cannot decide with certainty, but thy affair stands well. Look atthese two hawks with the chain on their feet. They take their food fromno one but me. The one that is moulting, with closed, grey eyelids, isRameses; the smart, smooth one, with shining eyes, is thyself. Itcomes to this--which of you lives the longest. So far, thou hast theadvantage. "

Ani cast an evil glance at the king's sick hawk; but Hekt said: "Bothmust be treated exactly alike. Fate will not be done violence to. "

"Feed them well, " exclaimed the Regent; he threw a purse into Hekt'slap, and added, as he prepared to leave her: "If anything happens toeither of the birds let me know at once by Nemu. "

Ani went down the hill, and walked towards the neighboring tomb ofhis father; but Hekt laughed as she looked after him, and muttered toherself:

"Now the fool will take care of me for the sake of his bird! Thatsmiling, spiritless, indolent-minded man would rule Egypt! Am I then somuch wiser than other folks, or do none but fools come to consult Hekt?But Rameses chose Ani to represent him! perhaps because he thinks thatthose who are not particularly clever are not particularly dangerous. If that is what he thought, he was not wise, for no one usually is soself-confident and insolent as just such an idiot. "

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

An hour later, Ani, in rich attire, left his father's tomb, and drovehis brilliant chariot past the witch's cave, and the little cottage ofUarda's father. 

Nemu squatted on the step, the dwarf's usual place. The little manlooked down at the lately rebuilt hut, and ground his teeth, when, through an opening in the hedge, he saw the white robe of a man, who wassitting by Uarda. 

The pretty child's visitor was prince Rameri, who had crossed the Nilein the early morning, dressed as a young scribe of the treasury, toobtain news of Pentaur--and to stick a rose into Uarda's hair. 

This purpose was, indeed, the more important of the two, for the othermust, in point of time at any rate, be the second. 

He found it necessary to excuse himself to his own conscience witha variety of cogent reasons. In the first place the rose, which laycarefully secured in a fold of his robe, ran great danger of fadingif he first waited for his companions near the temple of Seti; next, ahasty return from thence to Thebes might prove necessary; and finally, it seemed to him not impossible that Bent-Anat might send a master ofthe ceremonies after him, and if that happened any delay might frustratehis purpose. 

His heart beat loud and violently, not for love of the maiden, butbecause he felt he was doing wrong. The spot that he must tread wasunclean, and he had, for the first time, told a lie. He had givenhimself out to Uarda to be a noble youth of Bent-Anat's train, and, asone falsehood usually entails another, in answer to her questions he hadgiven her false information as to his parents and his life. 

Had evil more power over him in this unclean spot than in the House ofSeti, and at his father's? It might very well be so, for all disturbancein nature and men was the work of Seth, and how wild was the storm inhis breast! And yet! He wished nothing but good to come of it to Uarda. She was so fair and sweet--like some child of the Gods: and certainlythe white maiden must have been stolen from some one, and could notpossibly belong to the unclean people. 

When the prince entered the court of the hut, Uarda was not to be seen, but he soon heard her voice singing out through the open door. She cameout into the air, for the dog barked furiously at Rameri. When she sawthe prince, she started, and said:

"You are here already again, and yet I warned you. My grandmother inthere is the wife of a paraschites. "

"I am not come to visit her, " retorted the prince, "but you only; andyou do not belong to them, of that I am convinced. No roses grow in thedesert. "

"And yet: am my father's child, " said Uarda decidedly, "and my poor deadgrandfather's grandchild. Certainly I belong to them, and those that donot think me good enough for them may keep away. "

With these words she turned to re-enter the house; but Rameri seized herhand, and held her back, saying:

"How cruel you are! I tried to save you, and came to see you before Ithought that you might--and, indeed, you are quite unlike the peoplewhom you call your relations. You must not misunderstand me; but itwould be horrible to me to believe that you, who are so beautiful, andas white as a lily, have any part in the hideous curse. You charm everyone, even my mistress, Bent-Anat, and it seems to me impossible--"

"That I should belong to the unclean!--say it out, " said Uarda softly, and casting down her eyes. 

Then she continued more excitedly: "But I tell you, the curse is unjust, for a better man never lived than my grandfather was. "

Tears sprang from her eyes, and Rameri said: "I fully believe it; andit must be very difficult to continue good when every one despises andscorns one; I at least can be brought to no good by blame, though Ican by praise. Certainly people are obliged to meet me and mine withrespect. "

"And us with contempt!" exclaimed Uarda. "But I will tell you something. If a man is sure that he is good, it is all the same to him whether hebe despised or honored by other people. Nay--we may be prouder than you;for you great folks must often say to yourselves that you are worth lessthan men value you at, and we know that we are worth more. "

"I have often thought that of you, " exclaimed Rameri, "and there is onewho recognizes your worth; and that is I. Even if it were otherwise, Imust always--always think of you. "

"I have thought of you too, " said Uarda. "Just now, when I was sittingwith my sick grandmother, it passed through my mind how nice it wouldbe if I had a brother just like you. Do you know what I should do if youwere my brother?"

"Well?"

"I should buy you a chariot and horse, and you should go away to theking's war. "

"Are you so rich?" asked Rameri smiling. 

"Oh yes!" answered Uarda. "To be sure, I have not been rich for morethan an hour. Can you read?"

"Yes. "

"Only think, when I was ill they sent a doctor to me from the House ofSeti. He was very clever, but a strange man. He often looked into myeyes like a drunken man, and he stammered when he spoke. "

"Is his name Nebsecht?" asked the prince. 

"Yes, Nebsecht. He planned strange things with grandfather, andafter Pentaur and you had saved us in the frightful attack upon us heinterceded for us. Since then he has not come again, for I was alreadymuch better. Now to-day, about two hours ago, the dog barked, and an oldman, a stranger, came up to me, and said he was Nebsecht's brother, andhad a great deal of money in his charge for me. He gave me a ring too, and said that he would pay the money to him, who took the ring to himfrom me. Then he read this letter to me. "

Rameri took the letter and read. "Nebsecht to the fair Uarda. "

"Nebsecht greets Uarda, and informs her that he owed her grandfatherin Osiris, Pinem--whose body the kolchytes are embalming like that ofa noble--a sum of a thousand gold rings. These he has entrusted to hisbrother Teta to hold ready for her at any moment. She may trust Tetaentirely, for he is honest, and ask him for money whenever she needs it. It would be best that she should ask Teta to take care of the money forher, and to buy her a house and field; then she could remove into it, and live in it free from care with her grandmother. She may wait a year, and then she may choose a husband. Nebsecht loves Uarda much. If at theend of thirteen months he has not been to see her, she had better marrywhom she will; but not before she has shown the jewel left her by hermother to the king's interpreter. "

"How strange!" exclaimed Rameri. "Who would have given the singularphysician, who always wore such dirty clothes, credit for suchgenerosity? But what is this jewel that you have?"

Uarda opened her shirt, and showed the prince the sparkling ornament. 

"Those are diamonds---it is very valuable!" cried the prince; "and therein the middle on the onyx there are sharply engraved signs. I cannotread them, but I will show them to the interpreter. Did your mother wearthat?"

"My father found it on her when she died, " said Uarda. "She came toEgypt as a prisoner of war, and was as white as I am, but dumb, so shecould not tell us the name of her home. "

"She belonged to some great house among the foreigners, and thechildren inherit from the mother, " cried the prince joyfully. "You are aprincess, Uarda! Oh! how glad I am, and how much I love you!"

The girl smiled and said, "Now you will not be afraid to touch thedaughter of the unclean. "

"You are cruel, " replied the prince. "Shall I tell you what I determinedon yesterday, --what would not let me sleep last night, --and for what Icame here today?"

"Well?"

Rameri took a most beautiful white rose out of his robe and said:

"It is very childish, but I thought how it would be if I might put thisflower with my own hands into your shining hair. May I?"

"It is a splendid rose! I never saw such a fine one. "

"It is for my haughty princess. Do pray let me dress your hair! Itis like silk from Tyre, like a swan's breast, like goldenstar-beams--there, it is fixed safely! Nay, leave it so. If the sevenHathors could see you, they would be jealous, for you are fairer thanall of them. "

"How you flatter!" said Uarda, shyly blushing, and looking into hissparkling eyes. 

"Uarda, " said the prince, pressing her hand to his heart. "I have nowbut one wish. Feel how my heart hammers and beats. I believe it willnever rest again till you--yes, Uarda--till you let me give you one, only one, kiss. "

The girl drew back. 

"Now, " she said seriously. "Now I see what you want. Old Hekt knows men, and she warned me. "

"Who is Hekt, and what can she know of me?"

"She told me that the time would come when a man would try to makefriends with me. He would look into my eyes, and if mine met his, thenhe would ask to kiss me. But I must refuse him, because if I likedhim to kiss me he would seize my soul, and take it from me, and I mustwander, like the restless ghosts, which the abyss rejects, and thestorm whirls before it, and the sea will not cover, and the sky will notreceive, soulless to the end of my days. Go away--for I cannot refuseyou the kiss, and yet I would not wander restless, and without a soul!"

"Is the old woman who told you that a good woman?" asked Rameri. 

Uarda shook her head. 

"She cannot be good, " cried the prince. "For she has spoken a falsehood. I will not seize your soul; I will give you mine to be yours, andyou shall give me yours to be mine, and so we shall neither of us bepoorer--but both richer!"

"I should like to believe it, " said Uarda thoughtfully, "and I havethought the same kind of thing. When I was strong, I often had to golate in the evening to fetch water from the landing-place where thegreat water-wheel stands. Thousands of drops fall from the earthenwarepails as it turns, and in each you can see the reflection of a moon, yetthere is only one in the sky. Then I thought to myself, so it must bewith the love in our hearts. We have but one heart, and yet we pour itout into other hearts without its losing in strength or in warmth. Ithought of my grandmother, of my father, of little Scherau, of the Gods, and of Pentaur. Now I should like to give you a part of it too. "

"Only a part?" asked Rameri. 

"Well, the whole will be reflected in you, you know, " said Uarda, "asthe whole moon is reflected in each drop. "

"It shall!" cried the prince, clasping the trembling girl in his arms, and the two young souls were united in their first kiss. 

"Now do go!" Uarda entreated. 

"Let me stay a little while, " said Rameri. "Sit down here by me on thebench in front of the house. The hedge shelters us, and besides thisvalley is now deserted, and there are no passers by. "

"We are doing what is not right, " said Uarda. "If it were right weshould not want to hide ourselves. "

"Do you call that wrong which the priests perform in the Holy ofHolies?" asked the prince. "And yet it is concealed from all eyes. "

"How you can argue!" laughed Uarda. "That shows you can write, and areone of his disciples. "

"His, his!" exclaimed Rameri. "You mean Pentaur. He was always thedearest to me of all my teachers, but it vexes me when you speak of himas if he were more to you than I and every one else. The poet, yousaid, was one of the drops in which the moon of your soul finds areflection--and I will not divide it with many. "

"How you are talking!" said Uarda. "Do you not honor your father, andthe Gods? I love no one else as I do you--and what I felt when youkissed me--that was not like moon-light, but like this hot mid-day sun. When I thought of you I had no peace. I will confess to you now, that twenty times I looked out of the door, and asked whether mypreserver--the kind, curly-headed boy--would really come again, orwhether he despised a poor girl like me? You came, and I am so happy, and I could enjoy myself with you to my heart's content. Be kindagain--or I will pull your hair!"

"You!" cried Rameri. "You cannot hurt with your little hands, though youcan with your tongue. Pentaur is much wiser and better than I, you owemuch to him, and nevertheless I--"

"Let that rest, " interrupted the girl, growing grave. "He is not a manlike other men. If he asked to kiss me, I should crumble into dust, asashes dried in the sun crumble if you touch them with a finger, andI should be as much afraid of his lips as of a lion's. Though you maylaugh at it, I shall always believe that he is one of the Immortals. His own father told me that a great wonder was shown to him the veryday after his birth. Old Hekt has often sent me to the gardener witha message to enquire after his son, and though the man is rough he iskind. At first he was not friendly, but when he saw how much I likedhis flowers he grew fond of me, and set me to work to tie wreaths andbunches, and to carry them to his customers. As we sat together, layingthe flowers side by side, he constantly told me something about his son, and his beauty and goodness and wisdom. When he was quite a little boyhe could write poems, and he learned to read before any one had shownhim how. The high-priest Ameni heard of it and took him to the House ofSeti, and there he improved, to the astonishment of the gardener;not long ago I went through the garden with the old man. He talked ofPentaur as usual, and then stood still before a noble shrub with broadleaves, and said, My son is like this plant, which has grown up close tome, and I know not how. I laid the seed in the soil, with others that Ibought over there in Thebes; no one knows where it came from, and yet itis my own. It certainly is not a native of Egypt; and is not Pentaur ashigh above me and his mother and his brothers, as this shrub is abovethe other flowers? We are all small and bony, and he is tall and slim;our skin is dark and his is rosy; our speech is hoarse, his as sweet asa song. I believe he is a child of the Gods that the Immortals havelaid in my homely house. Who knows their decrees?' And then I often sawPentaur at the festivals, and asked myself which of the other priestsof the temple came near him in height and dignity? I took him for aGod, and when I saw him who saved my life overcome a whole mob withsuperhuman strength must I not regard him as a superior Being? I look upto him as to one of them; but I could never look in his eyes as I do inyours. It would not make my blood flow faster, it would freeze it inmy veins. How can I say what I mean! my soul looks straight out, andit finds you; but to find him it must look up to the heavens. You are afresh rose-garland with which I crown myself--he is a sacred persea-treebefore which I bow. "

Rameri listened to her in silence, and then said, "I am still young, andhave done nothing yet, but the time shall come in which you shalllook up to me too as to a tree, not perhaps a sacred tree, but as to asycamore under whose shade we love to rest. I am no longer gay; I willleave you for I have a serious duty to fulfil. Pentaur is a completeman, and I will be one too. But you shall be the rose-garland to graceme. Men who can be compared to flowers disgust me!"

The prince rose, and offered Uarda his hand. 

"You have a strong hand, " said the girl. "You will be a noble man, andwork for good and great ends; only look, my fingers are quite red withbeing held so tightly. But they too are not quite useless. They havenever done anything very hard certainly, but what they tend flourishes, and grandmother says they are 'lucky. ' Look at the lovely lilies and thepomegrenate bush in that corner. Grandfather brought the earth here fromthe Nile, Pentaur's father gave me the seeds, and each little plant thatventured to show a green shoot through the soil I sheltered and nursedand watered, though I had to fetch the water in my little pitcher, tillit was vigorous, and thanked me with flowers. Take this pomegranateflower. It is the first my tree has borne; and it is very strange, whenthe bud first began to lengthen and swell my grandmother said, 'Now yourheart will soon begin to bud and love. ' I know now what she meant, andboth the first flowers belong to you--the red one here off the tree, and the other, which you cannot see, but which glows as brightly as thisdoes. "

Rameri pressed the scarlet blossom to his lips, and stretched out hishand toward Uarda; but she shrank back, for a little figure slippedthrough an opening in the hedge. 

It was Scherau. 

His pretty little face glowed with his quick run, and his breath wasgone. For a few minutes he tried in vain for words, and looked anxiouslyat the prince. 

Uarda saw that something unusual agitated him; she spoke to him kindly, saying that if he wished to speak to her alone he need not be afraid ofRameri, for he was her best friend. 

"But it does not concern you and me, " replied the child, "but the good, holy father Pentaur, who was so kind to me, and who saved your life. "

"I am a great friend of Pentaur, " said the prince. "Is it not true, Uarda? He may speak with confidence before me. "

"I may?" said Scherau, "that is well. I have slipped away; Hekt may comeback at any moment, and if she sees that I have taken myself off I shallget a beating and nothing to eat. "

"Who is this horrible Hekt?" asked Rameri indignantly. 

"That Uarda can tell you by and by, " said the little one hurriedly. "Nowonly listen. She laid me on my board in the cave, and threw a sack overme, and first came Nemu, and then another man, whom she spoke to asSteward. She talked to him a long time. At first I did not listen, butthen I caught the name of Pentaur, and I got my head out, and nowI understand it all. The steward declared that the good Pentaur waswicked, and stood in his way, and he said that Ameni was going tosend him to the quarries at Chennu, but that that was much too smalla punishment. Then Hekt advised him to give a secret commission tothe captain of the ship to go beyond Chennu, to the frightfulmountain-mines, of which she has often told me, for her father and herbrother were tormented to death there. "

"None ever return from thence, " said the prince. "But go on. "

"What came next, I only half understood, but they spoke of some drinkthat makes people mad. Oh! what I see and hear!--I would he contentedlyon my board all my life long, but all else is too horrible--I wish thatI were dead. "

And the child began to cry bitterly. 

Uarda, whose cheeks had turned pale, patted him affectionately; butRameri exclaimed:

"It is frightful! unheard of! But who was the steward? did you not hearhis name? Collect yourself, little man, and stop crying. It is a caseof life and death. Who was the scoundrel? Did she not name him? Try toremember. "

Scherau bit his red lips, and tried for composure. His tears ceased, andsuddenly he exclaimed, as he put his hand into the breast of his raggedlittle garment: "Stay, perhaps you will know him again--I made him!"

"You did what?" asked the prince. 

"I made him, " repeated the little artist, and he carefully brought outan object wrapped up in a scrap of rag, "I could just see his head quiteclearly from one side all the time he was speaking, and my clay lay byme. I always must model something when my mind is excited, and thistime I quickly made his face, and as the image was successful, I kept itabout me to show to the master when Hekt was out. "

While he spoke he had carefully unwrapped the figure with tremblingfingers, and had given it to Uarda. 

"Ani!" cried the prince. "He, and no other! Who could have thought it!What spite has he against Pentaur? What is the priest to him?"

For a moment he reflected, then he struck his hand against his forehead. 

"Fool that I am!" he exclaimed vehemently. "Child that I am! of course, of course; I see it all. Ani asked for Bent-Anat's hand, and she--nowthat I love you, Uarda, I understand what ails her. Away with deceit! Iwill tell you no more lies, Uarda. I am no page of honor to Bent-Anat;I am her brother, and king Rameses' own son. Do not cover your face withyour hands, Uarda, for if I had not seen your mother's jewel, and if Iwere not only a prince, but Horus himself, the son of Isis, I must haveloved you, and would not have given you up. But now other things have tobe done besides lingering with you; now I will show you that I am a man, now that Pentaur is to be saved. Farewell, Uarda, and think of me!"

He would have hurried off, but Scherau held him by the robe, and saidtimidly: "Thou sayst thou art Rameses' son. Hekt spoke of him too. Shecompared him to our moulting hawk. "

"She shall soon feel the talons of the royal eagle, " cried Rameri. "Oncemore, farewell!"

He gave Uarda his hand, she pressed it passionately to her lips, but hedrew it away, kissed her forehead, and was gone. 

The maiden looked after him pale and speechless. She saw another manhastening towards her, and recognizing him as her father, she wentquickly to meet him. The soldier had come to take leave of her, he hadto escort some prisoners. 

"To Chennu?" asked Uarda. 

"No, to the north, " replied the man. 

His daughter now related what she had heard, and asked whether he couldhelp the priest, who had saved her. 

"If I had money, if I had money!" muttered the soldier to himself. 

"We have some, " cried Uarda; she told him of Nebsecht's gift, and said:"Take me over the Nile, and in two hours you will have enough to make aman rich. 

 [It may be observed that among the Egyptian women were qualified to own and dispose of property. For example a papyrus (vii) in the Louvre contains an agreement between Asklepias (called Semmuthis), the daughter or maid-servant of a corpse-dresser of Thebes, who is the debtor, and Arsiesis, the creditor, the son of a kolchytes; both therefore are of the same rank as Uarda. ]

But no; I cannot leave my sick grandmother. You yourself take the ring, and remember that Pentaur is being punished for having dared to protectus. "

"I remember it, " said the soldier. "I have but one life, but I willwillingly give it to save his. I cannot devise schemes, but I knowsomething, and if it succeeds he need not go to the gold-mines. I willput the wine-flask aside--give me a drink of water, for the next fewhours I must keep a sober head. "

"There is the water, and I will pour in a mouthful of wine. Will youcome back and bring me news?"

"That will not do, for we set sail at midnight, but if some one returnsto you with the ring you will know that what I propose has succeeded. "

Uarda went into the hut, her father followed her; he took leave of hissick mother and of his daughter. When they went out of doors again, hesaid: "You have to live on the princess's gift till I return, and I donot want half of the physician's present. But where is your pomegranateblossom?"

"I have picked it and preserved it in a safe place. "

"Strange things are women!" muttered the bearded man; he tenderly kissedhis child's forehead, and returned to the Nile down the road by which hehad come. 

The prince meanwhile had hurried on, and enquired in the harbor of theNecropolis where the vessel destined for Chennu was lying--for the shipsloaded with prisoners were accustomed to sail from this side of theriver, starting at night. Then he was ferried over the river, andhastened to Bent-Anat. He found her and Nefert in unusual excitement, for the faithful chamberlain had learned--through some friends of theking in Ani's suite--that the Regent had kept back all the lettersintended for Syria, and among them those of the royal family. 

A lord in waiting, who was devoted to the king, had been encouraged bythe chamberlain to communicate to Bent-Anat other things, which hardlyallowed any doubts as to the ambitious projects of her uncle; she wasalso exhorted to be on her guard with Nefert, whose mother was theconfidential adviser of the Regent. 

Bent-Anat smiled at this warning, and sent at once a message to Anito inform him that she was ready to undertake the pilgrimage to the"Emerald-Hathor, " and to be purified in the sanctuary of that Goddess. 

She purposed sending a message to her father from thence, and if hepermitted it, joining him at the camp. 

She imparted this plan to her friend, and Nefert thought any road bestthat would take her to her husband. 

Rameri was soon initiated into all this, and in return he told them allhe had learned, and let Bent-Anat guess that he had read her secret. 

So dignified, so grave, were the conduct and the speech of the boy whohad so lately been an overhearing mad-cap, that Bent-Anat thought toherself that the danger of their house had suddenly ripened a boy into aman. 

She had in fact no objection to raise to his arrangements. He proposedto travel after sunset, with a few faithful servants on swift horses asfar as Keft, and from thence ride fast across the desert to the Red Sea, where they could take a Phoenician ship, and sail to Aila. From thencethey would cross the peninsula of Sinai, and strive to reach theEgyptian army by forced marches, and make the king acquainted with Ani'scriminal attempts. 

To Bent-Anat was given the task of rescuing Pentaur, with the help ofthe faithful chamberlain. 

Money was fortunately not wanting, as the high treasurer was on theirside. All depended on their inducing the captain to stop at Chennu; thepoet's fate would there, at the worst, be endurable. At the same time, a trustworthy messenger was to be sent to the governor of Chennu, commanding him in the name of the king to detain every ship that mightpass the narrows of Chennu by night, and to prevent any of the prisonersthat had been condemned to the quarries from being smuggled on toEthiopia. 

Rameri took leave of the two women, and he succeeded in leaving Thebesunobserved. 

Bent-Anat knelt in prayer before the images of her mother in Osiris, of Hathor, and of the guardian Gods of her house, till the chamberlainreturned, and told her that he had persuaded the captain of the ship tostop at Chennu, and to conceal from Ani that he had betrayed his charge. 

The princess breathed more freely, for she had come to a resolution thatif the chamberlain had failed in his mission, she would cross overto the Necropolis forbid the departure of the vessel, and in the lastextremity rouse the people, who were devoted to her, against Ani. 

The following morning the Lady Katuti craved permission of the princessto see her daughter. Bent-Anat did not show herself to the widow, whoseefforts failed to keep her daughter from accompanying the princess onher journey, or to induce her to return home. Angry and uneasy, theindignant mother hastened to Ani, and implored him to keep Nefert athome by force; but the Regent wished to avoid attracting attention, andto let Bent-Anat set out with a feeling of complete security. 

"Do not be uneasy, " he said. "I will give the ladies a trustworthyescort, who will keep them at the Sanctuary of the 'Emerald-Hathor' tillall is settled. There you can deliver Nefert to Paaker, if you stilllike to have him for a son-in-law after hearing several things that Ihave learned. As for me, in the end I may induce my haughty niece tolook up instead of down; I may be her second love, though for thatmatter she certainly is not my first. "

On the following day the princess set out. 

Ani took leave of her with kindly formality, which she returned withcoolness. The priesthood of the temple of Amon, with old Bek en Chunsuat their head, escorted her to the harbor. The people on the banksshouted Bent-Anat's name with a thousand blessings, but many insultingwords were to be heard also. 

The pilgrim's Nile-boat was followed by two others, full of soldiers, who accompanied the ladies "to protect them. "

The south-wind filled the sails, and carried the little processionswiftly down the stream. The princess looked now towards the palace ofher fathers, now towards the tombs and temples of the Necropolis. Atlast even the colossus of Anienophis disappeared, and the last housesof Thebes. The brave maiden sighed deeply, and tears rolled down herchecks. She felt as if she were flying after a lost battle, and yet notwholly discouraged, but hoping for future victory. As she turned to goto the cabin, a veiled girl stepped up to her, took the veil from herface, and said: "Pardon me, princess; I am Uarda, whom thou didst runover, and to whom thou hast since been so good. My grandmother is dead, and I am quite alone. I slipped in among thy maid-servants, for I wishto follow thee, and to obey all thy commands. Only do not send me away. "

"Stay, dear child, " said the princess, laying her hand on her hair. 

Then, struck by its wonderful beauty, she remembered her brother, andhis wish to place a rose in Uarda's shining tresses. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Two months had past since Bent-Anat's departure from Thebes, and theimprisonment of Pentaur. Ant-Baba is the name of the valley, in thewestern half of the peninsula of Sinai, [I have described in detail the peninsula of Sinai, its history, and the sacred places on it, in my book "Durch Gosen zum Sinai, " published in 1872. In depicting this scenery in the present romance, I have endeavored to reproduce the reality as closely as possible. He who has wandered through this wonderful mountain wilderness can never forget it. The valley now called "Laba, " bore the same name in the time of the Pharaohs. ]

through which a long procession of human beings, and of beasts ofburden, wended their way. 

It was winter, and yet the mid-day sun sent down glowing rays, whichwere reflected from the naked rocks. In front of the caravan marched acompany of Libyan soldiers, and another brought up the rear. Each manwas armed with a dagger and battle-axe, a shield and a lance, andwas ready to use his weapons; for those whom they were escorting wereprisoners from the emerald-mines, who had been convoyed to the shores ofthe Red Sea to carry thither the produce of the mines, and had received, as a return-load, provisions which had arrived from Egypt, and whichwere to be carried to the storehouses of the mountain mines. Bent andpanting, they made their way along. Each prisoner had a copper chainriveted round his ankles, and torn rags hanging round their loins, werethe only clothing of these unhappy beings, who, gasping under the weightof the sacks they had to carry, kept their staring eyes fixed on theground. If one of them threatened to sink altogether under his burden, he was refreshed by the whip of one of the horsemen, who accompanied thecaravan. Many a one found it hard to choose whether he could best endurethe suffering of mere endurance, or the torture of the lash. 

No one spoke a word, neither the prisoners nor their guards; and eventhose who were flogged did not cry out, for their powers were exhausted, and in the souls of their drivers there was no more impulse of pitythan there was a green herb on the rocks by the way. This melancholyprocession moved silently onwards, like a procession of phantoms, andthe ear was only made aware of it when now and then a low groan brokefrom one of the victims. 

The sandy path, trodden by their naked feet, gave no sound, themountains seemed to withhold their shade, the light of clay was atorment--every thing far and near seemed inimical to the living. Not aplant, not a creeping thing, showed itself against the weird formsof the barren grey and brown rocks, and no soaring bird tempted theoppressed wretches to raise their eyes to heaven. 

In the noontide heat of the previous day they had started with theirloads from the harbor-creek. For two hours they had followed the shoreof the glistening, blue-green sea, [The Red Sea--in Hebrew and Coptic the reedy sea--is of a lovely blue green color. According to the Ancients it was named red either from its red banks or from the Erythraeans, who were called the red people. On an early inscription it is called "the water of the Red country. " See "Durch Gosen zum Sinai. "]

then they had climbed a rocky shoulder and crossed a small plateau. Theyhad paused for their night's rest in the gorge which led to the mines;the guides and soldiers lighted fires, grouped themselves round them, and lay down to sleep under the shelter of a cleft in the rocks; theprisoners stretched themselves on the earth in the middle of thevalley without any shelter, and shivering with the cold which suddenlysucceeded the glowing heat of the day. The benumbed wretches now lookedforward to the crushing misery of the morning's labor as eagerly as, afew hours since, they had longed for the night, and for rest. 

Lentil-broth and hard bread in abundance, but a very small quantity ofwater was given to them before they started; then they set out throughthe gorge, which grew hotter and hotter, and through ravines where theycould pass only one by one. Every now and then it seemed as if thepath came to an end, but each time it found an outlet, and went on--asendless as the torment of the wayfarers. 

Mighty walls of rock composed the view, looking as if they were formedof angular masses of hewn stone piled up in rows; and of all theminers one, and one only, had eyes for these curious structures of theever-various hand of Nature. 

This one had broader shoulders than his companions, and his burdenWeighed on him comparatively lightly. "In this solitude, " thought he, "which repels man, and forbids his passing his life here, the Chnemu, the laborers who form the world, have spared themselves the trouble offilling up the seams, and rounding off the corners. How is it that Manshould have dedicated this hideous land--in which even the human heartseems to be hardened against all pity--to the merciful Hathor? Perhapsbecause it so sorely stands in need of the joy and peace which theloving goddess alone can bestow. "

"Keep the line, Huni!" shouted a driver. 

The man thus addressed, closed up to the next man, the panting leechNebsecht. We know the other stronger prisoner. It is Pentaur, who hadbeen entered as Huni on the lists of mine-laborers, and was called bythat name. The file moved on; at every step the ascent grew more rugged. Red and black fragments of stone, broken as small as if by the hand ofman, lay in great heaps, or strewed the path which led up the almostperpendicular cliff by imperceptible degrees. Here another gorge openedbefore them, and this time there seemed to be no outlet. 

"Load the asses less!" cried the captain of the escort to the prisoners. Then he turned to the soldiers, and ordered them, when the beasts wereeased, to put the extra burthens on the men. Putting forth theirutmost strength, the overloaded men labored up the steep and hardlydistinguishable mountain path. 

The man in front of Pentaur, a lean old man, when half way up thehill-side, fell in a heap under his load, and a driver, who in a narrowdefile could not reach the bearers, threw a stone at him to urge him toa renewed effort. 

The old man cried out at the blow, and at the cry--the paraschitesstricken down with stones--his own struggle with the mob--and theappearance of Bent Anat flashed into Pentaur's memory. Pity and a senseof his own healthy vigor prompted him to energy; he hastily snatched thesack from the shoulders of the old man, threw it over his own, helped upthe fallen wretch, and finally men and beasts succeeded in mounting therocky wall. 

The pulses throbbed in Pentaur's temples, and he shuddered with horror, as he looked down from the height of the pass into the abyss below, andround upon the countless pinnacles and peaks, cliffs and precipices, in many-colored rocks-white and grey, sulphurous yellow, blood-red andominous black. He recalled the sacred lake of Muth in Thebes, roundwhich sat a hundred statues of the lion-headed Goddess in black basalt, each on a pedestal; and the rocky peaks, which surrounded the valleyat his feet, seemed to put on a semblance of life and to move andopen their yawning jaws; through the wild rush of blood in his ears hefancied he heard them roar, and the load beyond his strength which hecarried gave him a sensation as though their clutch was on his breast. 

Nevertheless he reached the goal. 

The other prisoners flung their loads from their shoulders, and threwthemselves down to rest. Mechanically he did the same: his pulses beatmore calmly, by degrees the visions faded from his senses, he saw andheard once more, and his brain recovered its balance. The old man andNebsecht were lying beside him. 

His grey-haired companion rubbed the swollen veins in his neck, andcalled down all the blessings of the Gods upon his head; but the captainof the caravan cut him short, exclaiming:

"You have strength for three, Huni; farther on, we will load you moreheavily. "

"How much the kindly Gods care for our prayers for the blessing ofothers!" exclaimed Nebsecht. "How well they know how to reward a goodaction!"

"I am rewarded enough, " said Pentaur, looking kindly at the old man. "But you, you everlasting scoffer--you look pale. How do you feel?"

"As if I were one of those donkeys there, " replied the naturalist. "Myknees shake like theirs, and I think and I wish neither more nor lessthan they do; that is to say--I would we were in our stalls. "

"If you can think, " said Pentaur smiling, "you are not so very bad. "

"I had a good thought just now, when you were staring up into the sky. The intellect, say the priestly sages, is a vivifying breath of theeternal spirit, and our soul is the mould or core for the mass of matterwhich we call a human being. I sought the spirit at first in the heart, then in the brain; but now I know that it resides in the arms and legs, for when I have strained them I find thought is impossible. I am tootired to enter on further evidence, but for the future I shall treat mylegs with the utmost consideration. "

"Quarrelling again you two? On again, men!" cried the driver. 

The weary wretches rose slowly, the beasts were loaded, and on went thepitiable procession, so as to reach the mines before sunset. 

The destination of the travellers was a wide valley, closed in by twohigh and rocky mountain-slopes; it was called Ta Mafka by the Egyptians, Dophka by the Hebrews. The southern cliff-wall consisted of darkgranite, the northern of red sandstone; in a distant branch of thevalley lay the mines in which copper was found. In the midst of thevalley rose a hill, surrounded by a wall, and crowned with small stonehouses, for the guard, the officers, and the overseers. According to theold regulations, they were without roofs, but as many deaths and muchsickness had occurred among the workmen in consequence of the coldnights, they had been slightly sheltered with palm-branches brought fromthe oasis of the Alnalckites, at no great distance. 

On the uttermost peak of the hill, where it was most exposed to thewind, were the smelting furnaces, and a manufactory where a peculiargreen glass was prepared, which was brought into the market under thename of Mafkat, that is to say, emerald. The genuine precious stone wasfound farther to the south, on the western shore of the Red Sea, and washighly prized in Egypt. 

Our friends had already for more than a month belonged to themining-community of the Mafkat valley, and Pentaur had never learnedhow it was that he had been brought hither with his companion Nebsecht, instead of going to the sandstone quarries of Chennu. 

That Uarda's father had effected this change was beyond a doubt, and thepoet trusted the rough but honest soldier who still kept near him, andgave him credit for the best intentions, although he had only spoken tohim once since their departure from Thebes. 

That was the first night, when he had come up to Pentaur, and whispered:"I am looking after you. You will find the physician Nebsecht here; buttreat each other as enemies rather than as friends, if you do not wishto be parted. "

Pentaur had communicated the soldier's advice to Nebsecht, and he hadfollowed it in his own way. 

It afforded him a secret pleasure to see how Pentaur's life contradictedthe belief in a just and beneficent ordering of the destinies of men;and the more he and the poet were oppressed, the more bitter was theirony, often amounting to extravagance, with which the mocking scepticattacked him. 

He loved Pentaur, for the poet had in his keeping the key which alonecould give admission to the beautiful world which lay locked up in hisown soul; but yet it was easy to him, if he thought they were observed, to play his part, and to overwhelm Pentaur with words which, to thedrivers, were devoid of meaning, and which made them laugh by thestrange blundering fashion in which he stammered them out. 

"A belabored husk of the divine self-consciousness. " "An advocate ofrighteousness hit on the mouth. " "A juggler who makes as much of thisworst of all possible worlds as if it were the best. " "An admirer of thelovely color of his blue bruises. " These and other terms of invective, intelligible only to himself and his butt, he could always pour out innew combinations, exciting Pentaur to sharp and often witty rejoinders, equally unintelligible to the uninitiated. 

Frequently their sparring took the form of a serious discussion, whichserved a double purpose; first their minds, accustomed to seriousthought, found exercise in spite of the murderous pressure of the burdenof forced labor, and secondly, they were supposed really to be enemies. They slept in the same court-yard, and contrived, now and then, toexchange a few words in secret; but by day Nebsecht worked in theturquoise-diggings, and Pentaur in the mines, for the careful chippingout of the precious stones from their stony matrix was the work bestsuited to the slight physician, while Pentaur's giant-strength wasfitted for hewing the ore out of the hard rock. The drivers often lookedin surprise at his powerful strokes, as he flung his pick against thestone. 

The stupendous images that in such moments of wild energy rose beforethe poet's soul, the fearful or enchanting tones that rang in hisspirit's ear-none could guess at. 

Usually his excited fancy showed him the form of Bent-Anat, surroundedby a host of men--and these he seemed to fell to the earth, one-by-one, as-he hewed the rock. Often in the middle of his work he would stop, throw down his pick-axe, and spread out his arms--but only to drop themwith a deep groan, and wipe the sweat from his brow. 

The overseers did not know what to think of this powerful youth, whooften was as gentle as a child, and then seemed possessed of that demonto which so many of the convicts fell victims. He had indeed become ariddle to himself; for how was it that he--the gardener's son, broughtup in the peaceful temple of Seti--ever since that night by the houseof the paraschites had had such a perpetual craving for conflict andstruggle?

The weary gangs were gone to rest; a bright fire still blazed in frontof the house of the superintendent of the mines, and round it squattedin a circle the overseers and the subalterns of the troops. 

"Put the wine-jar round again, " said the captain, "for we must holdgrave council. Yesterday I had orders from the Regent to send half theguard to Pelusium. He requires soldiers, but we are so few in numberthat if the convicts knew it they might make short work of us, evenwithout arms. There are stones enough hereabouts, and by day they havetheir hammer and chisel. Things are worst among the Hebrews in thecopper-mines; they are a refractory crew that must be held tight. Youknow me well, fear is unknown to me--but I feel great anxiety. The lastfuel is now burning in this fire, and the smelting furnaces and theglass-foundry must not stand idle. Tomorrow we must send men to Raphidim

 [The oasis at the foot of Horeb, where the Jews under Joshua's command conquered the Amalekites, while Aaron and Hur held up Moses' arms. Exodus 17, 8. ]

to obtain charcoal from the Amalekites. They owe us a hundred loadsstill. Load the prisoners with some copper, to make them tired and thenatives civil. What can we do to procure what we want, and yet not toweaken the forces here too much?"

Various opinions were given, and at last it was settled that a smalldivision, guarded by a few soldiers, should be sent out every day tosupply only the daily need for charcoal. 

It was suggested that the most dangerous of the convicts should befettered together in pairs to perform their duties. 

The superintendent was of opinion that two strong men fettered togetherwould be more to be feared if only they acted in concert. 

"Then chain a strong one to a weak one, " said the chief accountant ofthe mines, whom the Egyptians called the 'scribe of the metals. ' "Andfetter those together who are enemies. "

"The colossal Huni, for instance, to that puny spat row, the stutteringNebsecht, " said a subaltern. 

"I was thinking of that very couple, " said the accountant laughing. 

Three other couples were selected, at first with some laughter, butfinally with serious consideration, and Uarda's father was sent with thedrivers as an escort. 

On the following morning Pentaur and Nebsecht were fettered togetherwith a copper chain, and when the sun was at its height four pairs ofprisoners, heavily loaded with copper, set out for the Oasis of theAmalekites, accompanied by six soldiers and the son of the paraschites, to fetch fuel for the smelting furnaces. 

They rested near the town of Alus, and then went forward again betweenbare walls of greyish-green and red porphyry. These cliffs rose higherand higher, but from time to time, above the lower range, they could seethe rugged summit of some giant of the range, though, bowed under theirheavy loads, they paid small heed to it. 

The sun was near setting when they reached the little sanctuary of the'Emerald-Hathor. '

A few grey and black birds here flew towards them, and Pentaur gazed atthem with delight. 

How long he had missed the sight of a bird, and the sound of their chirpand song! Nebsecht said: "There are some birds--we must be near water. "

And there stood the first palm-tree!

Now the murmur of the brook was perceptible, and its tiny sound touchedthe thirsty souls of the travellers as rain falls on dry grass. 

On the left bank of the stream an encampment of Egyptian soldiers formeda large semicircle, enclosing three large tents made of costly materialstriped with blue and white, and woven with gold thread. Nothing was tobe seen of the inhabitants of these tents, but when the prisonershad passed them, and the drivers were exchanging greetings with theout-posts, a girl, in the long robe of an Egyptian, came towards them, and looked at them. 

Pentaur started as if he had seen a ghost; but Nebsecht gave expressionto his astonishment in a loud cry. 

At the same instant a driver laid his whip across their shoulders, andcried laughing:

"You may hit each other as hard as you like with words, but not withyour hands. "

Then he turned to his companions, and said: "Did you see the pretty girlthere, in front of the tent?"

"It is nothing to us!" answered the man he addressed. "She belongs tothe princess's train. She has been three weeks here on a visit to theholy shrine of Hathor. "

"She must have committed some heavy sin, " replied the other. "If shewere one of us, she would have been set to sift sand in the diggings, or grind colors, and not be living here in a gilt tent. Where is ourred-beard?"

Uarda's father had lingered a little behind the party, for the girl hadsigned to him, and exchanged a few words with him. 

"Have you still an eye for the fair ones?" asked the youngest of thedrivers when he rejoined the gang. 

"She is a waiting maid of the princess, " replied the soldier not withoutembarrassment. "To-morrow morning we are to carry a letter from her tothe scribe of the mines, and if we encamp in the neighborhood she willsend us some wine for carrying it. "

"The old red-beard scents wine as a fox scents a goose. Let us encamphere; one never knows what may be picked up among the Mentu, and thesuperintendent said we were to encamp outside the oasis. Put down yoursacks, men! Here there is fresh water, and perhaps a few dates and sweetManna for you to eat with it. 

 ["Man" is the name still given by the Bedouins of Sinai to the sweet gum which exudes from the Tamarix mannifera. It is the result of the puncture of an insect, and occurs chiefly in May. By many it is supposed to be the Manna of the Bible. ]

But keep the peace, you two quarrelsome fellows--Huni and Nebsecht. "

Bent-Anat's journey to the Emerald-Hathor was long since ended. As faras Keft she had sailed down the Nile with her escort, from thence shehad crossed the desert by easy marches, and she had been obliged to waita full week in the port on the Red Sea, which was chiefly inhabitedby Phoenicians, for a ship which had finally brought her to the littleseaport of Pharan. From Pharan she had crossed the mountains to theoasis, where the sanctuary she was to visit stood on the northern side. 

The old priests, who conducted the service of the Goddess, had receivedthe daughter of Rameses with respect, and undertook to restore her tocleanness by degrees with the help of the water from the mountain-streamwhich watered the palm-grove of the Amalekites, of incense-burning, ofpious sentences, and of a hundred other ceremonies. At last the Goddessdeclared herself satisfied, and Bent-Anat wished to start for the northand join her father, but the commander of the escort, a grey-headedEthiopian field officer--who had been promoted to a high grade byAni--explained to the Chamberlain that he had orders to detain theprincess in the oasis until her departure was authorized by the Regenthimself. 

Bent-Anat now hoped for the support of her father, for her brotherRameri, if no accident had occurred to him, might arrive any day. But invain. 

The position of the ladies was particularly unpleasant, for they feltthat they had been caught in a trap, and were in fact prisoners. Inaddition to this their Ethiopian escort had quarrelled with thenatives of the oasis, and every day skirmishes took place under theireyes--indeed lately one of these fights had ended in bloodshed. 

Bent-Anat was sick at heart. The two strong pinions of her soul, whichhad always borne her so high above other women--her princely pride andher bright frankness--seemed quite broken; she felt that she had lovedonce, never to love again, and that she, who had sought none of herhappiness in dreams, but all in work, had bestowed the best half of heridentity on a vision. Pentaur's image took a more and more vivid, and atthe same time nobler and loftier, aspect in her mind; but he himself haddied for her, for only once had a letter reached them from Egypt, andthat was from Katuti to Nefert. After telling her that late intelligenceestablished the statement that her husband had taken a prince'sdaughter, who had been made prisoner, to his tent as his share of thebooty, she added the information that the poet Pentaur, who had beencondemned to forced labor, had not reached the mountain mines, but, aswas supposed, had perished on the road. 

Nefert still held to her immovable belief that her husband was faithfulto his love for her, and the magic charm of a nature made beautiful byits perfect mastery over a deep and pure passion made itself felt inthese sad and heavy days. 

It seemed as though she had changed parts with Bent-Anat. Alwayshopeful, every day she foretold help from the king for the next; intruth she was ready to believe that, when Mena learned from Rameri thatshe was with the princess, he himself would come to fetch them if hisduties allowed it. In her hours of most lively expectation she could goso far as to picture how the party in the tents would be divided, andwho would bear Bent-Anat company if Mena took her with him to his camp, on what spot of the oasis it would be best to pitch it, and much more inthe same vein. 

Uarda could very well take her place with Bent-Anat, for the childhad developed and improved on the journey. The rich clothes which theprincess had given her became her as if she had never worn any others;she could obey discreetly, disappear at the right moment, and, when shewas invited, chatter delightfully. Her laugh was silvery, and nothingconsoled Bent-Anat so much as to hear it. 

Her songs too pleased the two friends, though the few that she knew weregrave and sorrowful. She had learned them by listening to old Hekt, whooften used to play on a lute in the dusk, and who, when she perceivedthat Uarda caught the melodies, had pointed out her faults, and givenher advice. 

"She may some day come into my hands, " thought the witch, "and thebetter she sings, the better she will be paid. "

Bent-Anat too tried to teach Uarda, but learning to read was not easy tothe girl, however much pains she might take. Nevertheless, the princesswould not give up the spelling, for here, at the foot of the immensesacred mountain at whose summit she gazed with mixed horror and longing, she was condemned to inactivity, which weighed the more heavily on herin proportion as those feelings had to be kept to herself which shelonged to escape from in work. Uarda knew the origin of her mistress'sdeep grief, and revered her for it, as if it were something sacred. Often she would speak of Pentaur and of his father, and always in such amanner that the princess could not guess that she knew of their love. 

When the prisoners were passing Bent-Anat's tent, she was sitting withinwith Nefert, and talking, as had become habitual in the hours of dusk, of her father, of Mena, Rameri, and Pentaur. 

"He is still alive, " asserted Nefert. "My mother, you see, says that noone knows with certainty what became of him. If he escaped, he beyonda doubt tried to reach the king's camp, and when we get there you willfind him with your father. "

The princess looked sadly at the ground. Nefert looked affectionately ather, and asked:

"Are you thinking of the difference in rank which parts you from the manyou have chosen?"

"The man to whom I offer my hand, I put in the rank of a prince, " saidBent-Anat. "But if I could set Pentaur on a throne, as master of theworld, he would still be greater and better than I. "

"But your father?" asked Nefert doubtfully. 

"He is my friend, he will listen to me and understand me. He shall knoweverything when I see him; I know his noble and loving heart. "

Both were silent for some time; then Bent-Anat spoke:

"Pray have lights brought, I want to finish my weaving. "

Nefert rose, went to the door of the tent, and there met Uarda; sheseized Nefert's hand, and silently drew her out into the air. 

"What is the matter, child? you are trembling, " Nefert exclaimed. 

"My father is here, " answered Uarda hastily. "He is escorting someprisoners from the mines of Mafkat. Among them there are two chainedtogether, and one of them--do not be startled--one of them is the poetPentaur. Stop, for God's sake, stop, and hear me. Twice before I haveseen my father when he has been here with convicts. To-day we mustrescue Pentaur; but the princess must know nothing of it, for if my planfails--"

"Child! girl!" interrupted Nefert eagerly. "How can I help you?"

"Order the steward to give the drivers of the gang a skin of wine in thename of the princess, and out of Bent-Anat's case of medicines take thephial which contains the sleeping draught, which, in spite of your wish, she will not take. I will wait here, and I know how to use it. "

Nefert immediately found the steward, and ordered him to follow Uardawith a skin of wine. Then she went back to the princess's tent, andopened the medicine case. 

 [A medicine case, belonging to a more ancient period than the reign of Rameses, is preserved in the Berlin Museum. ]

"What do you want?" asked Bent-Anat. 

"A remedy for palpitation, " replied Nefert; she quietly took the flaskshe needed, and in a few minutes put it into Uarda's hand. 

The girl asked the steward to open the wine-skin, and let her taste theliquor. While she pretended to drink it, she poured the whole contentsof the phial into the wine, and then let Bent-Anat's bountiful presentbe carried to the thirsty drivers. 

She herself went towards the kitchen tent, and found a young Amalekitesitting on the ground with the princess's servants. He sprang up as soonas he saw the damsel. 

"I have brought four fine partridges, "

 [A brook springs on the peak called by the Sinaitic monks Mr. St. Katherine, which is called the partridge's spring, and of which many legends are told. For instance, God created it for the partridges which accompanied the angels who carried St. Katharine of Alexandria to her tomb on Sinai. ]

he said, "which I snared myself, and I have brought this turquoise foryou--my brother found it in a rock. This stone brings good luck, and isgood for the eyes; it gives victory over our enemies, and keeps away baddreams. "

"Thank you!" said Uarda, and taking the boy's hand, as he gave her thesky-blue stone, she led him forward into the dusk. 

"Listen, Salich" she said softly, as soon as she thought they were farenough from the others. "You are a good boy, and the maids told me thatyou said I was a star that had come down from the sky to become a woman. No one says such a thing as that of any one they do not like verymuch; and I know you like me, for you show me that you do every day bybringing me flowers, when you carry the game that your father gets tothe steward. Tell me, will you do me and the princess too a very greatservice? Yes?--and willingly? Yes? I knew you would! Now listen. Afriend of the great lady Bent-Anat, who will come here to-night, mustbe hidden for a day, perhaps several days, from his pursuers. Can he, or rather can they, for there will probably be two, find shelter andprotection in your father's house, which lies high up there on thesacred mountain?"

"Whoever I take to my father, " said the boy, "will be made welcome;and we defend our guests first, and then ourselves. Where are thestrangers?"

"They will arrive in a few hours. Will you wait here till the moon iswell up?"

"Till the last of all the thousand moons that vanish behind the hills isset. "

"Well then, wait on the other side of the stream, and conduct the man toyour house, who repeats my name three times. You know my name?"

"I call you Silver-star, but the others call you Uarda. "

"Lead the strangers to your hut, and, if they are received there by yourfather, come back and tell me. I will watch for you here at the door ofthe tent. I am poor, alas! and cannot reward you, but the princess willthank your father as a princess should. Be watchful, Salich!"

The girl vanished, and went to the drivers of the gang of prisoners, wished them a merry and pleasant evening, and then hastened back toBent-Anat, who anxiously stroked her abundant hair, and asked her whyshe was so pale. 

"Lie down, " said the princess kindly, "you are feverish. Only look, Nefert, I can see the blood coursing through the blue veins in herforehead. "

Meanwhile the drivers drank, praised the royal wine, and the luckyday on which they drank it; and when Uarda's father suggested that theprisoners too should have a mouthful one of his fellow soldiers cried:"Aye, let the poor beasts be jolly too for once. "

The red-beard filled a large beaker, and offered it first to a forgerand his fettered companion, then he approached Pentaur, and whispered:

"Do not drink any-keep awake!"

As he was going to warn the physician too, one of his companions camebetween them, and offering his tankard to Nebsecht said:

"Here mumbler, drink; see him pull! His stuttering mouth is spry enoughfor drinking!"

CHAPTER XXXV. 

The hours passed gaily with the drinkers, then they grew more and moresleepy. 

Ere the moon was high in the heavens, while they were all sleeping, with the exception of Kaschta and Pentaur, the soldier rose softly. He listened to the breathing of his companions, then he approached thepoet, unfastened the ring which fettered his ankle to that of Nebsecht, and endeavored to wake the physician, but in vain. 

"Follow me!" cried he to the poet; he took Nebsecht on his shoulders, and went towards the spot near the stream which Uarda had indicated. Three times he called his daughter's name, the young Amalekite appeared, and the soldier said decidedly: "Follow this man, I will take care ofNebsecht. "

"I will not leave him, " said Pentaur. "Perhaps water will wake him. "They plunged him in the brook, which half woke him, and by the help ofhis companions, who now pushed and now dragged him, he staggered andstumbled up the rugged mountain path, and before midnight they reachedtheir destination, the hut of the Amalekite. 

The old hunter was asleep, but his son aroused him, and told him whatUarda had ordered and promised. 

But no promises were needed to incite the worthy mountaineer tohospitality. He received the poet with genuine friendliness, laid thesleeping leech on a mat, prepared a couch for Pentaur of leaves andskins, called his daughter to wash his feet, and offered him his ownholiday garment in the place of the rags that covered his body. 

Pentaur stretched himself out on the humble couch, which to him seemedsofter than the silken bed of a queen, but on which nevertheless hecould not sleep, for the thoughts and fancies that filled his heart weretoo overpowering and bewildering. 

The stars still sparkled in the heavens when he sprang from his bed ofskins, lifted Nebsecht on to it, and rushed out into the open air. Afresh mountain spring flowed close to the hunter's hut. He went to it, and bathed his face in the ice-cold water, and let it flow over his bodyand limbs. He felt as if he must cleanse himself to his very soul, not only from the dust of many weeks, but from the rebellion anddespondency, the ignominy and bitterness, and the contact with vice anddegradation. When at last he left the spring, and returned to the littlehouse, he felt clean and fresh as on the morning of a feast-day atthe temple of Seti, when he had bathed and dressed himself in robes ofsnow-white linen. He took the hunter's holiday dress, put it on, andwent out of doors again. 

The enormous masses of rock lay dimly before him, like storm-clouds, andover his head spread the blue heavens with their thousand stars. 

The soothing sense of freedom and purity raised his soul, and the airthat he breathed was so fresh and light, that he sprang up the pathto the summit of the peak as if he were borne on wings or carried byinvisible hands. 

A mountain goat which met him, turned from him, and fled bleating, withhis mate, to a steep peak of rock, but Pentaur said to the frightenedbeasts:

"I shall do nothing to you--not I!"

He paused on a little plateau at the foot of the jagged granite peakof the mountain. Here again he heard the murmur of a spring, the grassunder his feet was damp, and covered with a film of ice, in which weremirrored the stars, now gradually fading. He looked up at the lights inthe sky, those never-tarrying, and yet motionless wanderers-away, tothe mountain heights around him-down, into the gorge below--and far off, into the distance. 

The dusk slowly grew into light, the mysterious forms of themountain-chain took shape and stood up with their shining points, thelight clouds were swept away like smoke. Thin vapors rose from the oasisand the other valleys at his feet, at first in heavy masses, then theyparted and were wafted, as if in sport, above and beyond him to thesky. Far below him soared a large eagle, the only living creature far ornear. 

A solemn and utter silence surrounded him, and when the eagle swoopeddown and vanished from his sight, and the mist rolled lower into thevalley, he felt that here, alone, he was high above all other livingbeings, and standing nearer to the Divinity. 

He drew his breath fully and deeply, he felt as he had felt in the firsthours after his initiation, when for the first time he was admitted tothe holy of holies--and yet quite different. 

Instead of the atmosphere loaded with incense, he breathed a light pureair; and the deep stillness of the mountain solitude possessed his soulmore strongly than the chant of the priests. 

Here, it seemed to him, that the Divine being would hear the lightestmurmur of his lips, though indeed his heart was so full of gratitude anddevotion that his impulse was to give expression to his mighty flow offeelings in jubilant song. But his tongue seemed tied; he knelt down insilence, to pray and to praise. 

Then he looked at the panorama round him. Where was the east which inEgypt was clearly defined by the long Nile range? Down there where itwas beginning to be light over the oasis. To his right hand lay thesouth, the sacred birth-place of the Nile, the home of the Gods ofthe Cataracts; but here flowed no mighty stream, and where was there ashrine for the visible manifestation of Osiris and Isis; of Horns, bornof a lotus flower in a thicket of papyrus; of Rennut, the Goddess ofblessings, and of Zeta? To which of them could he here lift his hands inprayer?

A faint breeze swept by, the mist vanished like a restless shade at theword of the exorcist, the many-pointed crown of Sinai stood out insharp relief, and below them the winding valleys, and the dark coloredrippling surface of the lake, became distinctly visible. 

All was silent, all untouched by the hand of man yet harmonized toone great and glorious whole, subject to all the laws of the universe, pervaded and filled by the Divinity. 

He would fain have raised his hand in thanksgiving to Apheru, "the Guideon the way;" but he dared not; and how infinitely small did the Godsnow seem to him, the Gods he had so often glorified to the multitudein inspired words, the Gods that had no meaning, no dwelling-place, nodominion but by the Nile. 

"To ye, " he murmured, "I cannot pray! Here where my eye can pierce thedistance, as if I myself were a god-here I feel the presence of the One, here He is near me and with me--I will call upon Him and praise him!"

And throwing up his arms he cried aloud: "Thou only One! Thou only One!Thou only One!" He said no more; but a tide of song welled up in hisbreast as he spoke--a flood of thankfulness and praise. 

When he rose from his knees, a man was standing by him; his eyes werepiercing and his tall figure had the dignity of a king, in spite of hisherdsman's dress. 

"It is well for you!" said the stranger in deep slow accents. "You seekthe true God. "

Pentaur looked steadily into the face of the bearded man before him. 

"I know you now, " he said. "You are Mesu. --[Moses]--I was but a boy whenyou left the temple of Seti, but your features are stamped on my soul. Ameni initiated me, as well as you, into the knowledge of the One God. "

"He knows Him not, " answered the other, looking thoughtfully to theeastern horizon, which every moment grew brighter. 

The heavens glowed with purple, and the granite peaks, each sheathedin a film of ice, sparkled and shone like dark diamonds that had beendipped in light. 

The day-star rose, and Pentaur turned to it, and prostrated himself ashis custom was. When he rose, Mesu also was kneeling on the earth, buthis back was turned to the sun. 

When he had ended his prayer, Pentaur said, "Why do you turn your backon the manifestation of the Sun-god? We were taught to look towards himwhen he approaches. "

"Because I, " said his grave companion, "pray to another God thanyours. The sun and stars are but as toys in his hand, the earth is hisfoot-stool, the storm is his breath, and the sea is in his sight as thedrops on the grass. "

"Teach me to know the Mighty One whom you worship!" exclaimed Pentaur. 

"Seek him, " said Mesu, "and you will find him; for you have passedthrough misery and suffering, and on this spot on such a morning as thiswas He revealed to me. "

The stranger turned away, and disappeared behind a rock from theenquiring gaze of Pentaur, who fixed his eyes on the distance. 

Then he thoughtfully descended the valley, and went towards the hutof the hunter. He stayed his steps when he heard men's voices, but therocks hid the speakers from his sight. 

Presently he saw the party approaching; the son of his host, a manin Egyptian dress, a lady of tall stature, near whom a girl trippedlightly, and another carried in a litter by slaves. 

Pentaur's heart beat wildly, for he recognized Bent-Anat and hercompanions. They disappeared by the hunter's cottage, but he stoodstill, breathing painfully, spell-bound to the cliff by which hestood--a long, long time--and did not stir. 

He did not hear a light step, that came near to him, and died awayagain, he did not feel that the sun began to cast fierce beams on him, and on the porphyry cliff behind him, he did not see a woman now comingquickly towards him; but, like a deaf man who has suddenly acquired thesense of hearing, he started when he heard his name spoken--by whoselips?

"Pentaur!" she said again; the poet opened his arms, and Bent-Anat fellupon his breast; and he held her to him, clasped, as though he must holdher there and never part from her all his life long. 

Meanwhile the princess's companions were resting by the hunter's littlehouse. 

"She flew into his arms--I saw it, " said Uarda. "Never shall I forgetit. It was as if the bright lake there had risen up to embrace themountain. "

"Where do you find such fancies, child?" cried Nefert. 

"In my heart, deep in my heart!" cried Uarda. "I am so unspeakablyhappy. "

"You saved him and rewarded him for his goodness; you may well behappy. "

"It is not only that, " said Uarda. "I was in despair, and now I see thatthe Gods are righteous and loving. "

Mena's wife nodded to her, and said with a sigh:

"They are both happy!"

"And they deserve to be!" exclaimed Uarda. "I fancy the Goddess of Truthis like Bent-Anat, and there is not another man in Egypt like Pentaur. "

Nefert was silent for awhile; then she asked softly: "Did you ever seeMena?"

"How should I?" replied the girl. "Wait a little while, and yourturn will come. I believe that to-day I can read the future like aprophetess. But let us see if Nebsecht lies there, and is still asleep. The draught I put into the wine must have been strong. "

"It was, " answered Nefert, following her into the hut. 

The physician was still lying on the bed, and sleeping with his mouthwide open. Uarda knelt down by his side, looked in his face, and said:

"He is clever and knows everything, but how silly he looks now! I willwake him. "

She pulled a blade of grass out of the heap on which he was lying, andsaucily tickled his nose. 

Nebsecht raised himself, sneezed, but fell back asleep again; Uardalaughed out with her clear silvery tones. Then she blushed--"That is notright, " she said, "for he is good and generous. "

She took the sleeper's hand, pressed it to her lips, and wiped the dropsfrom his brow. Then he awoke, opened his eyes, and muttered half in adream still:

"Uarda--sweet Uarda. "

The girl started up and fled, and Nefert followed her. 

When Nebsecht at last got upon his feet and looked round him, he foundhimself alone in a strange house. He went out of doors, where he foundBent-Anat's little train anxiously discussing things past and to come. 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The inhabitants of the oasis had for centuries been subject to thePharaohs, and paid them tribute; and among the rights granted to themin return, no Egyptian soldier might cross their border and territorywithout their permission. 

The Ethiopians had therefore pitched Bent-Anat's tents and their owncamp outside these limits; but various transactions soon took placebetween the idle warriors and the Amalekites, which now and then led toquarrels, and which one evening threatened serious consequences, whensome drunken soldiers had annoyed the Amalekite women while they weredrawing water. 

This morning early one of the drivers on awaking had missed Pentaur andNebsecht, and he roused his comrades, who had been rejoined by Uarda'sfather. The enraged guard of the gang of prisoners hastened to thecommandant of the Ethiopians, and informed him that two of his prisonershad escaped, and were no doubt being kept in concealment by theAmalekites. 

The Amalekites met the requisition to surrender the fugitives, of whomthey knew nothing, with words of mockery, which so enraged the officerthat he determined to search the oasis throughout by force, and when hefound his emissaries treated with scorn he advanced with the larger partof his troops on to the free territory of the Amalekites. 

The sons of the desert flew to arms; they retired before the close orderof the Egyptian troops, who followed them, confident of victory, to apoint where the valley widens and divides on each side of a rockyhill. Behind this the larger part of the Amalekite forces were lying inambush, and as soon as the unsuspicious Ethiopians had marched pastthe hill, they threw themselves on the rear of the astonished invaders, while those in front turned upon them, and flung lances and arrows atthe soldiers, of whom very few escaped. 

Among them, however, was the commanding officer, who, foaming with rageand only slightly wounded, put himself at the head of the remainderof Bent-Anat's body-guard, ordered the escort of the prisoners also tofollow him, and once more advanced into the oasis. 

That the princess might escape him had never for an instant occurred tohim, but as soon as the last of her keepers had disappeared, Bent-Anatexplained to her chamberlain and her companions that now or never wasthe moment to fly. 

All her people were devoted to her; they loaded themselves with the mostnecessary things for daily use, took the litters and beasts of burdenwith them, and while the battle was raging in the valley, Salich guidedthem up the heights of Sinai to his father's house. 

It was on the way thither that Uarda had prepared the princess for themeeting she might expect at the hunter's cottage, and we have seen howand where the princess found the poet. 

Hand in hand they wandered together along the mountain path till theycame to a spot shaded by a projection of the rock, Pentaur pulled somemoss to make a seat, they reclined on it side by side, and there openedtheir hearts, and told each other of their love and of their sufferings, their wanderings and escapes. 

At noonday the hunter's daughter came to offer them a pitcher full ofgoat's milk, and Bent-Anat filled the gourd again and again for the manshe loved; and waiting upon him thus, her heart overflowed with pride, and his with the humble desire to be permitted to sacrifice his bloodand life for her. 

Hitherto they had been so absorbed in the present and the past, thatthey had not given a thought to the future, and while they repeated ahundred times what each had long since known, and yet could never tireof hearing, they forgot the immediate changes which was hanging overthem. 

After their humble meal, the surging flood of feeling which, ever sincehis morning devotions, had overwhelmed the poet's soul, grew calmer; hehad felt as if borne through the air, but now he set foot, so to speak, on the earth again, and seriously considered with Bent-Anat what stepsthey must take in the immediate future. 

The light of joy, which beamed in their eyes, was little in accordancewith the grave consultation they held, as, hand in hand, they descendedto the hut of their humble host. 

The hunter, guided by his daughter, met them half way, and with him atall and dignified man in the full armor of a chief of the Amalekites. 

Both bowed and kissed the earth before Bent-Anat and Pentaur. Theyhad heard that the princess was detained in the oasis by force by theEthiopian troops, and the desert-prince, Abocharabos, now informed them, not without pride, that the Ethiopian soldiers, all but a few who werehis prisoners, had been exterminated by his people; at the same timehe assured Pentaur, whom he supposed to be a son of the king, andBent-Anat, that he and his were entirely devoted to the Pharaoh Rameses, who had always respected their rights. 

"They are accustomed, " he added, "to fight against the cowardly dogs ofKush; but we are men, and we can fight like the lions of our wilds. Ifwe are outnumbered we hide like the goats in clefts of the rocks. "

Bent-Anat, who was pleased with the daring man, his flashing eyes, his aquiline nose, and his brown face which bore the mark of a bloodysword-cut, promised him to commend him and his people to her father'sfavor, and told him of her desire to proceed as soon as possible to theking's camp under the protection of Pentaur, her future husband. 

The mountain chief had gazed attentively at Pentaur and at Bent-Anatwhile she spoke; then he said: "Thou, princess, art like the moon, andthy companion is like the Sun-god Dusare. Besides Abocharabos, " and hestruck his breast, "and his wife, I know no pair that are like you two. I myself will conduct you to Hebron with some of my best men of war. Buthaste will be necessary, for I must be back before the traitor who nowrules over Mizraim, --[The Semitic name of Egypt]--and who persecutesyou, can send fresh forces against us. Now you can go down again to thetents, not a hen is missing. To-morrow before daybreak we will be off. "

At the door of the hut Pentaur was greeted by the princess's companions. 

The chamberlain looked at him not without anxious misgiving. 

The king, when he departed, had, it is true, given him orders to obeyBent-Anat in every particular, as if she were the queen herself; but herchoice of such a husband was a thing unheard of, and how would the kingtake it?

Nefert rejoiced in the splendid person of the poet, and frequentlyrepeated that he was as like her dead uncle--the father of Paaker, thechief-pioneer--as if he were his younger brother. 

Uarda never wearied of contemplating him and her beloved princess. She no longer looked upon him as a being of a higher order; but thehappiness of the noble pair seemed to her an embodied omen of happinessfor Nefert's love--perhaps too for her own. 

Nebsecht kept modestly in the background. The headache, from which hehad long been suffering, had disappeared in the fresh mountain air. WhenPentaur offered him his hand he exclaimed:

"Here is an end to all my jokes and abuse! A strange thing is this fateof men. Henceforth I shall always have the worst of it in any disputewith you, for all the discords of your life have been very prettilyresolved by the great master of harmony, to whom you pray. "

"You speak almost as if you were sorry; but every thing will turn outhappily for you too. "

"Hardly!" replied the surgeon, "for now I see it clearly. Every man isa separate instrument, formed even before his birth, in an occultworkshop, of good or bad wood, skilfully or unskilfully made, of thisshape or the other; every thing in his life, no matter what we call it, plays upon him, and the instrument sounds for good or evil, as it iswell or ill made. You are an AEolian harp--the sound is delightful, whatever breath of fate may touch it; I am a weather-cock--I turnwhichever way the wind blows, and try to point right, but at the sametime I creak, so that it hurts my own ears and those of other people. Iam content if now and then a steersman may set his sails rightly bymy indication; though after all, it is all the same to me. I will turnround and round, whether others look at me or no--What does it signify?"

When Pentaur and the princess took leave of the hunter with many gifts, the sun was sinking, and the toothed peaks of Sinai glowed like rubies, through which shone the glow of half a world on fire. 

The journey to the royal camp was begun the next morning. Abocharabos, the Amalekite chief, accompanied the caravan, to which Uarda's fatheralso attached himself; he had been taken prisoner in the struggle withthe natives, but at Bent-Anat's request was set at liberty. 

At their first halting place he was commanded to explain how he hadsucceeded in having Pentaur taken to the mines, instead of to thequarries of Chennu. 

"I knew, " said the soldier in his homely way, "from Uarda where thisman, who had risked his life for us poor folks, was to be taken, andI said to myself--I must save him. But thinking is not my trade, andI never can lay a plot. It would very likely have come to some violentact, that would have ended badly, if I had not had a hint from anotherperson, even before Uarda told me of what threatened Pentaur. This ishow it was. 

"I was to convoy the prisoners, who were condemned to work in the Mafkatmines, across the river to the place they start from. In the harbor ofThebes, on the other side, the poor wretches were to take leave of theirfriends; I have seen it a hundred times, and I never can get used to it, and yet one can get hardened to most things! Their loud cries, and wildhowls are not the worst--those that scream the most I have always foundare the first to get used to their fate; but the pale ones, whose lipsturn white, and whose teeth chatter as if they were freezing, and whoseeyes stare out into vacancy without any tears--those go to my heart. There was all the usual misery, both noisy and silent. But the man I wasmost sorry for was one I had known for a long time; his name was Huni, and he belonged to the temple of Amon, where he held the place ofoverseer of the attendants on the sacred goat. I had often met himwhen I was on duty to watch the laborers who were completing the greatpillared hall, and he was respected by every one, and never failed inhis duty. Once, however, he had neglected it; it was that very nightwhich you all will remember when the wolves broke into the temple, and tore the rams, and the sacred heart was laid in the breast of theprophet Rui. Some one, of course, must be punished, and it fell on poorHuni, who for his carelessness was condemned to forced labor in themines of Mafkat. His successor will keep a sharp look out! No one cameto see him off, though I know he had a wife and several children. Hewas as pale as this cloth, and was one of the sort whose grief eats intotheir heart. I went up to him, and asked him why no one came with him. He had taken leave of them at home, he answered, that his children mightnot see him mixed up with forgers and murderers. Eight poor little bratswere left unprovided for with their mother, and a little while before afire had destroyed everything they possessed. There was not a crumb tostop their little squalling mouths. He did not tell me all this straightout; a word fell from him now and then, like dates from a torn sack. Ipicked it up bit by bit, and when he saw I felt for him he grew fierceand said: 'They may send me to the gold mines or cut me to pieces, as far as I am concerned, but that the little ones should starvethat--that, ' and he struck his forehead. Then I left him to say good byeto Uarda, and on the way I kept repeating to myself 'that-that, ' and sawbefore me the man and his eight brats. If I were rich, thought I, thereis a man I would help. When I got to the little one there, she told mehow much money the leech Nebsecht had given her, and offered to give itme to save Pentaur; then it passed through my mind--that may go to Hum'schildren, and in return he will let himself be shipped off to Ethiopia. I ran to the harbor, spoke to the man, found him ready and willing, gavethe money to his wife, and at night when the prisoners were shipped Icontrived the exchange Pentaur came with me on my boat under the name ofthe other, and Huni went to the south, and was called Pentaur. I had notdeceived the man into thinking he would stop at Chennu. I told him hewould be taken on to Ethiopia, for it is always impossible to play a manfalse when you know it is quite easy to do it. It is very strange! It isa real pleasure to cheat a cunning fellow or a sturdy man, but who wouldtake in a child or a sick person? Huni certainly would have goneinto the fire-pots of hell without complaining, and he left me quitecheerfully. The rest, and how we got here, you yourselves know. In Syriaat this time of year you will suffer a good deal from rain. I know thecountry, for I have escorted many prisoners of war into Egypt, and I wasthere five years with the troops of the great Mohar, father of the chiefpioneer Paaker. "

Bent-Anat thanked the brave fellow, and Pentaur and Nebsecht continuedthe narrative. 

"During the voyage, " said Nebsecht, "I was uneasy about Pentaur, for Isaw how he was pining, but in the desert he seemed to rouse himself, and often whispered sweet little songs that he had composed while wemarched. "

"That is strange, " said Bent-Anat, "for I also got better in thedesert. "

"Repeat the verses on the Beytharan plant, " said Nebsecht. 

"Do you know the plant?" asked the poet. "It grows here in many places;here it is. Only smell how sweet it is if you bruise the fleshy stem andleaves. My little verse is simple enough; it occurred to me like manyother songs of which you know all the best. "

"They all praise the same Goddess, " said Nebsecht laughing. 

"But let us have the verses, " said Bent-Anat. The poet repeated in a lowvoice:

 "How often in the desert I have seen The small herb, Beytharan, in modest green! In every tiny leaf and gland and hair Sweet perfume is distilled, and scents the air. How is it that in barren sandy ground This little plant so sweet a gift has found? And that in me, in this vast desert plain, The sleeping gift of song awakes again?"

"Do you not ascribe to the desert what is due to love?" said Nefert. 

"I owe it to both; but I must acknowledge that the desert is a wonderfulphysician for a sick soul. We take refuge from the monotony thatsurrounds us in our own reflections; the senses are at rest; and here, undisturbed and uninfluenced from without, it is given to the mind tothink out every train of thought to the end, to examine and exhaustevery feeling to its finest shades. In the city, one is always a mereparticle in a great whole, on which one is dependent, to which onemust contribute, and from which one must accept something. The solitarywanderer in the desert stands quite alone; he is in a manner freed fromthe ties which bind him to any great human community; he must fill upthe void by his own identity, and seek in it that which may give hisexistence significance and consistency. Here, where the present retiresinto the background, the thoughtful spirit finds no limits howeverremote. "

"Yes; one can think well in the desert, " said Nebsecht. "Much has becomeclear to me here that in Egypt I only guessed at. "

"What may that be?" asked Pentaur. 

"In the first place, " replied Nebsecht, "that we none of us really knowanything rightly; secondly that the ass may love the rose, but therose will not love the ass; and the third thing I will keep to myself, because it is my secret, and though it concerns all the world no onewould trouble himself about it. My lord chamberlain, how is this? Youknow exactly how low people must bow before the princess in proportionto their rank, and have no idea how a back-bone is made. "

"Why should I?" asked the chamberlain. "I have to attend to outwardthings, while you are contemplating inward things; else your hair mightbe smoother, and your dress less stained. "

The travellers reached the old Cheta city of Hebron without accident;there they took leave of Abocharabos, and under the safe escort ofEgyptian troops started again for the north. At Hebron Pentaur partedfrom the princess, and Bent-Anat bid him farewell without complaining. 

Uarda's father, who had learned every path and bridge in Syria, accompanied the poet, while the physician Nebsecht remained with theladies, whose good star seemed to have deserted them with Pentaur'sdeparture, for the violent winter rains which fell in the mountains ofSamaria destroyed the roads, soaked through the tents, and condemnedthem frequently to undesirable delays. At Megiddo they were receivedwith high honors by the commandant of the Egyptian garrison, and theywere compelled to linger here some days, for Nefert, who had beenparticularly eager to hurry forward, was taken ill, and Nebsecht wasobliged to forbid her proceeding at this season. 

Uarda grew pale and thoughtful, and Bent-Anat saw with anxiety that thetender roses were fading from the cheeks of her pretty favorite; butwhen she questioned her as to what ailed her she gave an evasive answer. She had never either mentioned Rameri's name before the princess, norshown her her mother's jewel, for she felt as if all that had passedbetween her and the prince was a secret which did not belong to heralone. Yet another reason sealed her lips. She was passionately devotedto Bent-Anat, and she told herself that if the princess heard it all, she would either blame her brother or laugh at his affection as ata child's play, and she felt as if in that case she could not loveRameri's sister any more. 

A messenger had been sent on from the first frontier station to theking's camp to enquire by which road the princess, and her party shouldleave Megiddo. But the emissary returned with a short and decided thoughaffectionate letter written by the king's own hand, to his daughter, desiring her not to quit Megiddo, which was a safe magazine and arsenalfor the army, strongly fortified and garrisoned, as it commandedthe roads from the sea into North and Central Palestine. Decisiveencounters, he said, were impending, and she knew that the Egyptiansalways excluded their wives and daughters from their war train, andregarded them as the best reward of victory when peace was obtained. 

While the ladies were waiting in Megiddo, Pentaur and his red-beardedguide proceeded northwards with a small mounted escort, with which theywere supplied by the commandant of Hebron. 

He himself rode with dignity, though this journey was the first occasionon which he had sat on horseback. He seemed to have come into the worldwith the art of riding born with him. As soon as he had learned from hiscompanions how to grasp the bridle, and had made himself familiar withthe nature of the horse, it gave him the greatest delight to tame andsubdue a fiery steed. 

He had left his priest's robes in Egypt. Here he wore a coat of mail, a sword, and battle-axe like a warrior, and his long beard, which hadgrown during his captivity, now flowed down over his breast. Uarda'sfather often looked at him with admiration, and said:

"One might think the Mohar, with whom I often travelled these roads, hadrisen from the dead. He looked like you, he spoke like you, he calledthe men as you do, nay he sat as you do when the road was too bad forhis chariot, [The Mohars used chariots in their journeys. This is positively known from the papyrus Anastasi I. Which vividly describes the hardships experienced by a Mohar while travelling through Syria. ]

and he got on horseback, and held the reins. "

None of Pentaur's men, except his red-bearded friend, was more to himthan a mere hired servant, and he usually preferred to ride alone, apartfrom the little troop, musing on the past--seldom on the future--andgenerally observing all that lay on his way with a keen eye. They soonreached Lebanon; between it and and Lebanon a road led through the greatSyrian valley. It rejoiced him to see with his own eyes the distantshimmer of the white snow-capped peaks, of which he had often heardwarriors talk. 

The country between the two mountain ranges was rich and fruitful, andfrom the heights waterfalls and torrents rushed into the valley. Manyvillages and towns lay on his road, but most of them had been damagedin the war. The peasants had been robbed of their teams of cattle, theflocks had been driven off from the shepherds, and when a vine-dresser, who was training his vine saw the little troop approaching, he fled tothe ravines and forests. 

The traces of the plough and the spade were everywhere visible, but thefields were for the most part not sown; the young peasants were underarms, the gardens and meadows were trodden down by soldiers, the housesand cottages plundered and destroyed, or burnt. Everything bore thetrace of the devastation of the war, only the oak and cedar forestslorded it proudly over the mountain-slopes, planes and locust-treesgrew in groves, and the gorges and rifts of the thinly-wooded limestonehills, which bordered the fertile low-land, were filled with evergreenbrushwood. 

At this time of year everything was moist and well-watered, and Pentaurcompared the country with Egypt, and observed how the same results wereattained here as there, but by different agencies. He remembered thatmorning on Sinai, and said to himself again: "Another God than oursrules here, and the old masters were not wrong who reviled godlessstrangers, and warned the uninitiated, to whom the secret of the Onemust remain unrevealed, to quit their home. "

The nearer he approached the king's camp, the more vividly he thoughtof Bent-Anat, and the faster his heart beat from time to time whenhe thought of his meeting with the king. On the whole he was full ofcheerful confidence, which he felt to be folly, and which neverthelesshe could not repress. 

Ameni had often blamed him for his too great diffidence and his want ofambition, when he had willingly let others pass him by. He rememberedthis now, and smiled and understood himself less than ever, forthough he resolutely repeated to himself a hundred times that he wasa low-born, poor, and excommunicated priest, the feeling would not besmothered that he had a right to claim Bent-Anat for his own. 

And if the king refused him his daughter--if he made him pay for hisaudacity with his life?

Not an eyelash, he well knew, would tremble under the blow of the axe, and he would die content; for that which she had granted him was his, and no God could take it from him!

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Once or twice Pentaur and his companions had had to defend themselvesagainst hostile mountaineers, who rushed suddenly upon them out of thewoods. When they were about two days' journey still from the end oftheir march, they had a bloody skirmish with a roving band of men thatseemed to belong to a larger detachment of troops. 

The nearer they got to Kadesh, the more familiar Kaschta showed himselfwith every stock and stone, and he went forward to obtain information;he returned somewhat anxious, for he had perceived the main body of theCheta army on the road which they must cross. How came the enemy here inthe rear of the Egyptian army? Could Rameses have sustained a defeat?

Only the day before they had met some Egyptian soldiers, who had toldthem that the king was staying in the camp, and a great battle wasimpending. This however could not have by this time been decided, andthey had met no flying Egyptians. 

"If we can only get two miles farther without having to fight, " saidUarda's father. "I know what to do. Down below, there is a ravine, andfrom it a path leads over hill and vale to the plain of Kadesh. No oneever knew it but the Mohar and his most confidential servants. Abouthalf-way there is a hidden cave, in which we have often stayed thewhole day long. The Cheta used to believe that the Mohar possessed magicpowers, and could make himself invisible, for when they lay in wait forus on the way we used suddenly to vanish; but certainly not into theclouds, only into the cave, which the Mohar used to call his Tuat. Ifyou are not afraid of a climb, and will lead your horse behind you for amile or two, I can show you the way, and to-morrow evening we will be atthe camp. "

Pentaur let his guide lead the way; they came, without having occasionto fight, as far as the gorge between the hills, through which a fulland foaming mountain torrent rushed to the valley. Kaschta dropped fromhis horse, and the others did the same. After the horses had passedthrough the water, he carefully effaced their tracks as far as the road, then for about half a mile he ascended the valley against the stream. At last he stopped in front of a thick oleander-bush, looked carefullyabout, and lightly pushed it aside; when he had found an entrance, his companions and their weary scrambling beasts followed him withoutdifficulty, and they presently found themselves in a grove of loftycedars. Now they had to squeeze themselves between masses of rock, nowthey labored up and down over smooth pebbles, which offered scarcelyany footing to the horses' hoofs; now they had to push their waythrough thick brushwood, and now to cross little brooks swelled by thewinter-rains. 

The road became more difficult at every step, then it began to growdark, and heavy drops of rain fell from the clouded sky. 

"Make haste, and keep close to me, " cried Kaschta. "Half an hour more, and we shall be under shelter, if I do not lose my way. "

Then a horse broke down, and with great difficulty was got up again;the rain fell with increased violence, the night grew darker, and thesoldier often found himself brought to a stand-still, feeling for thepath with his hands; twice he thought he had lost it, but he would notgive in till he had recovered the track. At last he stood still, andcalled Pentaur to come to him. 

"Hereabouts, " said he, "the cave must be; keep close to me--it ispossible that we may come upon some of the pioneer's people. Provisionsand fuel were always kept here in his father's time. Can you see me?Hold on to my girdle, and bend your head low till I tell you you maystand upright again. Keep your axe ready, we may find some of the Chetaor bandits roosting there. You people must wait, we will soon call youto come under shelter. "

Pentaur closely followed his guide, pushing his way through the drippingbrushwood, crawling through a low passage in the rock, and at lastemerging on a small rocky plateau. 

"Take care where you are going!" cried Kaschta. "Keep to the left, tothe right there is a deep abyss. I smell smoke! Keep your hand on youraxe, there must be some one in the cave. Wait! I will fetch the men asfar as this. "

The soldier went back, and Pentaur listened for any sounds that mightcome from the same direction as the smoke. He fancied he could perceivea small gleam of light, and he certainly heard quite plainly, firsta tone of complaint, then an angry voice; he went towards the light, feeling his way by the wall on his left; the light shone broader andbrighter, and seemed to issue from a crack in a door. 

By this time the soldier had rejoined Pentaur, and both listened for afew minutes; then the poet whispered to his guide:

"They are speaking Egyptian, I caught a few words. "

"All the better, " said Kaschta. "Paaker or some of his people are inthere; the door is there still, and shut. If we give four hard andthree gentle knocks, it will be opened. Can you understand what they aresaying?"

"Some one is begging to be set free, " replied Pentaur, "and speaks ofsome traitor. The other has a rough voice, and says he must follow hismaster's orders. Now the one who spoke before is crying; do you hear? Heis entreating him by the soul of his father to take his fetters off. Howdespairing his voice is! Knock, Kaschta--it strikes me we are come atthe right moment--knock, I say. "

The soldier knocked first four times, then three times. A shriek rangthrough the cave, and they could hear a heavy, rusty bolt drawn back, the roughly hewn door was opened, and a hoarse voice asked:

"Is that Paaker?"

"No, " answered the soldier, "I am Kaschta. Do not you know me again, Nubi?"

The man thus addressed, who was Paaker's Ethiopian slave, drew back insurprise. 

"Are you still alive?" he exclaimed. "What brings you here?"

"My lord here will tell you, " answered Kaschta as he made way forPentaur to enter the cave. The poet went up to the black man, and thelight of the fire which burned in the cave fell full on his face. 

The old slave stared at him, and drew back in astonishment and terror. He threw himself on the earth, howled like a dog that fawns at the feetof his angry master, and cried out:

"He ordered it--Spirit of my master! he ordered it. " Pentaur stoodstill, astounded and incapable of speech, till he perceived a young man, who crept up to him on his hands and feet, which were bound with thongs, and who cried to him in a tone, in which terror was mingled with atenderness which touched Pentaur's very soul. 

"Save me--Spirit of the Mohar! save me, father!" Then the poet spoke. 

"I am no spirit of the dead, " said he. "I am the priest Pentaur; and Iknow you, boy; you are Horus, Paaker's brother, who was brought up withme in the temple of Seti. "

The prisoner approached him trembling, looked at him enquiringly andexclaimed:

"Be you who you may, you are exactly like my father in person andin voice. Loosen my bonds, and listen to me, for the most hideous, atrocious, and accursed treachery threatens us the king and all. "

Pentaur drew his sword, and cut the leather thongs which bound the youngman's hands and feet. He stretched his released limbs, uttering thanksto the Gods, then he cried:

"If you love Egypt and the king follow me; perhaps there is yet time tohinder the hideous deed, and to frustrate this treachery. "

"The night is dark, " said Kaschita, "and the road to the valley isdangerous. "

"You must follow me if it is to your death!" cried the youth, and, seizing Pentaur's hand, he dragged him with him out of the cave. 

As soon as the black slave had satisfied himself that Pentaur was thepriest whom he had seen fighting in front of the paraschites' hovel, andnot the ghost of his dead master, he endeavored to slip past Paaker'sbrother, but Horus observed the manoeuvre, and seized him by his woollyhair. The slave cried out loudly, and whimpered out:

"If thou dost escape, Paaker will kill me; he swore he would. "

"Wait!" said the youth. He dragged the slave back, flung him into thecave, and blocked up the door with a huge log which lay near it for thatpurpose. 

When the three men had crept back through the low passage in the rocks, and found themselves once more in the open air, they found a high windwas blowing. 

"The storm will soon be over, " said Horus. "See how the clouds aredriving! Let us have horses, Pentaur, for there is not a minute to belost. "

The poet ordered Kaschta to summon the people to start but the soldieradvised differently. 

"Men and horses are exhausted, " he said, "and we shall get on veryslowly in the dark. Let the beasts feed for an hour, and the men getrested and warm; by that time the moon will be up, and we shall make upfor the delay by having fresh horses, and light enough to see the road. "

"The man is right, " said Horus; and he led Kaschta to a cave in therocks, where barley and dates for the horses, and a few jars of wine, had been preserved. They soon had lighted a fire, and while some of themen took care of the horses, and others cooked a warm mess of victuals, Horus and Pentaur walked up and down impatiently. 

"Had you been long bound in those thongs when we came?" asked Pentaur. 

"Yesterday my brother fell upon me, " replied Horus. "He is by this timea long way ahead of us, and if he joins the Cheta, and we do not reachthe Egyptian camp before daybreak, all is lost. "

"Paaker, then, is plotting treason?"

"Treason, the foulest, blackest treason!" exclaimed the young man. "Oh, my lost father!--"

"Confide in me, " said Pentaur going up to the unhappy youth who hadhidden his face in his hands. "What is Paaker plotting? How is it thatyour brother is your enemy?"

"He is the elder of us two, " said Horus with a trembling voice. "When myfather died I had only a short time before left the school of Seti, andwith his last words my father enjoined me to respect Paaker as the headof our family. He is domineering and violent, and will allow no one'swill to cross his; but I bore everything, and always obeyed him, oftenagainst my better judgment. I remained with him two years, then I wentto Thebes, and there I married, and my wife and child are now livingthere with my mother. About sixteen months afterwards I came back toSyria, and we travelled through the country together; but by this time Idid not choose to be the mere tool of my brother's will, for I had grownprouder, and it seemed to me that the father of my child ought not to besubservient, even to his own brother. We often quarrelled, and had abad time together, and life became quite unendurable, when--about eightweeks since--Paaker came back from Thebes, and the king gave him tounderstand that he approved more of my reports than of his. From mychildhood I have always been softhearted and patient; every one says Iam like my mother; but what Paaker made me suffer by words and deeds, that is--I could not--" His voice broke, and Pentaur felt how cruelly hehad suffered; then he went on again:

"What happened to my brother in Egypt, I do not know, for he is veryreserved, and asks for no sympathy, either in joy or in sorrow; but fromwords he has dropped now and then I gather that he not only bitterlyhates Mena, the charioteer--who certainly did him an injury--but hassome grudge against the king too. I spoke to him of it at once, but onlyonce, for his rage is unbounded when he is provoked, and after all he ismy elder brother. 

"For some days they have been preparing in the camp for a decisivebattle, and it was our duty to ascertain the position and strength ofthe enemy; the king gave me, and not Paaker, the commission to preparethe report. Early yesterday morning I drew it out and wrote it; then mybrother said he would carry it to the camp, and I was to wait here. Ipositively refused, as Rameses had required the report at my hands, and not at his. Well, he raved like a madman, declared that I had takenadvantage of his absence to insinuate myself into the king's favor, andcommanded me to obey him as the head of the house, in the name of myfather. 

"I was sitting irresolute, when he went out of the cavern to call hishorses; then my eyes fell on the things which the old black slavewas tying together to load on a pack-horse--among them was a rollof writing. I fancied it was my own, and took it up to look at it, when--what should I find? At the risk of my life I had gone among theCheta, and had found that the main body of their army is collected ina cross-valley of the Orontes, quite hidden in the mountains to thenorth-east of Kadesh; and in the roll it was stated, in Paaker's ownhand-writing, that that valley is clear, and the way through it open, and well suited for the passage of the Egyptian war-chariots; variousother false details were given, and when I looked further among histhings, I found between the arrows in his quiver, on which he hadwritten 'death to Mena, ' another little roll of writing. I tore it open, and my blood ran cold when I saw to whom it was addressed. "

"To the king of the Cheta?" cried Pentaur in excitement. 

"To his chief officer, Titure, " continued Horus. "I was holding boththe rolls in my hand, when Paaker came back into the cave. 'Traitor!'I cried out to him; but he flung the lasso, with which he had beencatching the stray horses, threw it round my neck, and as I fell chokingon the ground, he and the black man, who obeys him like a dog, boundme hand and foot; he left the old negro to keep guard over me, took therolls and rode away. Look, there are the stars, and the moon will soonbe up. "

"Make haste, men!" cried Pentaur. "The three best horses for me, Horus, and Kaschta; the rest remain here. "

As the red-bearded soldier led the horses forward, the moon shone forth, and within an hour the travellers had reached the plain; they sprang onto the beasts and rode madly on towards the lake, which, when the sunrose, gleamed before them in silvery green. As they drew near to it theycould discern, on its treeless western shore, black masses moving hitherand thither; clouds of dust rose up from the plain, pierced by flashesof light, like the rays of the sun reflected from a moving mirror. 

"The battle is begun!" cried Horus; and he fell sobbing on his horse'sneck. 

"But all is not lost yet!" exclaimed the poet, spurring his horse toa final effort of strength. His companions did the same, but firstKaschta's horse fell under him, then Horus's broke down. 

"Help may be given by the left wing!" cried Horus. "I will run as fastas I can on foot, I know where to find them. You will easily find theking if you follow the stream to the stone bridge. In the cross-valleyabout a thousand paces farther north--to the northwest of ourstronghold--the surprise is to be effected. Try to get through, and warnRameses; the Egyptian pass-word is 'Bent-Anat, ' the name of the king'sfavorite daughter. But even if you had wings, and could fly straight tohim, they would overpower him if I cannot succeed in turning the leftwing on the rear of the enemy. "

Pentaur galloped onwards; but it was not long before his horse too gaveway, and he ran forward like a man who runs a race, and shouted thepass-word "Bent-Anat"--for the ring of her name seemed to give himvigor. Presently he came upon a mounted messenger of the enemy; hestruck him down from his horse, flung himself into the saddle, andrushed on towards the camp; as if he were riding to his wedding. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

During the night which had proved so eventful to our friends, muchhad occurred in the king's camp, for the troops were to advance to thelong-anticipated battle before sunrise. 

Paaker had given his false report of the enemy's movements to thePharaoh with his own hand; a council of war had been held, and eachdivision had received instructions as to where it was to take up itsposition. The corps, which bore the name of the Sungod Ra, advanced fromthe south towards Schabatun, [Kadesh was the chief city of the Cheta, i. E. Aramaans, round which the united forces of all the peoples of western Asia had collected. There were several cities called Kadesh. That which frequently checked the forces of Thotmes III. May have been situated farther to the south; but the Cheta city of Kadesh, where Rameses II. Fought so hard a battle, was undoubtedly on the Orontes, for the river which is depicted on the pylon of the Ramesseum as parting into two streams which wash the walls of the fortress, is called Aruntha, and in the Epos of Pentaur it is stated that this battle took place at Kadesh by the Orontes. The name of the city survives, at a spot just three miles north of the lake of Riblah. The battle itself I have described from the Epos of Pentaur, the national epic of Egypt. It ends with these words: "This was written and made by the scribe Pentaur. " It was so highly esteemed that it is engraved in stone twice at Luqsor, and once at Karnak. Copies of it on papyrus are frequent; for instance, papyrus Sallier III. And papyrus Raifet--unfortunately much injured--in the Louvre. The principal incident, the rescue of the king from the enemy, is repeated at the Ramessetun at Thebes, and at Abu Simbel. It was translated into French by Vicomte E. De Rouge. The camp of Rameses is depicted on the pylons of Luqsor and the Ramesseum. ]

so as to surround the lake on the east, and fall on the enemy's flank;the corps of Seth, composed of men from lower Egypt, was sent on toArnam to form the centre; the king himself, with the flower of thechariot-guard, proposed to follow the road through the valley, whichPaaker's report represented as a safe and open passage to the plainof the Orontes. Thus, while the other divisions occupied the enemy, hecould cross the Orontes by a ford, and fall on the rear of the fortressof Kadesh from the north-west. The corps of Amon, with the Ethiopianmercenaries, were to support him, joining him by another route, whichthe pioneer's false indications represented as connecting the line ofoperations. The corps of Ptah remained as a reserve behind the leftwing. 

The soldiers had not gone to rest as usual; heavily, armed troops, whobore in one hand a shield of half a man's height, and in the other ascimitar, or a short, pointed sword, guarded the camp, [Representations of Rameses' camp are preserved on the pylons of the temple of Luxor and the Ramesseum. ]

where numerous fires burned, round which crowded the resting warriors. Here a wine-skin was passed from hand to hand, there a joint wasroasting on a wooden spit; farther on a party were throwing dice for thebooty they had won, or playing at morra. All was in eager activity, and many a scuffle occurred amoung the excited soldiers, and had to besettled by the camp-watch. 

Near the enclosed plots, where the horses were tethered, the smiths werebusily engaged in shoeing the beasts which needed it, and in sharpeningthe points of the lances; the servants of the chariot-guard were alsofully occupied, as the chariots had for the most part been brought overthe mountains in detached pieces on the backs of pack-horses and asses, and now had to be put together again, and to have their wheels greased. On the eastern side of the camp stood a canopy, under which thestandards were kept, and there numbers of priests were occupied in theiroffice of blessing the warriors, offering sacrifices, and singing hymnsand litanies. But these pious sounds were frequently overpowered by theloud voices of the gamblers and revellers, by the blows of the hammers, the hoarse braying of the asses, and the neighing of the horses. Fromtime to time also the deep roar of the king's war-lions

 [See Diodorus, 1. 47. Also the pictures of the king rushing to the fight. ]

might be heard; these beasts followed him into the fight, and were nowhowling for food, as they had been kept fasting to excite their fury. 

In the midst of the camp stood the king's tent, surrounded by footand chariot-guards. The auxiliary troops were encamped in divisionsaccording to their nationality, and between them the Egyptian legions ofheavy-armed soldiers and archers. Here might be seen the black Ethiopianwith wooly matted hair, in which a few feathers were stuck--thehandsome, well proportioned "Son of the desert" from the sandy Arabianshore of the Red Sea, who performed his wild war-dance flourishing hislance, with a peculiar wriggle of his--hips pale Sardinians, with metalhelmets and heavy swords--light colored Libyans, with tattooed arms andostrich-feathers on their heads-brown, bearded Arabs, worshippers of thestars, inseparable from their horses, and armed, some with lances, andsome with bows and arrows. And not less various than their aspect werethe tongues of the allied troops--but all obedient to the king's word ofcommand. 

In the midst of the royal tents was a lightly constructed temple withthe statues of the Gods of Thebes, and of the king's forefathers; cloudsof incense rose in front of it, for the priests were engaged from theeve of the battle until it was over, in prayers, and offerings to Amon, the king of the Gods, to Necheb, the Goddess of victory, and to Menth, the God of war. 

The keeper of the lions stood by the Pharaoh's sleeping-tent, andthe tent, which served as a council chamber, was distinguished by thestandards in front of it; but the council-tent was empty and still, while in the kitchen-tent, as well as in the wine-store close by, allwas in a bustle. The large pavilion, in which Rameses and his suite weretaking their evening meal, was more brilliantly lighted than all theothers; it was a covered tent, a long square in shape, and all roundit were colored lamps, which made it as light as day; a body-guard ofSardinians, Libyans, and Egyptians guarded it with drawn swords, andseemed too wholly absorbed with the importance of their office even tonotice the dishes and wine-jars, which the king's pages--the sons ofthe highest families in Egypt--took at the tent-door from the cooks andbutlers. 

The walls and slanting roof of this quickly-built and movablebanqueting-hall, consisted of a strong, impenetrable carpet-stuff, woven at Thebes, and afterwards dyed purple at Tanis by the Phoenicians. Saitic artists had embroidered the vulture, one of the forms in whichNecheb appears, a hundred times on the costly material with threads ofsilver. The cedar-wood pillars of the tent were covered with gold, and the ropes, which secured the light erection to the tent-pegs, weretwisted of silk, and thin threads of silver. Seated round four tables, more than a hundred men were taking their evening meal; at three of themthe generals of the army, the chief priests, and councillors, sat onlight stools; at the fourth, and at some distance from the others, were the princes of the blood; and the king himself sat apart at a hightable, on a throne supported by gilt figures of Asiatic prisonersin chains. His table and throne stood on a low dais covered withpanther-skin; but even without that Rameses would have towered above hiscompanions. His form was powerful, and there was a commanding aspectin his bearded face, and in the high brow, crowned with a golden diademadorned with the heads of two Uraeus-snakes, wearing the crowns of Upperand Lower Egypt. A broad collar of precious stones covered half hisbreast, the lower half was concealed by a scarf or belt, and his barearms were adorned with bracelets. His finely-proportioned limbs lookedas if moulded in bronze, so smoothly were the powerful muscles coveredwith the shining copper-colored skin. Sitting here among those who weredevoted to him, he looked with kind and fatherly pride at his bloomingsons. 

The lion was at rest--but nevertheless he was a lion, and terriblethings might be looked for when he should rouse himself, and when themighty hand, which now dispensed bread, should be clenched for thefight. There was nothing mean in this man, and yet nothing alarming;for, if his eye had a commanding sparkle, the expression of his mouthwas particularly gentle; and the deep voice which could make itselfheard above the clash of fighting men, could also assume the sweetestand most winning tones. His education had not only made him well awareof his greatness and power, but had left him also a genuine man, astranger to none of the emotions of the human soul. 

Behind Pharaoh stood a man, younger than himself, who gave him hiswine-cup after first touching it with his own lips; this was Mena, theking's charioteer and favorite companion. His figure was slight and yetvigorous, supple and yet dignified, and his finely-formed features andfrank bright eyes were full at once of self-respect and of benevolence. Such a man might fail in reflection and counsel, but would be admirableas an honorable, staunch, and faithful friend. 

Among the princes, Chamus sat nearest to the king;

 [He is named Cha-em-Us on the monuments, i. E. , 'splendor in Thebes. ' He became the Sam, or high-priest of Memphis. His mummy was discovered by Mariette in the tomb of Apis at Saqqarah during ha excavations of the Serapeum at Memphis. ]

he was the eldest of his sons, and while still young had been investedwith the dignity of high-priest of Memphis. The curly-haired Rameri, who had been rescued from imprisonment--into which he had fallen on hisjourney from Egypt--had been assigned a place with the younger princesat the lowest end of the table. 

"It all sounds very threatening!" said the king. "But though each of youcroakers speaks the truth, your love for me dims your sight. Infact, all that Rameri has told me, that Bent-Anat writes, that Mena'sstud-keeper says of Ani, and that comes through other channels--amountsto nothing that need disturb us. I know your uncle--I know that he willmake his borrowed throne as wide as he possibly can; but when we returnhome he will be quite content to sit on a narrow seat again. Greatenterprises and daring deeds are not what he excels in; but he is veryapt at carrying out a ready-made system, and therefore I choose him tobe my Regent. "

"But Ameni, " said Chamus, bowing respectfully to his father, "seems tohave stirred up his ambition, and to support him with his advice. Thechief of the House of Seti is a man of great ability, and at least halfof the priesthood are his adherents. "

"I know it, " replied the king. "Their lordships owe me a grudge becauseI have called their serfs to arms, and they want them to till theiracres. A pretty sort of people they have sent me! their courage flieswith the first arrow. They shall guard the camp tomorrow; they will beequal to that when it is made clear to their understanding that, if theylet the tents be taken, the bread, meat and wines-skins will also fallinto the hands of the enemy. If Kadesh is taken by storm, the temples ofthe Nile shall have the greater part of the spoil, and you yourself, myyoung high-priest of Memphis, shall show your colleagues that Ramesesrepays in bushels that which he has taken in handfuls from the ministersof the Gods. "

"Ameni's disaffection, " replied Chamus, "has a deeper root; thy mightyspirit seeks and finds its own way--"

"But their lordships, " interrupted Rameses, "are accustomed to governthe king too, and I--I do not do them credit. I rule as vicar of theLord of the Gods, but--I myself am no God, though they attribute to methe honors of a divinity; and in all humility of heart I willinglyleave it to them to be the mediators between the Immortals and me or mypeople. Human affairs certainly I choose to manage in my own way. Andnow no more of them. I cannot bear to doubt my friends, and trustfulnessis so dear, so essential to me, that I must indulge in it even if myconfidence results in my being deceived. "

The king glanced at Mena, who handed him a golden cup--which he emptied. He looked at the glittering beaker, and then, with a flash of his grave, bright eyes, he added:

"And if I am betrayed--if ten such as Ameni and Ani entice my peopleinto a snare--I shall return home, and will tread the reptiles intodust. "

His deep voice rang out the words, as if he were a herald proclaiming avictorious deed of arms. Not a word was spoken, not a hand moved, whenhe ceased speaking. Then he raised his cup, and said:

"It is well before the battle to uplift our hearts! We have done greatdeeds; distant nations have felt our hand; we have planted our pillarsof conquest by their rivers, and graven the record of our deeds on theirrocks. 

 [Herodotus speaks of the pictures graven on the rocks in the provinces conquered by Rameses II. , in memory of his achievements. He saw two, one of which remains on a rock near Beyrut. ]

Your king is great above all kings, and it is through the might of theGods, and your valor my brave comrades. May to-morrow's fight bring usnew glory! May the Immortals soon bring this war to a close! Empty yourwine cups with me--To victory and a speedy return home in peace!"

"Victory! Victory! Long life to the Pharaoh! Strength and health!" criedthe guests of the king, who, as he descended from his throne, cried tothe drinkers:

"Now, rest till the star of Isis sets. Then follow me to prayer at thealtar of Amon, and then-to battle. "

Fresh cries of triumph sounded through the room, while Rameses gave hishand with a few words of encouragement to each of his sons in turn. He desired the two youngest, Mernephtah and Rameri to follow him, andquitting the banquet with them and Mena, he proceeded, under the escortof his officers and guards, who bore staves before him with goldenlilies and ostrich-feathers, to his sleeping-tent, which was surroundedby a corps d'elite under the command of his sons. Before entering thetent he asked for some pieces of meat, and gave them with his own handto his lions, who let him stroke them like tame cats. 

Then he glanced round the stable, patted the sleek necks and shouldersof his favorite horses, and decided that 'Nura' and 'Victory to Thebes'should bear him into the battle on the morrow. 

 [The horses driven by Rameses at the battle of Kadesh were in fact thus named. ]

When he had gone into the sleeping-tent, he desired his attendants toleave him; he signed Mena to divest him of his ornaments and his arms, and called to him his youngest sons, who were waiting respectfully atthe door of the tent. 

"Why did I desire you to accompany me?" he asked them gravely. Both weresilent, and he repeated his question. 

"Because, " said Rameri at length, "you observed that all was not quiteright between us two. "

"And because, " continued the king, "I desire that unity should existbetween my children. You will have enemies enough to fight withto-morrow, but friends are not often to be found, and are too oftentaken from us by the fortune of war. We ought to feel no anger towardsthe friend we may lose, but expect to meet him lovingly in the otherworld. Speak, Rameri, what has caused a division between you?"

"I bear him no ill-will, " answered Rameri. "You lately gave me the swordwhich Mernephtah has there stuck in his belt, because I did my duty wellin the last skirmish with the enemy. You know we both sleep in the sametent, and yesterday, when I drew my sword out of its sheath to admirethe fine work of the blade, I found that another, not so sharp, had beenput in its place. "

"I had only exchanged my sword for his in fun, " interrupted Mernephtah. "But he can never take a joke, and declared I want to wear a prize thatI had not earned; he would try, he said, to win another and then--"

"I have heard enough; you have both done wrong, " said the King. "Even infun, Mernephtah, you should never cheat or deceive. I did so once, and Iwill tell you what happened, as a warning. 

"My noble mother, Tuaa, desired me, the first time I went intoFenchu--[Phoenicia: on monuments of the 18th dynasty. ]--to bring her apebble from the shore near Byblos, where the body of Osiris was washed. As we returned to Thebes, my mother's request returned to my mind; I wasyoung and thoughtless--I picked up a stone by the way-side, took it withme, and when she asked me for the remembrance from Byblos I silentlygave her the pebble from Thebes. She was delighted, she showed it to herbrothers and sisters, and laid it by the statues of her ancestors; but Iwas miserable with shame and penitence, and at last I secretly took awaythe stone, and threw it into the water. All the servants were calledtogether, and strict enquiry was made as to the theft of the stone; thenI could hold out no longer, and confessed everything. No one punishedme, and yet I never suffered more severely; from that time I have neverdeviated from the exact truth even in jest. Take the lesson to heart, Mernephtah--you, Rameri, take back your sword, and, believe me, lifebrings us so many real causes of vexation, that it is well to learnearly to pass lightly over little things if you do not wish to becomea surly fellow like the pioneer Paaker; and that seems far from likelywith a gay, reckless temper like yours. Now shake hands with eachother. "

The young princes went up to each other, and Rameri fell on hisbrother's neck and kissed him. The king stroked their heads. "Now goin peace, " he said, "and to-morrow you shall both strive to win a freshmark of honor. "

When his sons had left the tent, Rameses turned to his charioteer andsaid: "I have to speak to you too before the battle. I can read yoursoul through your eyes, and it seems to me that things have gone wrongwith you since the keeper of your stud arrived here. What has happenedin Thebes?" Mena looked frankly, but sadly at the king:

"My mother-in-law Katuti, " he said, "is managing my estate very badly, pledging the land, and selling the cattle. "

"That can be remedied, " said Rameses kindly. "You know I promised togrant you the fulfilment of a wish, if Nefert trusted you as perfectlyas you believe. But it appears to me as if something more nearlyconcerning you than this were wrong, for I never knew you anxious aboutmoney and lands. Speak openly! you know I am your father, and the heartand the eye of the man who guides my horses in battle, must be openwithout reserve to my gaze. "

Mena kissed the king's robe; then he said:

"Nefert has left Katuti's house, and as thou knowest has followed thydaughter, Bent-Anat, to the sacred mountain, and to Megiddo. "

"I thought the change was a good one, " replied Rameses. "I leaveBent-Anat in the care of Bent-Anat, for she needs no other guardianship, and your wife can have no better protector than Bent-Anat. "

"Certainly not!" exclaimed Mena with sincere emphasis. "But before theystarted, miserable things occurred. Thou knowest that before she marriedme she was betrothed to her cousin, the pioneer Paaker, and he, duringhis stay in Thebes, has gone in and out of my house, has helped Katutiwith an enormous sum to pay the debts of my wild brother-in-law, and-asmy stud-keeper saw with his own eyes-has made presents of flowers toNefert. "

The king smiled, laid his hand on Mena's shoulder, and said, as helooked in his face: "Your wife will trust you, although you take astrange woman into your tent, and you allow yourself to doubt herbecause her cousin gives her some flowers! Is that wise or just? Ibelieve you are jealous of the broad-shouldered ruffian that somespiteful Wight laid in the nest of the noble Mohar, his father. "

"No, that I am not, " replied Mena, "nor does any doubt of Nefert disturbmy soul; but it torments me, it nettles me, it disgusts me, that Paakerof all men, whom I loathe as a venomous spider, should look at her andmake her presents under my very roof. "

"He who looks for faith must give faith, " said the king. "And must notI myself submit to accept songs of praise from the most contemptiblewretches? Come--smooth your brow; think of the approaching victory, ofour return home, and remember that you have less to forgive Paaker thanhe to forgive you. Now, pray go and see to the horses, and to-morrowmorning let me see you on my chariot full of cheerful courage--as I loveto see you. "

Mena left the tent, and went to the stables; there he met Rameri, whowas waiting to speak to him. The eager boy said that he had alwayslooked up to him and loved him as a brilliant example, but that latelyhe had been perplexed as to his virtuous fidelity, for he had beeninformed that Mena had taken a strange woman into his tent--he who wasmarried to the fairest and sweetest woman in Thebes. 

"I have known her, " he concluded, "as well as if I were her brother;and I know that she would die if she heard that you had insulted anddisgraced her. Yes, insulted her; for such a public breach of faith isan insult to the wife of an Egyptian. Forgive my freedom of speech, butwho knows what to-morrow may bring forth--and I would not for worlds goout to battle, thinking evil of you. "

Mena let Rameri speak without interruption, and then answered:

"You are as frank as your father, and have learned from him to hear thedefendant before you condemn him. A strange maiden, the daughter of theking of the Danaids, [A people of the Greeks at the time of the Trojan war. They are mentioned among the nations of the Mediterranean allied against Rameses III. The Dardaneans were inhabitants of the Trojan provinces of Dardanin, and whose name was used for the Trojans generally. ]

lives in my tent, but I for months have slept at the door of yourfather's, and I have not once entered my own since she has been there. Now sit down by me, and let me tell you how it all happened. We hadpitched the camp before Kadesh, and there was very little for me to do, as Rameses was still laid up with his wound, so I often passed my timein hunting on the shores of the lake. One day I went as usual, armedonly with my bow and arrow, and, accompanied by my grey-hounds, heedlessly followed a hare; a troop of Danaids fell upon me, bound mewith cords, and led me into their camp. 

 [Grey-hounds, trained to hunt hares, are represented in the most ancient tombs, for instance, the Mastaba at Meydum, belonging to the time of Snefru (four centuries B. C. ). ]

There I was led before the judges as a spy, and they had actuallycondemned me, and the rope was round my neck, when their king came up, saw me, and subjected me to a fresh examination. I told him the factsat full length--how I had fallen into the hands of his people whilefollowing up my game, and not as an enemy, and he heard me favorably, and granted me not only life but freedom. He knew me for a noble, andtreated me as one, inviting me to feed at his own table, and I swore inmy heart, when he let me go, that I would make him some return for hisgenerous conduct. 

"About a month after, we succeeded in surprising the Cheta position, andthe Libyan soldiers, among other spoil, brought away the Danaid king'sonly daughter. I had behaved valiantly, and when we came to the divisionof the spoils Rameses allowed me to choose first. I laid my hand on themaid, the daughter of my deliverer and host, I led her to my tent, andleft her there with her waiting-women till peace is concluded, and I canrestore her to her father. "

"Forgive my doubts!" cried Rameri holding out his hand. "Now Iunderstand why the king so particularly enquired whether Nefert believedin your constancy to her. "

"And what was your answer?" asked Mena. 

"That she thinks of you day and night, and never for an instant doubtedyou. My father seemed delighted too, and he said to Chamus: 'He has wonthere!"

"He will grant me some great favor, " said Mena in explanation, "if, whenshe hears I have taken a strange maiden to my tent her confidence in meis not shaken, Rameses considers it simply impossible, but I know that Ishall win. Why! she must trust me. "

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Before the battle, [The battle about to be described is taken entirely from the epos of Pentaur. ]

prayers were offered and victims sacrificed for each division of thearmy. Images of the Gods were borne through the ranks in their festalbarks, and miraculous relics were exhibited to the soldiers; heraldsannounced that the high-priest had found favorable omens in the victimsoffered by the king, and that the haruspices foretold a gloriousvictory. Each Egyptian legion turned with particular faith to thestandard which bore the image of the sacred animal or symbol of theprovince where it had been levied, but each soldier was also providedwith charms and amulets of various kinds; one had tied to his neck orarm a magical text in a little bag, another the mystic preservativeeye, and most of them wore a scarabaeus in a finger ring. Many believedthemselves protected by having a few hairs or feathers of some sacredanimal, and not a few put themselves under the protection of a livingsnake or beetle carefully concealed in a pocket of their apron or intheir little provision-sack. 

When the king, before whom were carried the images of the divine Triadof Thebes, of Menth, the God of War and of Necheb, the Goddess ofVictory, reviewed the ranks, he was borne in a litter on the shouldersof twenty-four noble youths; at his approach the whole host fellon their knees, and did not rise till Rameses, descending from hisposition, had, in the presence of them all, burned incense, and made alibation to the Gods, and his son Chamus had delivered to him, in thename of the Immortals, the symbols of life and power. Finally, thepriests sang a choral hymn to the Sun-god Ra, and to his son and vicaron earth, the king. 

Just as the troops were put in motion, the paling stars appeared inthe sky, which had hitherto been covered with thick clouds; and thisoccurrence was regarded as a favorable omen, the priests declaring tothe army that, as the coming Ra had dispersed the clouds, so the Pharaohwould scatter his enemies. 

With no sound of trumpet or drum, so as not to arouse the enemy, thefoot-soldiers went forward in close order, the chariot-warriors, each inhis light two-wheeled chariot drawn by two horses, formed their ranks, and the king placed himself at their head. On each side of the giltchariot in which he stood, a case was fixed, glittering with preciousstones, in which were his bows and arrows. His noble horses were richlycaparisoned; purple housings, embroidered with turquoise beads, coveredtheir backs and necks, and a crown-shaped ornament was fixed on theirheads, from which fluttered a bunch of white ostrich-feathers. At theend of the ebony pole of the chariot, were two small padded yokes, whichrested on the necks of the horses, who pranced in front as if playingwith the light vehicle, pawed the earth with their small hoofs, andtossed and curved their slender necks. 

The king wore a shirt of mail, [The remains of a shirt of mail, dating from the time of Scheschenk I. (Sesonchis), who belonged to the 22d dynasty, is in the British Museum. It is made of leather, on which bronze scales are fastened. ]

over which lay the broad purple girdle of his apron, and on his head wasthe crown of Upper and Lower Egypt; behind him stood Mena, who, with hisleft hand, tightly held the reins, and with his right the shield whichwas to protect his sovereign in the fight. 

The king stood like a storm-proof oak, and Mena by his side like asapling ash. 

The eastern horizon was rosy with the approaching sun-rise when theyquitted the precincts of the camp; at this moment the pioneer Paakeradvanced to meet the king, threw himself on the ground before him, kissed the earth, and, in answer to the king's question as to why he hadcome without his brother, told him that Horus was taken suddenly ill. The shades of dawn concealed from the king the guilty color, whichchanged to sallow paleness, on the face of the pioneer--unaccustomedhitherto to lying and treason. 

"How is it with the enemy?" asked Rameses. 

"He is aware, " replied Paaker, "that a fight is impending, and iscollecting numberless hosts in the camps to the south and east of thecity. If thou could'st succeed in falling on the rear from the north ofKadesh, while the foot soldiers seize the camp of the Asiatics from thesouth, the fortress will be thine before night. The mountain path thatthou must follow, so as not to be discovered, is not a bad one. "

"Are you ill as well as your brother, man?" asked the king. "Your voicetrembles. "

"I was never better, " answered the Mohar. 

"Lead the way, " commanded the king, and Paaker obeyed. They went on insilence, followed by the vast troop of chariots through the dewy morningair, first across the plain, and then into the mountain range. The corpsof Ra, armed with bows and arrows, preceeded them to clear the way; theycrossed the narrow bed of a dry torrent, and then a broad valley openedbefore them, extending to the right and left and enclosed by ranges ofmountains. 

"The road is good, " said Rameses, turning to Mena. "The Mohar haslearned his duties from his father, and his horses are capital. Now heleads the way, and points it out to the guards, and then in a moment heis close to us again. "

"They are the golden-bays of my breed, " said Mena, and the veins startedangrily in his forehead. "My stud-master tells me that Katuti sent themto him before his departure. They were intended for Nefert's chariot, and he drives them to-day to defy and spite me. "

"You have the wife--let the horses go, " said Rameses soothingly. 

Suddenly a blast of trumpets rang through the morning air; whence itcame could not be seen, and yet it sounded close at hand. 

Rameses started up and took his battle-axe from his girdle, the horsespricked their ears, and Mena exclaimed:

"Those are the trumpets of the Cheta! I know the sound. "

A closed wagon with four wheels in which the king's lions were conveyed, followed the royal chariot. "Let loose the lions!" cried the king, whoheard an echoing war cry, and soon after saw the vanguard which hadpreceded him, and which was broken up by the chariots of the enemy, flying towards him down the valley again. 

The wild beasts shook their manes and sprang in front of their master'schariot with loud roars. Mena lashed his whip, the horses startedforward and rushed with frantic plunges towards the fugitives, whohowever could not be brought to a standstill, or rallied by the king'svoice--the enemy were close upon them, cutting them down. 

"Where is Paaker?" asked the king. But the pioneer had vanished ascompletely as if the earth had swallowed him and his chariot. 

The flying Egyptians and the death-dealing chariots of the enemy camenearer and nearer, the ground trembled, the tramp of hoofs and theroar of wheels sounded louder and louder, like the roll of a rapidlyapproaching storm. 

Then Rameses gave out a war cry, that rang back from the cliffs onthe right hand and on the left like the blast of a trumpet; hischariot-guard joined in the shout--for an instant the flying Egyptianspaused, but only to rush on again with double haste, in hope of escapeand safety: suddenly the war-cry of the enemy was heard behind theking, mingling with the trumpet-call of the Cheta, and out from a crossvalley, which the king had passed unheeded by--and into which Paaker haddisappeared--came an innumerable host of chariots which, before the kingcould retreat, had broken through the Egyptian ranks, and cut him offfrom the body of his army. Behind him he could hear the roar and shockof the battle, in front of him he saw the fugitives, the fallen, and theenemy growing each instant in numbers and fury. He saw the whole danger, and drew up his powerful form as if to prove whether it were an equalmatch for such a foe. Then, raising his voice to such a pitch, that itsounded above the cries and groans of the fighting men, the words ofcommand, the neighing of the horses, the crash of overthrown chariots, the dull whirr of lances and swords, their heavy blows on shields andhelmets, and the whole bewildering tumult of the battle--with a loudshout he drew his bow, and his first arrow pierced a Cheta chief. 

His lions sprang forward, and carried confusion into the hosts that werecrowding down upon him, for many of their horses became unmanageable atthe roar of the furious brutes, overthrew the chariots, and so hemmedthe advance of the troops in the rear. Rameses sent arrow after arrow, while Mena covered him with the shield from the shots of the enemy. Hishorses meanwhile had carried him forward, and he could fell the foremostof the Asiatics with his battle-axe; close by his side fought Rameri andthree other princes; in front of him were the lions. 

The press was fearful, and the raging of the battle wild and deafening, like the roar of the surging ocean when it is hurled by a hurricaneagainst a rocky coast. 

Mena seemed to be in two places at once, for, while he guided the horsesforwards, backwards, or to either hand, as the exigences of the positiondemanded, not one of the arrows shot at the king touched him. His eyewas everywhere, the shield always ready, and not an eyelash of the younghero trembled, while Rameses, each moment more infuriated, incited hislions with wild war-cries, and with flashing eyes advanced farther andfarther into the enemy's ranks. 

Three arrows aimed, not at the king but at Mena himself, were stickingin the charioteer's shield, and by chance he saw written on the shaft ofone of them the words "Death to Mena. "

A fourth arrow whizzed past him. His eye followed its flight, and as hemarked the spot whence it had come, a fifth wounded his shoulder, and hecried out to the king:

"We are betrayed! Look over there! Paaker is fighting with the Cheta. "

Once more the Mohar had bent his bow, and came so near to the king'schariot that he could be heard exclaiming in a hoarse voice, as he letthe bowstring snap, "Now I will reckon with you--thief! robber! My brideis your wife, but with this arrow I will win Mena's widow. "

The arrow cut through the air, and fell with fearful force on thecharioteer's helmet; the shield fell from his grasp, and he put his handto his head, feeling stunned; he heard Paaker's laugh of triumph, hefelt another of his enemy's arrows cut his wrist, and, beside himselfwith rage, he flung away the reins, brandished his battle-axe, andforgetting himself and his duty, sprang from the chariot and rushed uponPaaker. The Mohar awaited him with uplifted sword; his lips werewhite, his eyes bloodshot, his wide nostrils trembled like those of anover-driven horse, and foaming and hissing he flew at his mortal foe. The king saw the two engaged in a struggle, but he could not interfere, for the reins which Mena had dropped were dragging on the ground, andhis ungoverned horses, following the lions, carried him madly onwards. 

Most of his comrades had fallen, the battle raged all round him, butRameses stood as firm as a rock, held the shield in front of him, andswung the deadly battle-axe; he saw Rameri hastening towards him withhis horses, the youth was fighting like a hero, and Rameses called outto encourage him: "Well done! a worthy grandson of Seti!"

"I will win a new sword!" cried the boy, and he cleft the skull of oneof his antagonists. But he was soon surrounded by the chariots of theenemy; the king saw the enemy pull down the young prince's horses, andall his comrades--among whom were many of the best warriors--turn theirhorses in flight. 

Then one of the lions was pierced by a lance, and sank with a dying roarof rage and pain that was heard above all the tumult. The king himselfhad been grazed by an arrow, a sword stroke had shivered his shield, andhis last arrow had been shot away. 

Still spreading death around him, he saw death closing in upon him, and, without giving up the struggle, he lifted up his voice in ferventprayer, calling on Amon for support and rescue. 

While thus in the sorest need he was addressing himself to the Lords ofHeaven, a tall Egyptian suddenly appeared in the midst of the struggleand turmoil of the battle, seized the reins, and sprang into the chariotbehind the king, to whom he bowed respectfully. For the first timeRameses felt a thrill of fear. Was this a miracle? Had Amon heard hisprayer?

He looked half fearfully round at his new charioteer, and when hefancied he recognized the features of the deceased Mohar, the father ofthe traitor Paaker, he believed that Amon had assumed this aspect, andhad come himself to save him. 

"Help is at hand!" cried his new companion. "If we hold our own for onlya short time longer, thou art saved, and victory is ours. "

Then once more Rameses raised his war-cry, felled a Cheta, who wasstanding close to him to the ground, with a blow on his skull, while themysterious supporter by his side, who covered him with the shield, onhis part also dealt many terrible strokes. 

Thus some long minutes passed in renewed strife; then a trumpet soundedabove the roar of the battle, and this time Rameses recognized thecall of the Egyptians; from behind a low ridge on his right rushed somethousands of men of the foot-legion of Ptah who, under the command ofHorus, fell upon the enemy's flank. They saw their king, and the dangerhe was in. They flung themselves with fury on the foes that surroundedhim, dealing death as they advanced, and putting the Cheta to flight, and soon Rameses saw himself safe, and protected by his followers. 

But his mysterious friend in need had vanished. He had been hit by anarrow, and had fallen to the earth--a quite mortal catastrophe; butRameses still believed that one of the Immortals had come to his rescue. 

But the king granted no long respite to his horses and his fighting-men;he turned to go back by the way by which he had come, fell upon theforces which divided him from the main army, took them in the rear whilethey were still occupied with his chariot-brigade which was alreadygiving way, and took most of the Asiatics prisoners who escaped thearrows and swords of the Egyptians. Having rejoined the main body of thetroops, he pushed forwards across the plain where the Asiatic horse andchariot-legions were engaged with the Egyptian swordsmen, and forced theenemy back upon the river Orontes and the lake of Kadesh. Night-fallput an end to the battle, though early next morning the struggle wasrenewed. 

Utter discouragement had fallen upon the Asiatic allies, who had goneinto battle in full security of victory; for the pioneer Paaker hadbetrayed his king into their hands. 

When the Pharaoh had set out, the best chariot-warriors of the Chetawere drawn up in a spot concealed by the city, and sent forward againstRameses through the northern opening of the valley by which he was topass, while other troops of approved valor, in all two thousand fivehundred chariots, were to fall upon him from a cross valley where theytook up their position during the night. 

These tactics had been successfully carried out, and notwithstandingthe Asiatics had suffered a severe defeat--besides losing some of theirnoblest heroes, among them Titure their Chancellor, and Chiropasar, thechronicler of the Cheta king, who could wield the sword as effectivelyas the pen, and who, it was intended, should celebrate the victory ofthe allies, and perpetuate its glory to succeeding generations. Rameseshad killed one of these with his own hands, and his unknown companionthe other, and besides these many other brave captains of the enemy'stroops. The king was greeted as a god, when he returned to the camp, with shouts of triumph and hymns of praise. 

Even the temple-servants, and the miserable troops from UpperEgypt-ground down by the long war, and bought over by Ani--were carriedaway by the universal enthusiasm, and joyfully hailed the hero and kingwho had successfully broken the stiff necks of his enemies. 

The next duty was to seek out the dead and wounded; among the latter wasMena; Rameri also was missing, but news was brought next day that he hadfallen into the hands of the enemy, and he was immediately exchanged forthe princess who had been sheltered in Mena's tent. 

Paaker had disappeared; but the bays which he had driven into the battlewere found unhurt in front of his ruined and blood-sprinkled chariot. 

The Egyptians were masters of Kadesh, and Chetasar, the king of theCheta, sued to be allowed to treat for peace, in his own name and inthat of his allies; but Rameses refused to grant any terms till he hadreturned to the frontier of Egypt. The conquered peoples had no choice, and the representative of the Cheta king--who himself was wounded--andtwelve princes of the principal nations who had fought against Rameses, were forced to follow his victorious train. Every respect was shownthem, and they were treated as the king himself, but they were nonethe less his prisoners. The king was anxious to lose no time, for sadsuspicion filled his heart; a shadow hitherto unknown to his bright andgenial nature had fallen upon his spirit. 

This was the first occasion on which one of his own people had betrayedhim to the enemy. Paaker's deed had shaken his friendly confidence, andin his petition for peace the Cheta prince had intimated that Ramesesmight find much in his household to be set to rights--perhaps with astrong hand. 

The king felt himself more than equal to cope with Ani, the priests, andall whom he had left in Egypt; but it grieved him to be obliged tofeel any loss of confidence, and it was harder to him to bear than anyreverse of fortune. It urged him to hasten his return to Egypt. 

There was another thing which embittered his victory. Mena, whom heloved as his own son, who understood his lightest sign, who, as soonas he mounted his chariot, was there by his side like a part ofhimself--had been dismissed from his office by the judgment of thecommander-in-chief, and no longer drove his horses. He himself had beenobliged to confirm this decision as just and even mild, for that man wasworthy of death who exposed his king to danger for the gratification ofhis own revenge. 

Rameses had not seen Mena since his struggle with Paaker, but helistened anxiously to the news which was brought him of the progress ofhis sorely wounded officer. 

The cheerful, decided, and practical nature of Rameses was averse toevery kind of dreaminess or self-absorption, and no one had ever seenhim, even in hours of extreme weariness, give himself up to vague andmelancholy brooding; but now he would often sit gazing at the ground inwrapt meditation, and start like an awakened sleeper when his reveriewas disturbed by the requirements of the outer world around him. Ahundred times before he had looked death in the face, and defied it ashe would any other enemy, but now it seemed as though he felt the coldhand of the mighty adversary on his heart. He could not forget theoppressive sense of helplessness which had seized him when he had felthimself at the mercy of the unrestrained horses, like a leaf driven bythe wind, and then suddenly saved by a miracle. 

A miracle? Was it really Amon who had appeared in human form at hiscall? Was he indeed a son of the Gods, and did their blood flow in hisveins?

The Immortals had shown him peculiar favor, but still he was but a man;that he realized from the pain in his wound, and the treason to whichhe had been a victim. He felt as if he had been respited on the veryscaffold. Yes; he was a man like all other men, and so he would stillbe. He rejoiced in the obscurity that veiled his future, in the manyweaknesses which he had in common with those whom he loved, and evenin the feeling that he, under the same conditions of life as hiscontemporaries, had more responsibilities than they. 

Shortly after his victory, after all the important passes andstrongholds had been conquered by his troops, he set out for Egyptwith his train and the vanquished princes. He sent two of his sons toBent-Anat at Megiddo, to escort her by sea to Pelusium; he knew that thecommandant of the harbor of that frontier fortress, at the easternmostlimit of his kingdom, was faithful to him, and he ordered that hisdaughter should not quit the ship till he arrived, to secure her againstany attempt on the part of the Regent. A large part of the material ofwar, and most of the wounded, were also sent to Egypt by sea. 

CHAPTER XL. 

Nearly three months had passed since the battle of Kadesh, and to-daythe king was expected, on his way home with his victorious army, atPelusium, the strong hold and key of Egyptian dominion in the east. Splendid preparations had been made for his reception, and the man whotook the lead in the festive arrangements with a zeal that was doublyeffective from his composed demeanor was no less a person than theRegent Ani. 

His chariot was to be seen everywhere: now he was with the workmen, who were to decorate triumphal arches with fresh flowers; now with theslaves, who were hanging garlands on the wooden lions erected on theroad for this great occasion; now--and this detained him longest--hewatched the progress of the immense palace which was being rapidlyconstructed of wood on the site where formerly the camp of the Hyksoshad stood, in which the actual ceremony of receiving the king was totake place, and where the Pharaoh and his immediate followers wereto reside. It had been found possible, by employing several thousandlaborers, to erect this magnificent structure, in a few weeks, andnothing was lacking to it that could be desired, even by a king soaccustomed as Rameses to luxury and splendor. A high exterior flight ofsteps led from the garden--which had been created out of a waste--to thevestibule, out of which the banqueting hall opened. 

This was of unusual height, and had a vaulted wooden ceiling, which waspainted blue and sprinkled with stars, to represent the night heavens, and which was supported on pillars carved, some in the form ofdate-palms, and some like cedars of Lebanon; the leaves and twigsconsisted of artfully fastened and colored tissue; elegant festoons ofbluish gauze were stretched from pillar to pillar across the hall, and in the centre of the eastern wall they were attached to a largeshell-shaped canopy extending over the throne of the king, which wasdecorated with pieces of green and blue glass, of mother of pearl, ofshining plates of mica, and other sparkling objects. 

The throne itself had the shape of a buckler, guarded by two lions, which rested on each side of it and formed the arms, and supported onthe backs of four Asiatic captives who crouched beneath its weight. Thick carpets, which seemed to have transported the sea-shore on to thedry land-for their pale blue ground was strewn with a variety of shells, fishes, and water plants-covered the floor of the banqueting hall, inwhich three hundred seats were placed by the tables, for the nobles ofthe kingdom and the officers of the troops. 

Above all this splendor hung a thousand lamps, shaped like lilies andtulips, and in the entrance hall stood a huge basket of roses to bestrewn before the king when he should arrive. 

Even the bed-rooms for the king and his suite were splendidly decorated;finely embroidered purple stuffs covered the walls, a light cloud ofpale blue gauze hung across the ceiling, and giraffe skins were laidinstead of carpets on the floors. 

The barracks intended for the soldiers and bodyguard stood nearer tothe city, as well as the stable buildings, which were divided from thepalace by the garden which surrounded it. A separate pavilion, giltand wreathed with flowers, was erected to receive the horses which hadcarried the king through the battle, and which he had dedicated to theSun-God. 

The Regent Ani, accompanied by Katuti, was going through the whole ofthese slightly built structures. 

"It seems to me all quite complete, " said the widow. 

"Only one thing I cannot make up my mind about, " replied Ani, "whethermost to admire your inventive genius or your exquisite taste. "

"Oh! let that pass, " said Katuti smiling. "If any thing deservesyour praise it is my anxiety to serve you. How many things had to beconsidered before this structure at last stood complete on this marshyspot where the air seemed alive with disgusting insects and now it isfinished how long will it last?"

Ani looked down. "How long?" he repeated. Then he continued: "There isgreat risk already of the plot miscarrying. Ameni has grown cool, andwill stir no further in the matter; the troops on which I counted areperhaps still faithful to me, but much too weak; the Hebrews, who tendtheir flocks here, and whom I gained over by liberating them from forcedlabor, have never borne arms. And you know the people. They will kissthe feet of the conqueror if they have to wade up to there through theblood of their children. Besides--as it happens--the hawk which old Hektkeeps as representing me is to-day pining and sick--"

"It will be all the prouder and brighter to-morrow if you are a man!"exclaimed Katuti, and her eyes sparkled with scorn. "You cannot nowretreat. Here in Pelusium you welcome Rameses as if he were a God, and he accepts the honor. I know the king, he is too proud to bedistrustful, and so conceited that he can never believe himself deceivedin any man, either friend or foe. The man whom he appointed to be hisRegent, whom he designated as the worthiest in the land, he will mostunwillingly condemn. Today you still have the car of the king; to-morrowhe will listen to your enemies, and too much has occurred in Thebes tobe blotted out. You are in the position of a lion who has his keeper onone side, and the bars of his cage on the other. If you let the momentpass without striking you will remain in the cage; but if you act andshow yourself a lion your keepers are done for!"

"You urge me on and on, " said Ani. "But supposing your plan were tofail, as Paaker's well considered plot failed?"

"Then you are no worse off than you are now, " answered Katuti. "TheGods rule the elements, not men. Is it likely that you should finish sobeautiful a structure with such care only to destroy it? And we have noaccomplices, and need none. "

"But who shall set the brand to the room which Nemu and the slave havefilled with straw and pitch?" asked Ani. 

"I, " said Katuti decidedly. "And one who has nothing to look for fromRameses. "

"Who is that?"

"Paaker. "

"Is the Mohar here?" asked the Regent surprised. 

"You yourself have seen him. "

"You are mistaken, " said Ani. "I should--"

"Do you recollect the one-eyed, grey-haired, blackman, who yesterdaybrought me a letter? That was my sister's son. "

The Regent struck his forehead--"Poor wretch" he muttered. 

"He is frightfully altered, " said Katuti. "He need not have blackenedhis face, for his own mother would not know him again: He lost an eye inhis fight with Mena, who also wounded him in the lungs with a thrustof his sword, so that he breathes and speaks with difficulty, his broadshoulders have lost their flesh, and the fine legs he swaggered about onhave shrunk as thin as a negro's. I let him pass as my servant withoutany hesitation or misgiving. He does not yet know of my purpose, but Iam sure that he would help us if a thousand deaths threatened him. ForGod's sake put aside all doubts and fears! We will shake the tree foryou, if you will only hold out your hand to-morrow to pick up the fruit. Only one thing I must beg. Command the head butler not to stint thewine, so that the guards may give us no trouble. I know that you gavethe order that only three of the five ships which brought the contentsof your winelofts should be unloaded. I should have thought that thefuture king of Egypt might have been less anxious to save!"

Katuti's lips curled with contempt as she spoke the last words. Aniobserved this and said:

"You think I am timid! Well, I confess I would far rather that muchwhich I have done at your instigation could be undone. I would willinglyrenounce this new plot, though we so carefully planned it when we builtand decorated this palace. I will sacrifice the wine; there are jars ofwine there that were old in my father's time--but it must be so! You areright! Many things have occurred which the king will not forgive! Youare right, you are right--do what seems good to you. I will retire afterthe feast to the Ethiopian camp. "

"They will hail you as king as soon as the usurpers have fallen in theflames, " cried Katuti. "If only a few set the example, the others willtake up the cry, and even though you have offended Ameni he will attachhimself to you rather than to Rameses. Here he comes, and I already seethe standards in the distance. "

"They are coming!" said the Regent. "One thing more! Pray see yourselfthat the princess Bent-Anat goes to the rooms intended for her; she mustnot be injured. "

"Still Bent-Anat?" said Katuti with a smile full of meaning but withoutbitterness. "Be easy, her rooms are on the ground floor, and she shallbe warned in time. "

Ani turned to leave her; he glanced once more at the great hall, andsaid with a sigh. "My heart is heavy--I wish this day and this nightwere over!"

"You are like this grand hall, " said Katuti smiling, "which is nowempty, almost dismal; but this evening, when it is crowded with guests, it will look very different. You were born to be a king, and yet are nota king; you will not be quite yourself till the crown and sceptre areyour own. "

Ani smiled too, thanked her, and left her; but Katuti said to herself:

"Bent-Anat may burn with the rest: I have no intention of sharing mypower with her!"

Crowds of men and women from all parts had thronged to Pelusium, towelcome the conqueror and his victorious army on the frontier. Everygreat temple-college had sent a deputation to meet Rameses, that fromthe Necropolis consisting of five members, with Ameni and old Gagabuat their head. The white-robed ministers of the Gods marched in solemnprocession towards the bridge which lay across the eastern-Pelusiac-armof the Nile, and led to Egypt proper--the land fertilized by the watersof the sacred stream. 

The deputation from the temple of Memphis led the procession; thistemple had been founded by Mena, the first king who wore the unitedcrowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, and Chamus, the king's son, was thehigh-priest. The deputation from the not less important temple ofHeliopolis came next, and was followed by the representatives of theNecropolis of Thebes. 

A few only of the members of these deputations wore the modestwhite robe of the simple priest; most of them were invested with thepanther-skin which was worn by the prophets. Each bore a staff decoratedwith roses, lilies, and green branches, and many carried censers in theform of a golden arm with incense in the hollow of the hand, to be burntbefore the king. Among the deputies from the priesthood at Thebes wereseveral women of high rank, who served in the worship of this God, andamong them was Katuti, who by the particular desire of the Regent hadlately been admitted to this noble sisterhood. 

Ameni walked thoughtfully by the side of the prophet Gagabu. 

"How differently everything has happened from what we hoped andintended!" said Gagabu in a low voice. "We are like ambassadors withsealed credentials--who can tell their contents?"

"I welcome Rameses heartily and joyfully, " said Ameni. "After that whichhappened to him at Kadesh he will come home a very different man to whathe was when he set out. He knows now what he owes to Amon. His favoriteson was already at the head of the ministers of the temple at Memphis, and he has vowed to build magnificent temples and to bring splendidofferings to the Immortals. And Rameses keeps his word better than thatsmiling simpleton in the chariot yonder. "

"Still I am sorry for Ani, " said Gagabu. 

"The Pharaoh will not punish him--certainly not, " replied thehigh-priest. "And he will have nothing to fear from Ani; he is a feeblereed, the powerless sport of every wind. "

"And yet you hoped for great things from him!"

"Not from him, but through him--with us for his guides, " replied Ameniin a low voice but with emphasis. "It is his own fault that I haveabandoned his cause. Our first wish--to spare the poet Pentaur--he wouldnot respect, and he did not hesitate to break his oath, to betray us, and to sacrifice one of the noblest of God's creatures, as the poetwas, to gratify a petty grudge. It is harder to fight against cunningweakness than against honest enmity. Shall we reward the man who hasdeprived the world of Pentaur by giving him a crown? It is hard to quitthe trodden way, and seek a better--to give up a half-executed plan andtake a more promising one; it is hard, I say, for the individual man, and makes him seem fickle in the eyes of others; but we cannot see tothe right hand and the left, and if we pursue a great end we cannotremain within the narrow limits which are set by law and custom to theactions of private individuals. We draw back just as we seem to havereached the goal, we let him fall whom we had raised, and lift him, whom we had stricken to the earth, to the pinnacle of glory, in shortwe profess--and for thousands of years have professed--the doctrine thatevery path is a right one that leads to the great end of securing to thepriesthood the supreme power in the land. Rameses, saved by a miracle, vowing temples to the Gods, will for the future exhaust his restlessspirit not in battle as a warrior, but in building as an architect. Hewill make use of us, and we can always lead the man who needs us. So Inow hail the son of Seti with sincere joy. "

Ameni was still speaking when the flags were hoisted on the standards bythe triumphal arches, clouds of dust rolled up on the farther shore ofthe Nile, and the blare of trumpets was heard. 

First came the horses which had carried Rameses through the fight, withthe king himself, who drove them. His eyes sparkled with joyful triumphas the people on the farther side of the bridge received him with shoutsof joy, and the vast multitude hailed him with wild enthusiasm and tearsof emotion, strewing in his path the spoils of their gardens-flowers, garlands, and palm-branches. 

Ani marched at the head of the procession that went forth to meethim; he humbly threw himself in the dust before the horses, kissedthe ground, and then presented to the king the sceptre that hadbeen entrusted to him, lying on a silk cushion. The king received itgraciously, and when Ani took his robe to kiss it, the king bent downtowards him, and touching the Regent's forehead with his lips, desiredhim to take the place by his side in the chariot, and fill the office ofcharioteer. 

The king's eyes were moist with grateful emotion. He had not beendeceived, and he could re-enter the country for whose greatness andwelfare alone he lived, as a father, loving and beloved, and not asa master to judge and punish. He was deeply moved as he accepted thegreetings of the priests, and with them offered up a public prayer. Thenhe was conducted to the splendid structure which had been prepared forhim gaily mounted the outside steps, and from the top-most stairbowed to his innumerable crowd of subjects; and while he awaited theprocession from the harbor which escorted Bent-Anat in her litter, heinspected the thousand decorated bulls and antelopes which were tobe slaughtered as a thank-offering to the Gods, the tame lions andleopards, the rare trees in whose branches perched gaily-colored birds, the giraffes, and chariots to which ostriches were harnessed, which allmarched past him in a long array. 

 [The splendor of the festivities I make Ani prepare seems pitiful compared with those Ptolemy Philadelphus, according to the report of an eye witness, Callexenus, displayed to the Alexandrians on a festal occasion. ]

Rameses embraced his daughter before all the people; he felt as if hemust admit his subjects to the fullest sympathy in the happiness anddeep thankfulness which filled his soul. His favorite child had neverseemed to him so beautiful as this day, and he realized with deepemotion her strong resemblance to his lost wife. --[Her name was IsisNefert. ]

Nefert had accompanied her royal friend as fanbearer, and she kneltbefore the king while he gave himself up to the delight of meeting hisdaughter. Then he observed her, and kindly desired her to rise. "Howmuch, " he said, "I am feeling to-day for the first time! I have alreadylearned that what I formerly thought of as the highest happinessis capable of a yet higher pitch, and I now perceive that the mostbeautiful is capable of growing to greater beauty! A sun has grown fromMena's star. "

Rameses, as he spoke, remembered his charioteer; for a moment his browwas clouded, and he cast down his eyes, and bent his head in thought. 

Bent-Anat well knew this gesture of her father's; it was the omen ofsome kindly, often sportive suggestion, such as he loved to surprise hisfriends with. 

He reflected longer than usual; at last he looked up, and his full eyesrested lovingly on his daughter as he asked her:

"What did your friend say when she heard that her husband had taken apretty stranger into his tent, and harbored her there for months? Tellme the whole truth of it, Bent-Anat. "

"I am indebted to this deed of Mena's, which must certainly be quiteexcusable if you can smile when you speak of it, " said the princess, "for it was the cause of his wife's coming to me. Her mother blamed herhusband with bitter severity, but she would not cease to believe in him, and left her house because it was impossible for her to endure to hearhim blamed. "

"Is this the fact?" asked Rameses. 

Nefert bowed her pretty head, and two tears ran down her blushingcheeks. 

"How good a man must be, " cried the king, "on whom the Gods bestow suchhappiness! My lord Chamberlain, inform Mena that I require his servicesat dinner to-day--as before the battle at Kadesh. He flung away thereins in the fight when he saw his enemy, and we shall see if he cankeep from flinging down the beaker when, with his own eyes, he seeshis beloved wife sitting at the table. --You ladies will join me at thebanquet. "

Nefert sank on her knees before the king; but he turned from her tospeak to the nobles and officers who had come to meet him, and thenproceeded to the temple to assist at the slaughter of the victims, andto solemnly renew his vow in the presence of the priests and the people, to erect a magnificent temple in Thebes as a thank-offering for hispreservation from death. He was received with rapturous enthusiasm; hisroad led to the harbor, past the tents in which lay the wounded, who hadbeen brought home to Egypt by ship, and he greeted them graciously fromhis chariot. 

Ani again acted as his charioteer; they drove slowly through the longranks of invalids and convalescents, but suddenly Ani gave the reins aninvoluntary pull, the horses reared, and it was with difficulty that hesoothed them to a steady pace again. 

Rameses looked round in anxious surprise, for at the moment when thehorses had started, he too had felt an agitating thrill--he thought hehad caught sight of his preserver at Kadesh. 

Had the sight of a God struck terror into the horses? Was he the victimof a delusion? or was his preserver a man of flesh and blood, who hadcome home from the battle-field among the wounded!

The man who stood by his side, and held the reins, could have informedhim, for Ani had recognized Pentaur, and in his horror had given thereins a perilous jerk. 

CHAPTER XLI. 

The king did not return to the great pavilion till after sun-down; thebanqueting hall, illuminated with a thousand lamps, was now filled withthe gay crowd of guests who awaited the arrival of the king. All bowedbefore him, as he entered, more or less low, each according to his rank;he immediately seated himself on his throne, surrounded by his childrenin a wide semicircle, and his officers and retainers all passed beforehim; for each he had a kindly word or glance, winning respect from all, and filling every one with joy and hope. 

"The only really divine attribute of my royal condition, " said heto himself, "is that it is so easy to a king to make men happy. My predecessors chose the poisonous Uraeus as the emblem of theirauthority, for we can cause death as quickly and certainly as thevenomous snake; but the power of giving happiness dwells on our ownlips, and in our own eyes, and we need some instrument when we decreedeath. "

"Take the Uraeus crown from my head, " he continued aloud, as he seatedhimself at the feast. "Today I will wear a wreath of flowers. "

During the ceremony of bowing to the king, two men had quitted thehall--the Regent Ani, and the high-priest Ameni. 

Ani ordered a small party of the watch to go and seek out the priestPentaur in the tents of the wounded by the harbor, to bring the poetquietly to his tent, and to guard him there till his return. He stillhad in his possession the maddening potion, which he was to have givento the captain of the transport-boat, and it was open to him still toreceive Pentaur either as a guest or as a prisoner. Pentaur might injurehim, whether Katuti's project failed or succeeded. 

Ameni left the pavilion to go to see old Gagabu, who had stood so longin the heat of the sun during the ceremony of receiving the conqueror, that he had been at last carried fainting to the tent which he sharedwith the high-priest, and which was not far from that of the Regent. Hefound the old man much revived, and was preparing to mount his chariotto go to the banquet, when the Regent's myrmidons led Pentaur past infront of him. Ameni looked doubtfully at the tall and noble figure ofthe prisoner, but Pentaur recognized him, called him by his name, andin a moment they stood together, hand clasped in hand. The guards showedsome uneasiness, but Ameni explained who he was. 

The high-priest was sincerely rejoiced at the preservation andrestoration of his favorite disciple, whom for many months he hadmourned as dead; he looked at his manly figure with fatherly tenderness, and desired the guards, who bowed to his superior dignity, to conducthis friend, on his responsibility; to his tent instead of to Ani's. 

There Pentaur found his old friend Gagabu, who wept with delight at hissafety. All that his master had accused him of seemed to be forgotten. Ameni had him clothed in a fresh white robe, he was never tired oflooking at him, and over and over again clapped his hand upon hisshoulder, as if he were his own son that had been lost and found again. 

Pentaur was at once required to relate all that had happened to him, andthe poet told the story of his captivity and liberation at Mount Sinai, his meeting with Bent-Anat, and how he had fought in the battle ofKadesh, had been wounded by an arrow, and found and rescued by thefaithful Kaschta. He concealed only his passion for Bent-Anat, and thefact that he had preserved the king's life. 

"About an hour ago, " he added, "I was sitting alone in my tent, watchingthe lights in the palace yonder, when the watch who are outside broughtme an order from the Regent to accompany them to his tent. What can hewant with me? I always thought he owed me a grudge. "

Gagabu and Ameni glanced meaningly at each other, and the high-priestthen hastened away, as already he had remained too long away from thebanquet. Before he got into his chariot he commanded the guard to returnto their posts, and took it upon himself to inform the Regent that hisguest would remain in his tent till the festival was over; the soldiersunhesitatingly obeyed him. 

Ameni arrived at the palace before them, and entered the banqueting-halljust as Ani was assigning a place to each of his guests. The high-priestwent straight up to him, and said, as he bowed before him:

"Pardon my long delay, but I was detained by a great surprise. The poetPentaur is living--as you know. I have invited him to remain in my tentas my guest, and to tend the prophet Gagabu. "

The Regent turned pale, he remained speechless and looked at Ameni witha cold ghastly smile; but he soon recovered himself. 

"You see, " he said, "how you have injured me by your unworthysuspicions; I meant to have restored your favorite to you myselfto-morrow. "

"Forgive me, then, for having anticipated your plan, " said Ameni, takinghis seat near the king. Hundreds of slaves hurried to and fro loadedwith costly dishes. Large vessels of richly wrought gold and silver werebrought into the hall on wheels, and set on the side-boards. Childrenwere perched in the shells and lotus-flowers that hung from the paintedrafters; and from between the pillars, that were hung with cloudytransparent tissues, they threw roses and violets down on the company. The sounds of harps and songs issued from concealed rooms, and from analtar, six ells high, in the middle of the hall, clouds of incense werewafted into space. 

The king-one of whose titles was "Son of the Sun, "--was as radiant asthe sun himself. His children were once more around him, Mena was hiscupbearer as in former times, and all that was best and noblest in theland was gathered round him to rejoice with him in his triumph and hisreturn. Opposite to him sat the ladies, and exactly in front of him, a delight to his eyes, Bent-Anat and Nefert. His injunction to Mena tohold the wine cup steadily seemed by no means superfluous, for his looksconstantly wandered from the king's goblet to his fair wife, from whoselips he as yet had heard no word of welcome, whose hand he had not yetbeen so happy as to touch. 

All the guests were in the most joyful excitement. Rameses related thetale of his fight at Kadesh, and the high-priest of Heliopolis observed, "In later times the poets will sing of thy deeds. "

"Their songs will not be of my achievements, " exclaimed the king, "but of the grace of the Divinity, who so miraculously rescued yoursovereign, and gave the victory to the Egyptians over an innumerableenemy. "

"Did you see the God with your own eyes? and in what form did he appearto you?" asked Bent-Anat. "It is most extraordinary, " said the king, "but he exactly resembled the dead father of the traitor Paaker. Mypreserver was of tall stature, and had a beautiful countenance; hisvoice was deep and thrilling, and he swung his battle-axe as if it werea mere plaything. "

Ameni had listened eagerly to the king's words, now he bowed low beforehim and said humbly: "If I were younger I myself would endeavor, as wasthe custom with our fathers, to celebrate this glorious deed of a Godand of his sublime son in a song worthy of this festival; but meltingtones are no longer mine, they vanish with years, and the car of thelistener lends itself only to the young. Nothing is wanting to thyfeast, most lordly Ani, but a poet, who might sing the glorious deedsof our monarch to the sound of his lute, and yet--we have at hand thegifted Pentaur, the noblest disciple of the House of Seti. "

Bent-Anat turned perfectly white, and the priests who were presentexpressed the utmost joy and astonishment, for they had long thought theyoung poet, who was highly esteemed throughout Egypt, to be dead. 

The king had often heard of the fame of Pentaur from his sons andespecially from Rameri, and he willingly consented that Ameni shouldsend for the poet, who had himself borne arms at Kadesh, in order thathe should sing a song of triumph. The Regent gazed blankly and uneasilyinto his wine cup, and the high-priest rose to fetch Pentaur himselfinto the presence of the king. 

During the high-priest's absence, more and more dishes were served tothe company; behind each guest stood a silver bowl with rose water, inwhich from time to time he could dip his fingers to cool and clean them;the slaves in waiting were constantly at hand with embroidered napkinsto wipe them, and others frequently changed the faded wreaths, round theheads and shoulders of the feasters, for fresh ones. 

"How pale you are, my child!" said Rameses turning to Bent-Anat. "If youare tired, your uncle will no doubt allow you to leave the hall; thoughI think you should stay to hear the performance of this much-laudedpoet. After having been so highly praised he will find it difficult tosatisfy his hearers. But indeed I am uneasy about you, my child--wouldyou rather go?" The Regent had risen and said earnestly, "Your presencehas done me honor, but if you are fatigued I beg you to allow me toconduct you and your ladies to the apartments intended for you. "

"I will stay, " said Bent-Anat in a low but decided tone, and she kepther eyes on the floor, while her heart beat violently, for the murmurof voices told her that Pentaur was entering the hall. He wore the longwhite robe of a priest of the temple of Seti, and on his forehead theostrich-feather which marked him as one of the initiated. He did notraise his eyes till he stood close before the king; then he prostratedhimself before him, and awaited a sign from the Pharaoh before he roseagain. 

But Rameses hesitated a long time, for the youthful figure before him, and the glance that met his own, moved him strangely. Was not this thedivinity of the fight? Was not this his preserver? Was he again deludedby a resemblance, or was he in a dream?

The guests gazed in silence at the spellbound king, and at the poet; atlast Rameses bowed his head, Pentaur rose to his feet, and the bright color flew to his face as closeto him he perceived Bent-Anat. 

"You fought at Kadesh?" asked the king. "As thou sayest, " repliedPentaur. 

"You are well spoken of as a poet, " said Rameses, "and we desire to hearthe wonderful tale of my preservation celebrated in song. If you willattempt it, let a lute be brought and sing. "

The poet bowed. "My gifts are modest, " he said, "but I will endeavor tosing of the glorious deed, in the presence of the hero who achieved it, with the aid of the Gods. "

Rameses gave a signal, and Ameni caused a large golden harp to bebrought in for his disciple. Pentaur lightly touched the strings, leanedhis head against the top of the tall bow of the harp, for some time lestin meditation; then he drew himself up boldly, and struck the chords, bringing out a strong and warlike music in broad heroic rhythm. 

Then he began the narrative: how Rameses had pitched his camp beforeKadesh, how he ordered his troops, and how he had taken the fieldagainst the Cheta, and their Asiatic allies. Louder and stronger rosehis tones when he reached the turning-point of the battle, and began tocelebrate the rescue of the king; and the Pharaoh listened with eagerattention as Pentaur sang:--[A literal translation of the ancientEgyptian poem called "The Epos of Pentaur"]

 "Then the king stood forth, and, radiant with courage, He looked like the Sun-god armed and eager for battle. The noble steeds that bore him into the struggle 'Victory to Thebes' was the name of one, and the other Was called 'contented Nura'--were foaled in the stables Of him we call 'the elect, ' 'the beloved of Amon, ' 'Lord of truth, ' the chosen vicar of Ra. 

 Up sprang the king and threw himself on the foe, The swaying ranks of the contemptible Cheta. He stood alone-alone, and no man with him. As thus the king stood forth all eyes were upon him, And soon he was enmeshed by men and horses, And by the enemy's chariots: two thousand five hundred. The foe behind hemmed him in and enclosed him. Dense the array of the contemptible Cheta, Dense the swarm of warriors out of Arad, Dense the Mysian host, the Pisidian legions. Every chariot carried three bold warriors, All his foes, and all allied like brothers. 

 "Not a prince is with me, not a captain, Not an archer, none to guide my horses! Fled the riders! fled my troops and horse By my side not one is now left standing. " Thus the king, and raised his voice in prayer. "Great father Amon, I have known Thee well. And can the father thus forget his son? Have I in any deed forgotten Thee? Have I done aught without Thy high behest Or moved or staid against Thy sovereign will? Great am I--mighty are Egyptian kings But in the sight of Thy commanding might, Small as the chieftain of a wandering tribe. Immortal Lord, crush Thou this unclean people; Break Thou their necks, annihilate the heathen. 

 And I--have I not brought Thee many victims, And filled Thy temple with the captive folk? And for thy presence built a dwelling place That shall endure for countless years to come? Thy garners overflow with gifts from me. I offered Thee the world to swell Thy glory, And thirty thousand mighty steers have shed Their smoking blood on fragrant cedar piles. Tall gateways, flag-decked masts, I raised to Thee, And obelisks from Abu I have brought, And built Thee temples of eternal stone. For Thee my ships have brought across the sea The tribute of the nations. This I did-- When were such things done in the former time?

 For dark the fate of him who would rebel Against Thee: though Thy sway is just and mild. My father, Amon--as an earthly son His earthly father--so I call on Thee. Look down from heaven on me, beset by foes, By heathen foes--the folk that know Thee not. The nations have combined against Thy son; I stand alone--alone, and no man with me. My foot and horse are fled, I called aloud And no one heard--in vain I called to them. And yet I say: the sheltering care of Amon Is better succor than a million men, Or than ten thousand knights, or than a thousand Brothers and sons though gathered into one. And yet I say: the bulwarks raised by men However strong, compared to Thy great works Are but vain shadows, and no human aid Avails against the foe--but Thy strong hand. The counsel of Thy lips shall guide my way; I have obeyed whenever Thou hast ruled; I call on Thee--and, with my fame, Thy glory Shall fill the world, from farthest east to west. "

 Yea, his cry rang forth even far as Hermonthis, And Amon himself appeared at his call; and gave him His hand and shouted in triumph, saying to the Pharaoh: "Help is at hand, O Rameses. I will uphold thee-- I thy father am he who now is thy succor, Bearing thee in my hands. For stronger and readier I than a hundred thousand mortal retainers; I am the Lord of victory loving valor? I rejoice in the brave and give them good counsel, And he whom I counsel certainly shall not miscarry. "

 Then like Menth, with his right he scattered the arrows, And with his left he swung his deadly weapon, Felling the foe--as his foes are felled by Baal. The chariots were broken and the drivers scattered, Then was the foe overthrown before his horses. None found a hand to fight: they could not shoot Nor dared they hurl the spear but fled at his coming Headlong into the river. "

 [I have availed myself of the help of Prof. Lushington's translation in "Records of the past, " edited by Dr. S. Birch. Translator. ]

A silence as of the grave reigned in the vast hall, Rameses fixed hiseyes on the poet, as though he would engrave his features on his verysoul, and compare them with those of another which had dwelt thereunforgotten since the day of Kadesh. Beyond a doubt his preserver stoodbefore him. 

Seized by a sudden impulse, he interrupted the poet in the midst of hisstirring song, and cried out to the assembled guests:

"Pay honor to this man! for the Divinity chose to appear under his formto save your king when he 'alone, and no man with him, ' struggled with athousand. "

"Hail to Pentaur!" rang through the hall from the vast assembly, andNefert rose and gave the poet the bunch of flowers she had been wearingon her bosom. 

The king nodded approval, and looked enquiringly at his daughter;Bent-Anat's eyes met his with a glance of intelligence, and with all thesimplicity of an impulsive child, she took from her head the wreath thathad decorated her beautiful hair, went up to Pentaur, and crowned himwith it, as it was customary for a bride to crown her lover before thewedding. 

Rameses observed his daughter's action with some surprise, and theguests responded to it with loud cheering. 

The king looked gravely at Bent-Anat and the young priest; the eyes ofall the company were eagerly fixed on the princess and the poet. Theking seemed to have forgotten the presence of strangers, and to bewholly absorbed in thought, but by degrees a change came over his face, it cleared, as a landscape is cleared from the morning mists under theinfluence of the spring sunshine. When he looked up again his glancewas bright and satisfied, and Bent-Anat knew what it promised when itlingered lovingly first on her, and then on her friend, whose head wasstill graced by the wreath that had crowned hers. 

At last Rameses turned from the lovers, and said to the guests:

"It is past midnight, and I will now leave you. To-morrow evening I bidyou all--and you especially, Pentaur--to be my guests in this banquetinghall. Once more fill your cups, and let us empty them--to a long time ofpeace after the victory which, by the help of the Gods, we have won. And at the same time let us express our thanks to my friend Ani, who hasentertained us so magnificently, and who has so faithfully and zealouslyadministered the affairs of the kingdom during my absence. "

The company pledged the king, who warmly shook hands with the Regent, and then, escorted by his wandbearers and lords in waiting, quitted thehall, after he had signed to Mena, Ameni, and the ladies to follow him. 

Nefert greeted her husband, but she immediately parted from the royalparty, as she had yielded to the urgent entreaty of Katuti that sheshould for this night go to her mother, to whom she had so much to tell, instead of remaining with the princess. Her mother's chariot soon tookher to her tent. 

Rameses dismissed his attendants in the ante-room of his apartments;when they were alone he turned to Bent-Anat and said affectionately. 

"What was in your mind when you laid your wreath on the poet's brow?"

"What is in every maiden's mind when she does the like, " repliedBent-Anat with trustful frankness. 

"And your father?" asked the king. 

"My father knows that I will obey him even if he demands of me thehardest thing--the sacrifice of all my--happiness; but I believe thathe--that you love me fondly, and I do not forget the hour in which yousaid to me that now my mother was dead you would be father and motherboth to me, and you would try to understand me as she certainly wouldhave understood me. But what need between us of so many words. I lovePentaur--with a love that is not of yesterday--with the first perfectlove of my heart and he has proved himself worthy of that high honor. But were he ever so humble, the hand of your daughter has the power toraise him above every prince in the land. "

"It has such power, and you shall exercise it, " cried the king. "Youhave been true and faithful to yourself, while your father and protectorleft you to yourself. In you I love the image of your mother, and Ilearned from her that a true woman's heart can find the right pathbetter than a man's wisdom. Now go to rest, and to-morrow morning put ona fresh wreath, for you will have need of it, my noble daughter. "

CHAPTER XLII

The cloudless vault of heaven spread over the plain of Pelusium, thestars were bright, the moon threw her calm light over the thousands oftents which shone as white as little hillocks of snow. All was silent, the soldiers and the Egyptians, who had assembled to welcome the king, were now all gone to rest. 

There had been great rejoicing and jollity in the camp; three enormousvats, garlanded with flowers and overflowing with wine, which spilt withevery movement of the trucks on which they were drawn by thirty oxen, were sent up and down the little streets of tents, and as the eveningclosed in tavern-booths were erected in many spots in the camp, at whichthe Regent's servants supplied the soldiers with red and white wine. Thetents of the populace were only divided from the pavilion of the Pharaohby the hastily-constructed garden in the midst of which it stood, andthe hedge which enclosed it. 

The tent of the Regent himself was distinguished from all the others byits size and magnificence; to the right of it was the encampment of thedifferent priestly deputations, to the left that of his suite; among thelatter were the tents of his friend Katuti, a large one for her own use, and some smaller ones for her servants. Behind Ani's pavilion stood atent, enclosed in a wall or screen of canvas, within which old Hekt waslodged; Ani had secretly conveyed her hither on board his own boat. OnlyKatuti and his confidential servants knew who it was that lay concealedin the mysteriously shrouded abode. 

While the banquet was proceeding in the great pavilion, the witch wassitting in a heap on the sandy earth of her conical canvas dwelling; shebreathed with difficulty, for a weakness of the heart, against which shehad long struggled, now oppressed her more frequently and severely; alittle lamp of clay burned before her, and on her lap crouched a sickand ruffled hawk; the creature shivered from time to time, closing thefilmy lids of his keen eyes, which glowed with a dull fire when Hekttook him up in her withered hand, and tried to blow some air into hishooked beak, still ever ready to peck and tear her. 

At her feet little Scherau lay asleep. Presently she pushed the childwith her foot. "Wake up, " she said, as he raised himself still halfasleep. "You have young ears--it seemed to me that I heard a womanscream in Ani's tent. Do you hear any thing?"

"Yes, indeed, " exclaimed the little one. "There is a noise like crying, and that--that was a scream! It came from out there, from Nemu's tent. "

"Creep through there, " said the witch, "and see what is happening!"

The child obeyed: Hekt turned her attention again to the bird, which nolonger perched in her lap, but lay on one side, though it still tried touse its talons, when she took him up in her hand. 

"It is all over with him, " muttered the old woman, "and the one I calledRameses is sleeker than ever. It is all folly and yet--and yet! theRegent's game is over, and he has lost it. The creature is stretchingitself--its head drops--it draws itself up--one more clutch at mydress--now it is dead!"

She contemplated the dead hawk in her lap for some minutes, then shetook it up, flung it into a corner of the tent, and exclaimed:

"Good-bye, King Ani. The crown is not for you!" Then she went on: "Whatproject has he in hand now, I wonder? Twenty times he has asked mewhether the great enterprise will succeed; as if I knew any more thanhe! And Nemu too has hinted all kinds of things, though he would notspeak out. Something is going on, and I--and I? There it comes again. "

The old woman pressed her hand to her heart and closed her eyes, herfeatures were distorted with pain; she did not perceive Scherau'sreturn, she did not hear him call her name, or see that, when she didnot answer him, he left her again. For an hour or more she remainedunconscious, then her senses returned, but she felt as if some ice-coldfluid slowly ran through her veins instead of the warm blood. 

"If I had kept a hawk for myself too, " she muttered, "it would soonfollow the other one in the corner! If only Ani keeps his word, and hasme embalmed!

"But how can he when he too is so near his end. They will let me rot anddisappear, and there will be no future for me, no meeting with Assa. "

The old woman remained silent for a long time; at last she murmuredhoarsely with her eyes fixed on the ground:

"Death brings release, if only from the torment of remembrance. Butthere is a life beyond the grave. I do not, I will not cease to hope. The dead shall all be equally judged, and subject to the inscrutabledecrees. --Where shall I find him? Among the blest, or among the damned?And I? It matters not! The deeper the abyss into which they fling methe better. Can Assa, if he is among the blest, remain in bliss, when hesees to what he has brought me? Oh! they must embalm me--I cannot bearto vanish, and rot and evaporate into nothingness!"

While she was still speaking, the dwarf Nemu had come into the tent;Scherau, seeing the old woman senseless, had run to tell him that hismother was lying on the earth with her eyes shut, and was dying. Thewitch perceived the little man. 

"It is well, " she said, "that you have come; I shall be dead beforesunrise. "

"Mother!" cried the dwarf horrified, "you shall live, and live betterthan you have done till now! Great things are happening, and for us!"

"I know, I know, " said Hekt. "Go away, Scherau--now, Nemu, whisper inmy ear what is doing?" The dwarf felt as if he could not avoid theinfluence of her eye, he went up to her, and said softly--"The pavilion, in which the king and his people are sleeping, is constructed of wood;straw and pitch are built into the walls, and laid under the boards. Assoon as they are gone to rest we shall set the tinder thing on fire. Theguards are drunk and sleeping. "

"Well thought of, " said Hekt. "Did you plan it?" "I and my mistress, "said the dwarf not without pride. "You can devise a plot, " said the oldwoman, "but you are feeble in the working out. Is your plan a secret?Have you clever assistants?"

"No one knows of it, " replied the dwarf, "but Katuti, Paaker, and I; wethree shall lay the brands to the spots we have fixed upon. I am goingto the rooms of Bent-Anat; Katuti, who can go in and out as she pleases, will set fire to the stairs, which lead to the upper story, and whichfall by touching a spring; and Paaker to the king's apartments. "

"Good-good, it may succeed, " gasped the old woman. "But what was thescream in your tent?" The dwarf seemed doubtful about answering; butHekt went on:

"Speak without fear--the dead are sure to be silent. " The dwarf, trembling with agitation, shook off his hesitation, and said:

"I have found Uarda, the grandchild of Pinem, who had disappeared, and Idecoyed her here, for she and no other shall be my wife, if Ani isking, and if Katuti makes me rich and free. She is in the service ofthe Princess Bent-Anat, and sleeps in her anteroom, and she must not beburnt with her mistress. She insisted on going back to the palace, so, as she would fly to the fire like a gnat, and I would not have her riskbeing burnt, I tied her up fast. "

"Did she not struggle?" said Hekt. 

"Like a mad thing, " said the dwarf. "But the Regent's dumb slave, whowas ordered by his master to obey me in everything to-day, helped me. Wetied up her mouth that she might not be heard screaming!"

"Will you leave her alone when you go to do your errand?"

"Her father is with her!"

"Kaschta, the red-beard?" asked the old woman in surprise. "And did henot break you in pieces like an earthenware pot?"

"He will not stir, " said Nemu laughing. "For when I found him, I madehim so drunk with Ani's old wine that he lies there like a mummy. It wasfrom him that I learned where Uarda was, and I went to her, and got herto come with me by telling her that her father was very ill, and beggedher to go to see him once more. She flew after me like a gazelle, andwhen she saw the soldier lying there senseless she threw herself uponhim, and called for water to cool his head, for he was raving in hisdreams of rats and mice that had fallen upon him. As it grew late shewanted to return to her mistress, and we were obliged to prevent her. How handsome she has grown, mother; you cannot imagine how pretty sheis. "

"Aye, aye!" said Hekt. "You will have to keep an eye upon her when sheis your wife. "

"I will treat her like the wife of a noble, " said Nemu. "And pay areal lady to guard her. But by this time Katuti has brought home herdaughter, Mena's wife; the stars are sinking and--there--that was thefirst signal. When Katuti whistles the third time we are to go to work. Lend me your fire-box, mother. "

"Take it, " said Hekt. "I shall never need it again. It is all over withme! How your hand shakes! Hold the wood firmly, or you will drop itbefore you have brought the fire. "

The dwarf bid the old woman farewell, and she let him kiss her withoutmoving. When he was gone, she listened eagerly for any sound that mightpierce the silence of the night, her eyes shone with a keen light, anda thousand thoughts flew through her restless brain. When she heard thesecond signal on Katuti's silver whistle, she sat upright and muttered:

"That gallows-bird Paaker, his vain aunt and that villain Ani, are nomatch for Rameses, even when he is asleep. Ani's hawk is dead; he hasnothing to hope for from Fortune, and I nothing to hope for from him. But if Rameses--if the real king would promise me--then my poor oldbody--Yes, that is the thing, that is what I will do. "

She painfully raised herself on her feet with the help of her stick, shefound a knife and a small flask which she slipped into her dress, andthen, bent and trembling, with a last effort of her remaining strengthshe dragged herself as far as Nemu's tent. Here she found Uarda boundhand and foot, and Kaschta lying on the ground in a heavy drunkenslumber. 

The girl shrank together in alarm when she saw the old woman, andScherau, who crouched at her side, raised his hands imploringly to thewitch. 

"Take this knife, boy, " she said to the little one. "Cut the ropes thepoor thing is tied with. The papyrus cords are strong, saw them with theblade. "

 [Papyrus was used not only for writing on, but also for ropes. The bridge of boats on which Xerxes crossed the Hellespont was fastened with cables of papyrus. ]

While the boy eagerly followed her instructions with all his littlemight, she rubbed the soldier's temples with an essence which she had inthe bottle, and poured a few drops of it between his lips. Kaschta cameto himself, stretched his limbs, and stared in astonishment at the placein which he found himself. She gave him some water, and desired him todrink it, saying, as Uarda shook herself free from the bonds:

"The Gods have predestined you to great things, you white maiden. Listento what I, old Hekt, am telling you. The king's life is threatened, his and his children's; I purpose to save them, and I ask no reward butthis-that he should have my body embalmed and interred at Thebes. Swearto me that you will require this of him when you have saved him. "

"In God's name what is happening?" cried Uarda. "Swear that you willprovide for my burial, " said the old woman. 

"I swear it!" cried the girl. "But for God's sake--"

"Katuti, Paaker, and Nemu are gone to set fire to the palace whenRameses is sleeping, in three places. Do you hear, Kaschta! Now hasten, fly after the incendiaries, rouse the servants, and try to rescue theking. "

"Oh fly, father, " cried the girl, and they both rushed away in thedarkness. 

"She is honest and will keep her word, " muttered Hekt, and she tried todrag herself back to her own tent; but her strength failed her half-way. Little Scherau tried to support her, but he was too weak; she sank downon the sand, and looked out into the distance. There she saw the darkmass of the palace, from which rose a light that grew broader andbroader, then clouds of black smoke, then up flew the soaring flame, anda swarm of glowing sparks. 

"Run into the camp, child, " she cried, "cry fire, and wake thesleepers. "

Scherau ran off shouting as loud as he could. 

The old woman pressed her hand to her side, she muttered: "There it isagain. "

"In the other world--Assa--Assa, " and her trembling lips were silent forever. 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

Katuti had kept her unfortunate nephew Paaker concealed in one of herservants' tents. He had escaped wounded from the battle at Kadesh, andin terrible pain he had succeeded, by the help of an ass which he hadpurchased from a peasant, in reaching by paths known to hardly any onebut himself, the cave where he had previously left his brother. Here hefound his faithful Ethiopian slave, who nursed him till he was strongenough to set out on his journey to Egypt. He reached Pelusium, aftermany privations, disguised as an Ismaelite camel-driver; he left hisservant, who might have betrayed him, behind in the cave. 

Before he was permitted to pass the fortifications, which lay across theisthmus which parts the Mediterranean from the Red Sea, and which wereintended to protect Egypt from the incursions of the nomad tribes ofthe Chasu, he was subjected to a strict interrogatory, and among otherquestions was asked whether he had nowhere met with the traitor Paaker, who was minutely described to him. No one recognized in the shrunken, grey-haired, one-eyed camel-driver, the broad-shouldered, muscularand thick-legged pioneer. To disguise himself the more effectually, he procured some hair-dye--a cosmetic known in all ages--and blackenedhimself. 

 [In my papyrus there are several recipes for the preparation of hair-dye; one is ascribed to the Lady Schesch, the mother of Teta, wife of the first king of Egypt. The earliest of all the recipes preserved to us is a prescription for dyeing the hair. ]

Katuti had arrived at Pelusium with Ani some time before, to superintendthe construction of the royal pavilion. He ventured to approach herdisguised as a negro beggar, with a palm-branch in his hand. She gavehim some money and questioned him concerning his native country, for shemade it her business to secure the favor even of the meanest; but thoughshe appeared to take an interest in his answers, she did not recognizehim; now for the first time he felt secure, and the next day he went upto her again, and told her who he was. 

The widow was not unmoved by the frightful alteration in her nephew, andalthough she knew that even Ani had decreed that any intercourse withthe traitor was to be punished by death, she took him at once intoher service, for she had never had greater need than now to employ thedesperate enemy of the king and of her son-in-law. 

The mutilated, despised, and hunted man kept himself far from the otherservants, regarding the meaner folk with undiminished scorn. He thoughtseldom, and only vaguely of Katuti's daughter, for love had quite givenplace to hatred, and only one thing now seemed to him worth livingfor--the hope of working with others to cause his enemies' downfall, and of being the instrument of their death; so he offered himself to thewidow a willing and welcome tool, and the dull flash in his uninjuredeye when she set him the task of setting fire to the king's apartments, showed her that in the Mohar she had found an ally she might depend onto the uttermost. 

Paaker had carefully examined the scene of his exploit before the king'sarrival. Under the windows of the king's rooms, at least forty feet fromthe ground, was a narrow parapet resting on the ends of the beams whichsupported the rafters on which lay the floor of the upper story in whichthe king slept. These rafters had been smeared with pitch, and straw hadbeen laid between them, and the pioneer would have known how to find theopening where he was to put in the brand even if he had been blind ofboth eyes. 

When Katuti first sounded her whistle he slunk to his post; he waschallenged by no watchman, for the few guards who had been placed inthe immediate vicinity of the pavilion, had all gone to sleep under theinfluence of the Regent's wine. Paaker climbed up to about the heightof two men from the ground by the help of the ornamental carving onthe outside wall of the palace; there a rope ladder was attached, heclambered up this, and soon stood on the parapet, above which were thewindows of the king's rooms, and below which the fire was to be laid. 

Rameses' room was brightly illuminated. Paaker could see into it withoutbeing seen, and could bear every word that was spoken within. The kingwas sitting in an arm-chair, and looked thoughtfully at the ground;before him stood the Regent, and Mena stood by his couch, holding in hishand the king's sleeping-robe. 

Presently Rameses raised his head, and said, as he offered his hand withfrank affection to Ani:

"Let me bring this glorious day to a worthy end, cousin. I have foundyou my true and faithful friend, and I had been in danger of believingthose over-anxious counsellors who spoke evil of you. I am never proneto distrust, but a number of things occurred together that clouded myjudgment, and I did you injustice. I am sorry, sincerely sorry; nor am Iashamed to apologize to you for having for an instant doubted your goodintentions. You are my good friend--and I will prove to you that I amyours. There is my hand-take it; and all Egypt shall know that Ramesestrusts no man more implicitly than his Regent Ani. I will ask you toundertake to be my guard of honor to-night--we will share this room. I sleep here; when I lie down on my couch take your place on the divanyonder. " Ani had taken Rameses' offered hand, but now he turned pale ashe looked down. Paaker could see straight into his face, and it was notwithout difficulty that he suppressed a scornful laugh. 

Rameses did not observe the Regent's dismay, for he had signed to Menato come closer to him. 

"Before I sleep, " said the king, "I will bring matters to an end withyou too. You have put your wife's constancy to a severe test, and shehas trusted you with a childlike simplicity that is often wiser thanthe arguments of sages, because she loved you honestly, and is herselfincapable of guile. I promised you that I would grant you a wish if yourfaith in her was justified. Now tell me what is your will?"

Mena fell on his knees, and covered the king's robe with kisses. 

"Pardon!" he exclaimed. "Nothing but pardon. My crime was a heavy one, I know; but I was driven to it by scorn and fury--it was as if I saw thedishonoring hand of Paaker stretched out to seize my innocent wife, who, as I now know, loathes him as a toad--"

"What was that?" exclaimed the king. "I thought I heard a groanoutside. "

He went up to the window and looked out, but he did not see the pioneer, who watched every motion of the king, and who, as soon as he perceivedthat his involuntary sigh of anguish had been heard, stretched himselfclose under the balustrade. Mena had not risen from his knees when theking once more turned to him. 

"Pardon me, " he said again. "Let me be near thee again as before, and drive thy chariot. I live only through thee, I am of no worth butthrough thee, and by thy favor, my king, my lord, my father!"

Rameses signed to his favorite to rise. "Your request was granted, " saidhe, "before you made it. I am still in your debt on your fair wife'saccount. Thank Nefert--not me, and let us give thanks to the Immortalsthis day with especial fervor. What has it not brought forth for us! Ithas restored to me you two friends, whom I regarded as lost to me, andhas given me in Pentaur another son. "

A low whistle sounded through the night air; it was Katuti's lastsignal. 

Paaker blew up the tinder, laid it in the bole under the parapet, andthen, unmindful of his own danger, raised himself to listen for anyfurther words. 

"I entreat thee, " said the Regent, approaching Rameses, "to excuse me. I fully appreciate thy favors, but the labors of the last few days havebeen too much for me; I can hardly stand on my feet, and the guard ofhonor--"

"Mena will watch, " said the king. "Sleep in all security, cousin. I willhave it known to all men that I have put away from me all distrust ofyou. Give the my night-robe, Mena. Nay-one thing more I must tell you. Youth smiles on the young, Ani. Bent-Anat has chosen a worthy husband, my preserver, the poet Pentaur. He was said to be a man of humbleorigin, the son of a gardener of the House of Seti; and now what do Ilearn through Ameni? He is the true son of the dead Mohar, and the foultraitor Paaker is the gardener's son. A witch in the Necropolis changedthe children. That is the best news of all that has reached me on thispropitious day, for the Mohar's widow, the noble Setchem, has beenbrought here, and I should have been obliged to choose between twosentences on her as the mother of the villain who has escaped us. EitherI must have sent her to the quarries, or have had her beheaded beforeall the people--In the name of the Gods, what is that?"

They heard a loud cry in a man's voice, and at the same instant a noiseas if some heavy mass had fallen to the ground from a great height. Rameses and Mena hastened to the window, but started back, for they weremet by a cloud of smoke. 

"Call the watch!" cried the king. 

"Go, you, " exclaimed Mena to Ani. "I will not leave the king again indanger. "

Ani fled away like an escaped prisoner, but he could not get far, for, before he could descend the stairs to the lower story, they fell inbefore his very eyes; Katuti, after she had set fire to the interior ofthe palace, had made them fall by one blow of a hammer. Ani saw her robeas she herself fled, clenched his fist with rage as he shouted her name, and then, not knowing what he did, rushed headlong through the corridorinto which the different royal apartments opened. 

The fearful crash of the falling stairs brought the King and Mena alsoout of the sleeping-room. 

"There lie the stairs! that is serious!" said the king cooly; then hewent back into his room, and looked out of a window to estimate thedanger. Bright flames were already bursting from the northern end of thepalace, and gave the grey dawn the brightness of day; the southern wingor the pavilion was not yet on fire. Mena observed the parapet fromwhich Paaker had fallen to the ground, tested its strength, and foundit firm enough to bear several persons. He looked round, particularly atthe wing not yet gained by the flames, and exclaimed in a loud voice:

"The fire is intentional! it is done on purpose. See there! a man issquatting down and pushing a brand into the woodwork. "

He leaped back into the room, which was now filling with smoke, snatchedthe king's bow and quiver, which he himself had hung up at the bed-head, took careful aim, and with one cry the incendiary fell dead. 

A few hours later the dwarf Nemu was found with the charioteer's arrowthrough his heart. After setting fire to Bent-Anat's rooms, he haddetermined to lay a brand to the wing of the palace where, with theother princes, Uarda's friend Rameri was sleeping. 

Mena had again leaped out of window, and was estimating the height ofthe leap to the ground; the Pharaoh's room was getting more and morefilled with smoke, and flames began to break through the seams of theboards. Outside the palace as well as within every one was waking up toterror and excitement. 

"Fire! fire! an incendiary! Help! Save the king!" cried Kaschta, whorushed on, followed by a crowd of guards whom he had roused; Uarda hadflown to call Bent-Anat, as she knew the way to her room. The king hadgot on to the parapet outside the window with Mena, and was calling tothe soldiers. 

"Half of you get into the house, and first save the princess; the otherhalf keep the fire from catching the south wing. I will try to getthere. "

But Nemu's brand had been effectual, the flames flared up, and thesoldiers strained every nerve to conquer them. Their cries mingled withthe crackling and snapping of the dry wood, and the roar of the flames, with the trumpet calls of the awakening troops, and the beating ofdrums. The young princes appeared at a window; they had tied theirclothes together to form a rope, and one by one escaped down it. 

Rameses called to them with words of encouragement, but he himself wasunable to take any means of escape, for though the parapet on which hestood was tolerably wide, and ran round the whole of the building, atabout every six feet it was broken by spaces of about ten paces. Thefire was spreading and growing, and glowing sparks flew round him andhis companion like chaff from the winnowing fan. 

"Bring some straw and make a heap below!" shouted Rameses, above theroar of the conflagration. "There is no escape but by a leap down. "

The flames rushed out of the windows of the king's room; it wasimpossible to return to it, but neither the king nor Mena lost hisself-possession. When Mena saw the twelve princes descending to theground, he shouted through his hands, using them as a speaking trumpet, and called to Rameri, who was about to slip down the rope they hadcontrived, the last of them all. 

"Pull up the rope, and keep it from injury till I come. "

Rameri obeyed the order, and before Rameses could interfere, Mena hadsprung across the space which divided one piece of the balustrade fromanother. The king's blood ran cold as Mena, a second time, ventured thefrightful leap; one false step, and he must meet with the same fearfuldeath as his enemy Paaker. 

While the bystanders watched him in breathless silence--while thecrackling of the wood, the roar of the flames, and the dull thump offalling timber mingled with the distant chant of a procession of priestswho were now approaching the burning pile, Nefert roused by littleScherau knelt on the bare ground in fervent and passionate prayer to thesaving Gods. She watched every movement of her husband, and she bit herlips till they bled not to cry out. She felt that he was acting bravelyand nobly, and that he was lost if even for an instant his attentionwere distracted from his perilous footing. Now he had reached Rameri, and bound one end of the rope made out of cloaks and handkerchiefs, round his body; then he gave the other end to Rameri, who held fast tothe window-sill, and prepared once more to spring. Nefert saw him readyto leap, she pressed her hands upon her lips to repress a scream, sheshut her eyes, and when she opened them again he had accomplished thefirst leap, and at the second the Gods preserved him from falling; atthe third the king held out his hand to him, and saved him from a fall. Then Rameses helped him to unfasten the rope from round his waist tofasten it to the end of a beam. 

Rameri now loosened the other end, and followed Mena's example; he too, practised in athletic exercises in the school of the House of Seti, succeeded in accomplishing the three tremendous leaps, and soon the kingstood in safety on the ground. Rameri followed him, and then Mena, whosefaithful wife went to meet him, and wiped the sweat from his throbbingtemples. 

Rameses hurried to the north wing, where Bent-Anat had her apartments;he found her safe indeed, but wringing her hands, for her young favoriteUarda had disappeared in the flames after she had roused her and savedher with her father's assistance. Kaschta ran up and down in front ofthe burning pavilion, tearing his hair; now calling his child in tonesof anguish, now holding his breath to listen for an answer. To rush atrandom into the immense-burning building would have been madness. Theking observed the unhappy man, and set him to lead the soldiers, whom hehad commanded to hew down the wall of Bent-Anat's rooms, so as to rescuethe girl who might be within. Kaschta seized an axe, and raised it tostrike. 

But he thought that he heard blows from within against one of theshutters of the ground-floor, which by Katuti's orders had been securelyclosed; he followed the sound--he was not mistaken, the knocking couldbe distinctly heard. 

With all his might he struck the edge of the axe between the shutter andthe wall, and a stream of smoke poured out of the new outlet, and beforehim, enveloped in its black clouds, stood a staggering man who heldUarda in his arms. Kaschta sprang forward into the midst of the smokeand sparks, and snatched his daughter from the arms of her preserver, who fell half smothered on his knees. He rushed out into the air withhis light and precious burden, and as he pressed his lips to her closedeyelids his eyes were wet, and there rose up before him the image ofthe woman who bore her, the wife that had stood as the solitarygreen palm-tree in the desert waste of his life. But only for a fewseconds-Bent-Anat herself took Uarda into her care, and he hastened backto the burning house. 

He had recognized his daughter's preserver; it was the physicianNebsecht, who had not quitted the princess since their meeting on Sinai, and had found a place among her suite as her personal physician. 

The fresh air had rushed into the room through the opening of theshutter, the broad flames streamed out of the window, but still Nebsechtwas alive, for his groans could be heard through the smoke. Once moreKaschta rushed towards the window, the bystanders could see that theceiling of the room was about to fail, and called out to warn him, buthe was already astride the sill. 

"I signed myself his slave with my blood, " he cried, "Twice he hassaved my child, and now I will pay my debt, " and he disappeared into theburning room. 

He soon reappeared with Nebsecht in his arms, whose robe was alreadyscorched by the flames. He could be seen approaching the window with hisheavy burden; a hundred soldiers, and with them Pentaur, pressedforward to help him, and took the senseless leech out of the arms of thesoldier, who lifted him over the window sill. 

Kaschta was on the point of following him, but before he could swinghimself over, the beams above gave way and fell, burying the brave sonof the paraschites. 

Pentaur had his insensible friend carried to his tent, and helped thephysicians to bind up his burns. When the cry of fire had beenfirst raised, Pentaur was sitting in earnest conversation with thehigh-priest; he had learned that he was not the son of a gardener, buta descendant of one of the noblest families in the land. The foundationsof life seemed to be subverted under his feet, Ameni's revelation liftedhim out of the dust and set him on the marble floor of a palace; and yetPentaur was neither excessively surprised nor inordinately rejoiced;he was so well used to find his joys and sufferings depend on the manwithin him, and not on the circumstances without. 

As soon as he heard the cry of fire, he hastened to the burningpavilion, and when he saw the king's danger, he set himself at the headof a number of soldiers who had hurried up from the camp, intending toventure an attempt to save Rameses from the inside of the house. Amongthose who followed him in this hopeless effort was Katuti's recklessson, who had distinguished himself by his valor before Kadesh, and whohailed this opportunity of again proving his courage. Falling wallschoked up the way in front of these brave adventurers; but it was nottill several had fallen choked or struck down by burning logs, thatthey made up their minds to retire--one of the first that was killed wasKatuti's son, Nefert's brother. 

Uarda had been carried into the nearest tent. Her pretty head lay inBent-Anat's lap, and Nefert tried to restore her to animation by rubbingher temples with strong essences. Presently the girl's lips moved: withreturning consciousness all she had seen and suffered during the lasthour or two recurred to her mind; she felt herself rushing through thecamp with her father, hurrying through the corridor to the princess'srooms, while he broke in the doors closed by Katuti's orders; she sawBent-Anat as she roused her, and conducted her to safety; she rememberedher horror when, just as she reached the door, she discovered that shehad left in her chest her jewel, the only relic of her lost mother, andher rapid return which was observed by no one but by the leech Nebsecht. 

Again she seemed to live through the anguish she had felt till she oncemore had the trinket safe in her bosom, the horror that fell upon herwhen she found her escape impeded by smoke and flames, and the weaknesswhich overcame her; and she felt as if the strange white-robed priestonce more raised her in his arms. She remembered the tenderness of hiseyes as he looked into hers, and she smiled half gratefully but halfdispleased at the tender kiss which had been pressed on her lips beforeshe found herself in her father's strong arms. 

"How sweet she is!" said Bent-Anat. "I believe poor Nebsecht is rightin saying that her mother was the daughter of some great man among theforeign people. Look what pretty little hands and feet, and her skin isas clear as Phoenician glass. "

CHAPTER XLIV. 

While the friends were occupied in restoring Uarda to animation, and intaking affectionate care of her, Katuti was walking restlessly backwardsand forwards in her tent. 

Soon after she had slipped out for the purpose of setting fire tothe palace, Scherau's cry had waked up Nefert, and Katuti found herdaughter's bed empty when, with blackened hands and limbs trembling withagitation, she came back from her criminal task. 

Now she waited in vain for Nemu and Paaker. 

Her steward, whom she sent on repeated messages of enquiry whether theRegent had returned, constantly brought back a negative answer, andadded the information that he had found the body of old Hekt lying onthe open ground. The widow's heart sank with fear; she was full of darkforebodings while she listened to the shouts of the people engagedin putting out the fire, the roll of drums, and the trumpets of thesoldiers calling each other to the help of the king. 

To these sounds now was added the dull crash of falling timbers andwalls. 

A faint smile played upon her thin lips, and she thought to herself:"There--that perhaps fell on the king, and my precious son-in-law, whodoes not deserve such a fate--if we had not fallen into disgrace, andif since the occurrences before Kadesh he did not cling to his indulgentlord as a calf follows a cow. "

She gathered fresh courage, and fancied she could hear the voice ofEthiopian troops hailing the Regent as king--could see Ani decoratedwith the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, seated on Rameses' throne, andherself by his side in rich though unpretending splendor. She picturedherself with her son and daughter as enjoying Mena's estate, freed fromdebt and increased by Ani's generosity, and then a new, intoxicatinghope came into her mind. Perhaps already at this moment her daughterwas a widow, and why should she not be so fortunate as to induce Ani toselect her child, the prettiest woman in Thebes, for his wife? Thenshe, the mother of the queen, would be indeed unimpeachable, andall-powerful. She had long since come to regard the pioneer as a toolto be cast aside, nay soon to be utterly destroyed; his wealthmight probably at some future time be bestowed upon her son, who haddistinguished himself at Kadesh, and whom Ani must before long promoteto be his charioteer or the commander of the chariot warriors. 

Flattered by these fancies, she forgot every care as she walked fasterand faster to and fro in her tent. Suddenly the steward, whom she hadthis time sent to the very scene of the fire, rushed into the tent, andwith every token of terror broke to her the news that the king and hischarioteer were hanging in mid air on a narrow wooden parapet, and thatunless some miracle happened they must inevitably be killed. It wassaid that incendiaries had occasioned the fire, and he, the steward, hadhastened forward to prepare her for evil news as the mangled body of thepioneer, which had been identified by the ring on his finger, andthe poor little corpse of Nemu, pierced through by an arrow, had beencarried past him. 

Katuti was silent for a moment. 

"And the king's sons?" she asked with an anxious sigh. 

"The Gods be praised, " replied the steward, "they succeeded in lettingthemselves down to the ground by a rope made of their garments knottedtogether, and some were already safe when I came away. "

Katuti's face clouded darkly; once more she sent forth her messenger. The minutes of his absence seemed like days; her bosom heaved in stormyagitation, then for a moment she controlled herself, and again herheart seemed to cease beating--she closed her eyes as if her anguish ofanxiety was too much for her strength. At last, long after sunrise, thesteward reappeared. 

Pale, trembling, hardly able to control his voice, he threw himself onthe ground at her feet crying out:

"Alas! this night! prepare for the worst, mistress! May Isis comfortthee, who saw thy son fall in the service of his king and father! MayAmon, the great God of Thebes, give thee strength! Our pride, our hope, thy son is slain, killed by a falling beam. "

Pale and still as if frozen, Katuti shed not a tear; for a minute shedid not speak, then she asked in a dull tone:

"And Rameses?"

"The Gods be praised!" answered the servant, "he is safe-rescued byMena!"

"And Ani?"

"Burnt!--they found his body disfigured out of all recognition; theyknew him again by the jewels he wore at the banquet. "

Katuti gazed into vacancy, and the steward started back as from a madwoman when, instead of bursting into tears, she clenched her smalljewelled hands, shook her fists in the air, and broke into loud, wildlaughter; then, startled at the sound of her own voice, she suddenlybecame silent and fixed her eyes vacantly on the ground. She neither sawnor heard that the captain of the watch, who was called "the eyes andears of the king, " had come in through the door of her tent followed byseveral officers and a scribe; he came up to her, and called her byher name. Not till the steward timidly touched her did she collect hersenses like one suddenly roused from deep sleep. 

"What are you doing in my tent?" she asked the officer, drawing herselfup haughtily. 

"In the name of the chief judge of Thebes, " said the captain of thewatch solemnly. "I arrest you, and hail you before the high court ofjustice, to defend yourself against the grave and capital charges ofhigh treason, attempted regicide, and incendiarism. "

"I am ready, " said the widow, and a scornful smile curled her lips. Thenwith her usual dignity she pointed to a seat and said:

"Be seated while I dress. "

The officer bowed, but remained standing at the door of the tent whileshe arranged her black hair, set her diadem on her brow, opened herlittle ointment chest, and took from it a small phial of the rapidpoison strychnine, which some months before she had procured throughNemu from the old witch Hekt. 

"My mirror!" she called to a maid servant, who squatted in a corner ofthe tent. She held the metal mirror so as to conceal her face from thecaptain of the watch, put the little flask to her lips and emptied itat one mouthful. The mirror fell from her hand, she staggered, a deadlyconvulsion seized her--the officer rushed forward, and while she fixedher dying look upon him she said:

"My game is lost, but Ameni--tell Ameni that he will not win either. "

She fell forward, murmured Nefert's name, struggled convulsively and wasdead. 

When the draught of happiness which the Gods prepare for some few men, seems to flow clearest and purest, Fate rarely fails to infuse into itsome drop of bitterness. And yet we should not therefore disdain it, forit is that very drop of bitterness which warns us to drink of the joysof life thankfully, and in moderation. 

The perfect happiness of Mena and Nefert was troubled by the fearfuldeath of Katuti, but both felt as if they now for the first time knewthe full strength of their love for each other. Mena had to make up tohis wife for the loss of mother and brother, and Nefert to restore toher husband much that he had been robbed of by her relatives, and theyfelt that they had met again not merely for pleasure but to be to eachother a support and a consolation. 

Rameses quitted the scene of the fire full of gratitude to the Gods whohad shown such grace to him and his. He ordered numberless steers to besacrificed, and thanksgiving festivals to be held throughout the land;but he was cut to the heart by the betrayal to which he had fallen avictim. He longed--as he always did in moments when the balance of hismind had been disturbed--for an hour of solitude, and retired to thetent which had been hastily erected for him. He could not bear to enterthe splendid pavilion which had been Ani's; it seemed to him infestedwith the leprosy of falsehood and treason. 

For an hour he remained alone, and weighed the worst he had suffered atthe hands of men against that which was good and cheering, and he foundthat the good far outweighed the evil. He vividly realized the magnitudeof his debt of gratitude, not to the Immortals only, but also tohis earthly friends, as he recalled every moment of this morning'sexperience. 

"Gratitude, " he said to himself, "was impressed on you by your mother;you yourself have taught your children to be grateful. Piety isgratitude to the Gods, and he only is really generous who does notforget the gratitude he owes to men. "

He had thrown off all bitterness of feeling when he sent for Bent-Anatand Pentaur to be brought to his tent. He made his daughter relate atfull length how the poet had won her love, and though he frequentlyinterrupted her with blame as well as praise, his heart was full offatherly joy when he laid his darling's hand in that of the poet. 

Bent-Anat laid her head in full content on the breast of the nobleAssa's grandson, but she would have clung not less fondly to Pentaur thegardener's son. 

"Now you are one of my own children, " said Rameses; and he desired thepoet to remain with him while he commanded the heralds, ambassadors, andinterpreters to bring to him the Asiatic princes, who were detained intheir own tents on the farther side of the Nile, that he might concludewith them such a treaty of peace as might continue valid for generationsto come. Before they arrived, the young princes came to their father'stent, and learned from his own lips the noble birth of Pentaur, and thatthey owed it to their sister that in him they saw another brother; theywelcomed him with sincere affection, and all, especially Rameri, warmlycongratulated the handsome and worthy couple. 

The king then called Rameri forward from among his brothers, and thankedhim before them all for his brave conduct during the fire. He hadalready been invested with the robe of manhood after the battleof Kadesh; he was now appointed to the command of a legion ofchariot-warriors, and the order of the lion to wear round his neckwas bestowed on him for his bravery. The prince knelt, and thanked hisfather; but Rameses took the curly head in his hands and said:

"You have won praise and reward by your splendid deeds from the fatherwhom you have saved and filled with pride. But the king watches over thelaws, and guides the destiny cf this land, the king must blame you, nayperhaps punish you. You could not yield to the discipline of school, where we all must learn to obey if we would afterwards exercise ourauthority with moderation, and without any orders you left Egypt andjoined the army. You showed the courage and strength of a man, but thefolly of a boy in all that regards prudence and foresight--things harderto learn for the son of a race of heroes than mere hitting and slashingat random; you, without experience, measured yourself against masters ofthe art of war, and what was the consequence? Twice you fell a prisonerinto the hands of the enemy, and I had to ransom you. 

"The king of the Danaids gave you up in exchange for his daughter, and he rejoices long since in the restoration of his child; but we, in losing her, lost the most powerful means of coercing the seafaringnations of the islands and northern coasts of the great sea who areconstantly increasing in might and daring, and so diminished our chancesof securing a solid and abiding peace. 

"Thus--through the careless wilfulness of a boy, the great workis endangered which I had hoped to have achieved. It grieves meparticularly to humiliate your spirit to-day, when I have had so muchreason to encourage you with praise. Nor will I punish you, only warnyou and teach you. The mechanism of the state is like the working of thecogged wheels which move the water-works on the shore of the Nile-ifone tooth is missing the whole comes to a stand-still however strongthe beasts that labor to turn it. Each of you--bear this in mind--is amain-wheel in the great machine of the state, and can serve an end onlyby acting unresistingly in obedience to the motive power. Now rise! wemay perhaps succeed in obtaining good security from the Asiatic king, though we have lost our hostage. "

Heralds at this moment marched into the tent, and announced thatthe representative of the Cheta king and the allied princes were inattendance in the council tent; Rameses put on the crown of Upper andLower Egypt and all his royal adornments; the chamberlain who carriedthe insignia of his power, and his head scribe with his decoration ofplumes marched before him, while his sons, the commanders in chief, andthe interpreters followed him. Rameses took his seat on his throne withgreat dignity, and the sternest gravity marked his demeanor while hereceived the homage of the conquered and fettered kings. 

The Asiatics kissed the earth at his feet, only the king of the Danaidsdid no more than bow before him. Rameses looked wrathfully at him, and ordered the interpreter to ask him whether he considered himselfconquered or no, and the answer was given that he had not come beforethe Pharaoh as a prisoner, and that the obeisance which Rameses requiredof him was regarded as a degradation according to the customs of hisfree-born people, who prostrated them selves only before the Gods. Hehoped to become an ally of the king of Egypt, and he asked would hedesire to call a degraded man his friend?

Rameses measured the proud and noble figure before him with a glance, and said severely:

"I am prepared to treat for peace only with such of my enemies as arewilling to bow to the double crown that I wear. If you persist inyour refusal, you and your people will have no part in the favorableconditions that I am prepared to grant to these, your allies. "

The captive prince preserved his dignified demeanor, which wasnevertheless free from insolence, when these words of the king wereinterpreted to him, and replied that he had come intending to procurepeace at any cost, but that he never could nor would grovel in the dustat any man's feet nor before any crown. He would depart on the followingday; one favor, however, he requested in his daughter's name and hisown--and he had heard that the Egyptians respected women. The king knew, of course, that his charioteer Mena had treated his daughter, not as aprisoner but as a sister, and Praxilla now felt a wish, which he himselfshared, to bid farewell to the noble Mena, and his wife, and to thankhim for his magnanimous generosity. Would Rameses permit him once moreto cross the Nile before his departure, and with his daughter to visitMena in his tent. 

Rameses granted his prayer: the prince left the tent, and thenegotiations began. 

In a few hours they were brought to a close, for the Asiatic andEgyptian scribes had agreed, in the course of the long march southwards, on the stipulations to be signed; the treaty itself was to be drawn upafter the articles had been carefully considered, and to be signed inthe city of Rameses called Tanis--or, by the numerous settlers in itsneighborhood, Zoan. The Asiatic princes were to dine as guests with theking; but they sat at a separate table, as the Egyptians would have beendefiled by sitting at the same table with strangers. 

Rameses was not perfectly satisfied. If the Danaids went away withoutconcluding a treaty with him, it was to be expected that the peace whichhe was so earnestly striving for would before long be again disturbed;and he nevertheless felt that, out of regard for the other conqueredprinces, he could not forego any jot of the humiliation which hehad required of their king, and which he believed to be due tohimself--though he had been greatly impressed by his dignified manlinessand by the bravery of the troops that had followed him into the field. 

The sun was sinking when Mena, who that day had leave of absence fromthe king, came in great excitement up to the table where the princeswere sitting and craved the king's permission to make an importantcommunication. Rameses signed consent; the charioteer went close up tohim, and they held a short but eager conversation in a low voice. 

Presently the king stood up and said, speaking to his daughter:

"This day which began so horribly will end joyfully. The fair child whosaved you to-day, but who so nearly fell a victim to the flames, is ofnoble origin. "

"She cones of a royal house, " said Rameri, disrespectfully interruptinghis father. Rameses looked at him reprovingly. "My sons are silent, " hesaid, "till I ask them to speak. "

The prince colored and looked down; the king signed to Bent-Anat andPentaur, begged his guests to excuse him for a short time, and was aboutto leave the tent; but Bent-Anat went up to him, and whispered a fewwords to him with reference to her brother. Not in vain: the kingpaused, and reflected for a few moments; then he looked at Rameri, whostood abashed, and as if rooted to the spot where he stood. The kingcalled his name, and beckoned him to follow him. 

CHAPTER XLV. 

Rameri had rushed off to summon the physicians, while Bent-Anat wasendeavoring to restore the rescued Uarda to consciousness, and hefollowed them into his sister's tent. He gazed with tender anxietyinto the face of the half suffocated girl, who, though uninjured, stillremained unconscious, and took her hand to press his lips to her slenderfingers, but Bent-Anat pushed him gently away; then in low tones thattrembled with emotion he implored her not to send him away, and told herhow dear the girl whose life he had saved in the fight in the Necropolishad become to him--how, since his departure for Syria, he had neverceased to think of her night and day, and that he desired to make herhis wife. 

Bent-Anat was startled; she reminded her brother of the stain thatlay on the child of the paraschites and through which she herself hadsuffered so much; but Rameri answered eagerly:

"In Egypt rank and birth are derived through the mother and Kaschta'sdead wife--"

"I know, " interrupted Bent-Anat. "Nebsecht has already told us that shewas a dumb woman, a prisoner of war, and I myself believe that she wasof no mean house, for Uarda is nobly formed in face and figure. "

"And her skin is as fine as the petal of a flower, " cried Rameri. "Hervoice is like the ring of pure gold, and--Oh! look, she is moving. Uarda, open your eyes, Uarda! When the sun rises we praise the Gods. Open your eyes! how thankful, how joyful I shall be if those two sunsonly rise again. "

Bent-Anat smiled, and drew her brother away from the heavily-breathinggirl, for a leech came into the tent to say that a warm medicated bathhad been prepared and was ready for Uarda. The princess ordered herwaiting-women to help lift the senseless girl, and was preparing tofollow her when a message from her father required her presence in histent. She could guess at the significance of this command, and desiredRameri to leave her that she might dress in festal garments; she couldentrust Uarda to the care of Nefert during her absence. 

"She is kind and gentle, and she knows Uarda so well, " said theprincess, "and the necessity of caring for this dear little creaturewill do her good. Her heart is torn between sorrow for her lostrelations, and joy at being united again to her love. My father hasgiven Mena leave of absence from his office for several days, and I haveexcused her from her attendance on me, for the time during which wewere so necessary to each other really came to an end yesterday. I feel, Rameri, as if we, after our escape, were like the sacred phoenix whichcomes to Heliopolis and burns itself to death only to soar again fromits ashes young and radiant--blessed and blessing!"

When her brother had left her, she threw herself before the image of hermother and prayed long and earnestly; she poured an offering ofsweet perfume on the little altar of the Goddess Hathor, which alwaysaccompanied her, had herself dressed in happy preparation for meetingher father, and--she did not conceal it from herself--Pentaur, thenshe went for a moment to Nefert's tent to beg her to take good careof Uarda, and finally obeyed the summons of the king, who, as we know, fulfilled her utmost hopes. 

As Rameri quitted his sister's tent he saw the watch seize and leadaway a little boy; the child cried bitterly, and the prince in a momentrecognized the little sculptor Scherau, who had betrayed the Regent'splot to him and to Uarda, and whom he had already fancied he had seenabout the place. The guards had driven him away several times from theprincess's tent, but he had persisted in returning, and this obstinatewaiting in the neighborhood had aroused the suspicions of an officer;for since the fire a thousand rumors of conspiracies and plots againstthe king had been flying about the camp. Rameri at once freed the littleprisoner, and heard from him that it was old Hekt who, before her death, had sent Kaschta and his daughter to the rescue of the king, that hehimself had helped to rouse the troops, that now he had no home andwished to go to Uarda. 

The prince himself led the child to Nefert, and begged her to allowhim to see Uarda, and to let him stay with her servants till he himselfreturned from his father's tent. 

The leeches had treated Uarda with judgment, for under the influence ofthe bath she recovered her senses; when she had been dressed again infresh garments and refreshed by the essences and medicines which theygave her to inhale and to drink, she was led back into Nefert's tent, where Mena, who had never before seen her, was astonished at herpeculiar and touching beauty. 

"She is very like my Danaid princess, " he said to his wife; "only she isyounger and much prettier than she. "

Little Scherau came in to pay his respects to her, and she was delightedto see the boy; still she was sad, and however kindly Nefert spoke toher she remained in silent reverie, while from time to time a large tearrolled down her cheek. 

"You have lost your father!" said Nefert, trying to comfort her. "And I, my mother and brother both in one day. "

"Kaschta was rough but, oh! so kind, " replied Uarda. "He was always sofond of me; he was like the fruit of the doom palm; its husk is hard andrough, but he who knows how to open it finds the sweet pulp within. Nowhe is dead, and my grandfather and grandmother are gone before him, andI am like the green leaf that I saw floating on the waters when we werecrossing the sea; anything so forlorn I never saw, abandoned by all itbelonged to or had ever loved, the sport of a strange element in whichnothing resembling itself ever grew or ever can grow. "

Nefert kissed her forehead. "You have friends, " she said, "who willnever abandon you. "

"I know, I know!" said Uarda thoughtfully, "and yet I am alone--for thefirst time really alone. In Thebes I have often looked after the wildswans as they passed across the sky; one flies in front, then comesthe body of the wandering party, and very often, far behind, a solitarystraggler; and even this last one I do not call lonely, for he can stillsee his brethren in front of him. But when the hunters have shot downall the low-flying loiterers, and the last one has lost sight of theflock, and knows that he never again can find them or follow them he isindeed to be pitied. I am as unhappy as the abandoned bird, for I havelost sight to-day of all that I belong to, and I am alone, and can neverfind them again. "

"You will be welcomed into some more noble house than that to which youbelong by birth, " said Nefert, to comfort her. 

Uarda's eyes flashed, and she said proudly, almost defiantly:

"My race is that of my mother, who was a daughter of no mean house; thereason I turned back this morning and went into the smoke and fireagain after I had escaped once into the open air--what I went back for, because I felt it was worth dying for, was my mother's legacy, which Ihad put away with my holiday dress when I followed the wretched Nemu tohis tent. I threw myself into the jaws of death to save the jewel, butcertainly not because it is made of gold and precious stones--for I donot care to be rich, and I want no better fare than a bit of bread and afew dates and a cup of water--but because it has a name on it in strangecharacters, and because I believe it will serve to discover the peoplefrom whom my mother was carried off; and now I have lost the jewel, andwith it my identity and my hopes and happiness. "

Uarda wept aloud; Nefert put her arm around her affectionately. 

"Poor child!" she said, "was your treasure destroyed in the flames?"

"No, no, " cried Uarda eagerly. "I snatched it out of my chest and heldit in my hand when Nebsecht took me in his arms, and I still had it inmy hand when I was lying safe on the ground outside the burning house, and Bent-Anat was close to me, and Rameri came up. I remember seeing himas if I were in a dream, and I revived a little, and I felt the jewel inmy fingers then. "

"Then it was dropped on the way to the tent?" said Nefert. 

Uarda nodded; little Scherau, who had been crouching on the floor besideher, gave Uarda a loving glance, dimmed with tears, and quietly slippedout of the tent. 

Time went by in silence; Uarda sat looking at the ground, Nefert andMena held each other's hands, but the thoughts of all three were withthe dead. A perfect stillness reigned, and the happiness of the reunitedcouple was darkly overshadowed by their sorrow. From time to time thesilence was broken by a trumpet-blast from the royal tent; first whenthe Asiatic princes were introduced into the Council-tent, then when theDanaid king departed, and lastly when the Pharaoh preceded the conqueredprinces to the banquet. 

The charioteer remembered how his master had restored him to dignityand honor, for the sake of his faithful wife; and gratefully pressed herhand. 

Suddenly there was a noise in front of the tent, and an officer enteredto announce to Mena that the Danaid king and his daughter, accompaniedby body-guard, requested to see and speak with him and Nefert. 

The entrance to the tent was thrown wide open. Uarda retired modestlyinto the back-ground, and Mena and Nefert went forward hand in hand tomeet their unexpected guests. 

The Greek prince was an old man, his beard and thick hair were grey, buthis movements were youthful and light, though dignified and deliberate. His even, well-formed features were deeply furrowed, he had large, bright, clear blue eyes, but round his fine lips were lines of care. Close to him walked his daughter; her long white robe striped withpurple was held round her hips by a golden girdle, and her sunny yellowhair fell in waving locks over her neck and shoulders, while it wasconfined by a diadem which encircled her head; she was of middle height, and her motions were measured and calm like her father's. Her brow wasnarrow, and in one line with her straight nose, her rosy mouth was sweetand kind, and beyond everything beautiful were the lines of her ovalface and the turn of her snow-white throat. By their side stood theinterpreter who translated every word of the conversation on both sides. Behind them came two men and two women, who carried gifts for Mena andhis wife. 

The prince praised Mena's magnanimity in the warmest terms. 

"You have proved to me, " he said, "that the virtues of gratitude, ofconstancy, and of faith are practised by the Egyptians; although yourmerit certainly appears less to me now that I see your wife, for he whoowns the fairest may easily forego any taste for the fair. "

Nefert blushed. 

"Your generosity, " she answered, "does me more than justice at yourdaughter's expense, and love moved my husband to the same injustice, butyour beautiful daughter must forgive you and me also. "

Praxilla went towards her and expressed her thanks; then she offered herthe costly coronet, the golden clasps and strings of rare pearls whichher women carried; her father begged Mena to accept a coat of mail anda shield of fine silver work. The strangers were then led into the tent, and were there welcomed and entertained with all honor, and offeredbread and wine. While Mena pledged her father, Praxilla related toNefert, with the help of the interpreter, what hours of terror she hadlived through after she had been taken prisoner by the Egyptians, andwas brought into the camp with the other spoils of war; how an oldercommander had asserted his claim to her, how Mena had given herhis hand, had led her to his tent, and had treated her like his owndaughter. Her voice shook with emotion, and even the interpreter wasmoved as she concluded her story with these words: "How grateful I am tohim, you will fully understand when I tell you that the man who was tohave been my husband fell wounded before my eyes while defending ourcamp; but he has recovered, and now only awaits my return for ourwedding. "

"May the Gods only grant it!" cried the king, "for Praxilla is the lastchild of my house. The murderous war robbed me of my four fair sonsbefore they had taken wives, my son-in-law was slain by the Egyptiansat the taking of our camp, and his wife and new-born son fell into theirhands, and Praxilla is my youngest child, the only one left to me by theenvious Gods. "

While he was still speaking, they heard the guards call out and achild's loud cry, and at the same instant little Scherau rushed into thetent holding up his hand exclaiming. 

"I have it! I have found it!"

Uarda, who had remained behind the curtain which screened the sleepingroom of the tent--but who had listened with breathless attention toevery word of the foreigners, and who had never taken her eyes off thefair Praxilla--now came forward, emboldened by her agitation, into themidst of the tent, and took the jewel from the child's hand to show itto the Greek king; for while she stood gazing at Praxilla it seemedto her that she was looking at herself in a mirror, and the idea hadrapidly grown to conviction that her mother had been a daughter of theDanaids. Her heart beat violently as she went up to the king with amodest demeanor, her head bent down, but holding her jewel up for him tosee. 

The bystanders all gazed in astonishment at the veteran chief, for hestaggered as she came up to him, stretched out his hands as if in terrortowards the girl, and drew back crying out:

"Xanthe, Xanthe! Is your spirit freed from Hades? Are you come to summonme?"

Praxilla looked at her father in alarm, but suddenly she, too, gave apiercing cry, snatched a chain from her neck, hurried towards Uarda, andseizing the jewel she held, exclaimed:

"Here is the other half of the ornament, it belonged to my poor sisterXanthe!"

The old Greek was a pathetic sight, he struggled hard to collecthimself, looking with tender delight at Uarda, his sinewy handstrembled as he compared the two pieces of the necklet; they matchedprecisely--each represented the wing of an eagle which was attached tohalf an oval covered with an inscription; when they were laid togetherthey formed the complete figure of a bird with out-spread wings, onwhose breast the lines exactly matched of the following oracular verse:

 "Alone each is a trifling thing, a woman's useless toy But with its counterpart behold! the favorite bird of Zeus. "

A glance at the inscription convinced the king that he held in his handthe very jewel which he had put with his own hands round the neck ofhis daughter Xanthe on her marriage-day, and of which the other half hadbeen preserved by her mother, from whom it had descended to Praxilla. Ithad originally been made for his wife and her twin sister who had diedyoung. Before he made any enquiries, or asked for any explanations, hetook Uarda's head between his hands, and turning her face close tohis he gazed at her features, as if he were reading a book in which heexpected to find a memorial of all the blissful hours of his youth, andthe girl felt no fear; nor did she shrink when he pressed his lips toher forehead, for she felt that this man's blood ran in her own veins. At last the king signed to the interpreter; Uarda was asked to tell allshe knew of her mother, and when she said that she had come a captiveto Thebes with an infant that had soon after died, that her father hadbought her and had loved her in spite of her being dumb, the prince'sconviction became certainty; he acknowledged Uarda as his grandchild, and Praxilla clasped her in her arms. 

Then he told Mena that it was now twenty years since his son-in-law hadbeen killed, and his daughter Xanthe, whom Uarda exactly resembled, hadbeen carried into captivity. Praxilla was then only just born, and hiswife died of the shock of such terrible news. All his enquiries forXanthe and her child had been fruitless, but he now remembered thatonce, when he had offered a large ransom for his daughter if she couldbe found, the Egyptians had enquired whether she were dumb, and that hehad answered "no. " No doubt Xanthe had lost the power of speech throughgrief, terror, and suffering. 

The joy of the king was unspeakable, and Uarda was never tired of gazingat his daughter and holding her hand. 

Then she turned to the interpreter. 

"Tell me, " she said. "How do I say 'I am so very happy?'"

He told her, and she smilingly repeated his words. "Now 'Uarda will loveyou with all her heart?'" and she said it after him in broken accentsthat sounded so sweet and so heart-felt, that the old man clasped her tohis breast. 

Tears of emotion stood in Nefert's eyes, and when Uarda flung herselfinto her arms she said:

"The forlorn swan has found its kindred, the floating leaf has reachedthe shore, and must be happy now!" Thus passed an hour of the puresthappiness; at last the Greek king prepared to leave, and the wished totake Uarda with him; but Mena begged his permission to communicate allthat had occurred to the Pharaoh and Bent-Anat, for Uarda was attachedto the princess's train, and had been left in his charge, and he darednot trust her in any other hands without Bent-Anat's permission. Without waiting for the king's reply he left the tent, hastened to thebanqueting tent, and, as we know, Rameses and the princess had at onceattended to his summons. 

On the way Mena gave them a vivid description of the exciting eventsthat had taken place, and Rameses, with a side glance at Bent-Anat, asked Rameri:

"Would you be prepared to repair your errors, and to win the friendshipof the Greek king by being betrothed to his granddaughter?"

The prince could not answer a word, but he clasped his father's hand, and kissed it so warmly that Rameses, as he drew it away, said:

"I really believe that you have stolen a march on me, and have beenstudying diplomacy behind my back!"

Rameses met his noble opponent outside Mena's tent, and was about tooffer him his hand, but the Danaid chief had sunk on his knees beforehim as the other princes had done. 

"Regard me not as a king and a warrior, " he exclaimed, "only as asuppliant father; let us conclude a peace, and permit me to take thismaiden, my grandchild, home with me to my own country. "

Rameses raised the old man from the ground, gave him his hand, and saidkindly:

"I can only grant the half of what you ask. I, as king of Egypt, am mostwilling to grant you a faithful compact for a sound and lasting peace;as regards this maiden, you must treat with my children, first withmy daughter Bent-Anat, one of whose ladies she is, and then with yourreleased prisoner there, who wishes to make Uarda his wife. "

"I will resign my share in the matter to my brother, " said Bent-Anat, "and I only ask you, maiden, whether you are inclined to acknowledge himas your lord and master?"

Uarda bowed assent, and looked at her grandfather with an expressionwhich he understood without any interpreter. 

"I know you well, " he said, turning to Rameri. "We stood face to face inthe fight, and I took you prisoner as you fell stunned by a blow from mysword. You are still too rash, but that is a fault which time will amendin a youth of your heroic temper. Listen to me now, and you too, noblePharaoh, permit me these few words; let us betroth these two, and maytheir union be the bond of ours, but first grant me for a year to takemy long-lost child home with me that she may rejoice my old heart, andthat I may hear from her lips the accents of her mother, whom you tookfrom me. They are both young; according to the usages of our country, where both men and women ripen later than in your country, they arealmost too young for the solemn tie of marriage. But one thing above allwill determine you to favor my wishes; this daughter of a royal househas grown up amid the humblest surroundings; here she has no home, nofamily-ties. The prince has wooed her, so to speak, on the highway, butif she now comes with me he can enter the palace of kings as suitor toa princess, and the marriage feast I will provide shall be a right royalone. "

"What you demand is just and wise, " replied Rameses. "Take yourgrand-child with you as my son's betrothed bride--my future daughter. Give me your hands, my children. The delay will teach you patience, forRameri must remain a full year from to-day in Egypt, and it will be toyour profit, sweet child, for the obedience which he will learn throughhis training in the army will temper the nature of your future husband. You, Rameri, shall in a year from to-day--and I think you will notforget the date--find at your service a ship in the harbor of Pelusium, fitted and manned with Phoenicians, to convey you to your wedding. "

"So be it!" exclaimed the old man. "And by Zeus who hears me swear--Iwill not withhold Xanthe's daughter from your son when he comes to claimher!"

When Rameri returned to the princes' tent he threw himself on theirnecks in turn, and when he found himself alone with their surly oldhouse-steward, he snatched his wig from his head, flung it in the air, and then coaxingly stroked the worthy officer's cheeks as he set it onhis head again. 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

Uarda accompanied her grandfather and Praxilla to their tent on thefarther side of the Nile, but she was to return next morning to theEgyptian camp to take leave of all her friends, and to provide for herfather's internment. Nor did she delay attending to the last wishes ofold Hekt, and Bent-Anat easily persuaded her father, when he learnt howgreatly he had been indebted to her, to have her embalmed like a lady ofrank. 

Before Uarda left the Egyptian camp, Pentaur came to entreat her toafford her dying preserver Nebsecht the last happiness of seeing heronce more; Uarda acceded with a blush, and the poet, who had watched allnight by his friend, went forward to prepare him for her visit. 

Nebsecht's burns and a severe wound on his head caused him greatsuffering; his cheeks glowed with fever, and the physicians told Pentaurthat he probably could not live more than a few hours. 

The poet laid his cool hand on his friend's brow, and spoke to himencouragingly; but Nebsecht smiled at his words with the peculiarexpression of a man who knows that his end is near, and said in a lowvoice and with a visible effort:

"A few breaths more and here, and here, will be peace. " He laid his handon his head and on his heart. 

"We all attain to peace, " said Pentaur. "But perhaps only to labor moreearnestly and unweariedly in the land beyond the grave. If the Godsreward any thing it is the honest struggle, the earnest seeking aftertruth; if any spirit can be made one with the great Soul of the world itwill be yours, and if any eye may see the Godhead through the veil whichhere shrouds the mystery of His existence yours will have earned theprivilege. "

"I have pushed and pulled, " sighed Nebsecht, "with all my might, andnow when I thought I had caught a glimpse of the truth the heavy fist ofdeath comes down upon me and shuts my eyes. What good will it do me tosee with the eye of the Divinity or to share in his omniscience? It isnot seeing, it is seeking that is delightful--so delightful that I wouldwillingly set my life there against another life here for the sake ofit. " He was silent, for his strength failed, and Pentaur begged him tokeep quiet, and to occupy his mind in recalling all the hours of joywhich life had given him. 

"They have been few, " said the leech. "When my mother kissed me and gaveme dates, when I could work and observe in peace, when you opened myeyes to the beautiful world of poetry--that was good!"

And you have soothed the sufferings of many men, added Pentaur, "andnever caused pain to any one. "

Nebsecht shook his head. 

"I drove the old paraschites, " he muttered, "to madness and to death. "

He was silent for a long time, then he looked up eagerly and said: "Butnot intentionally--and not in vain! In Syria, at Megiddo I could workundisturbed; now I know what the organ is that thinks. The heart! Whatis the heart? A ram's heart or a man's heart, they serve the same end;they turn the wheel of animal life, they both beat quicker in terror orin joy, for we feel fear or pleasure just as animals do. But Thought, the divine power that flies to the infinite, and enables us to form andprove our opinions, has its seat here--Here in the brain, behind thebrow. "

He paused exhausted and overcome with pain. Pentaur thought he waswandering in his fever, and offered him a cooling drink while twophysicians walked round his bed singing litanies; then, as Nebsechtraised himself in bed with renewed energy, the poet said to him:

"The fairest memory of your life must surely be that of the sweet childwhose face, as you once confessed to me, first opened your soul to thesense of beauty, and whom with your own hands you snatched from deathat the cost of your own life. You know Uarda has found her own relativesand is happy, and she is very grateful to her preserver, and would liketo see him once more before she goes far away with her grandfather. "

The sick man hesitated before he answered softly:

"Let her come--but I will look at her from a distance. "

Pentaur went out and soon returned with Uarda, who remained standingwith glowing cheeks and tears in her eyes at the door of the tent. Theleech looked at her a long time with an imploring and tender expression, then he said:

"Accept my thanks--and be happy. "

The girl would have gone up to him to take his hand, but he waved heroff with his right hand enveloped in wrappings. 

"Come no nearer, " he said, "but stay a moment longer. You have tears inyour eyes; are they for me or only for my pain?"

"For you, good noble man! my friend and my preserver!" said Uarda. "Foryou dear, poor Nebsecht!" The leech closed his eyes as she spoke thesewords with earnest feeling, but he looked up once more as she ceasedspeaking, and gazed at her with tender admiration; then he said softly:

"It is enough--now I can die. "

Uarda left the tent, Pentaur remained with him listening to his hoarseand difficult breathing; suddenly:

Nebsecht raised himself, and said: "Farewell, my friend, --my journey isbeginning, who knows whither?"

"Only not into vacancy, not to end in nothingness!" cried Pentaurwarmly. 

The leech shook his head. "I have been something, " he said, "and beingsomething I cannot become nothing. Nature is a good economist, andutilizes the smallest trifle; she will use me too according to her need. She brings everything to its end and purpose in obedience to some ruleand measure, and will so deal with me after I am dead; there is nowaste. Each thing results in being that which it is its function tobecome; our wish or will is not asked--my head! when the pain is in myhead I cannot think--if only I could prove--could prove----"

The last words were less and less audible, his breath was choked, and ina few seconds Pentaur with deep regret closed his eyes. 

Pentaur, as he quitted the tent where the dead man lay, met thehigh-priest Ameni, who had gone to seek him by his friend's bed-side, and they returned together to gaze on the dead. Ameni, with muchemotion, put up a few earnest prayers for the salvation of his soul, andthen requested Pentaur to follow him without delay to his tent. On theway he prepared the poet, with the polite delicacy which was peculiar tohim, for a meeting which might be more painful than joyful to him, andmust in any case bring him many hours of anxiety and agitation. 

The judges in Thebes, who had been compelled to sentence the ladySetchem, as the mother of a traitor, to banishment to the mines had, without any demand on her part, granted leave to the noble and mostrespectable matron to go under an escort of guards to meet the king onhis return into Egypt, in order to petition for mercy for herself, butnot, as it was expressly added--for Paaker; and she had set out, butwith the secret resolution to obtain the king's grace not for herselfbut for her son. 

 [Agatharchides, in Diodorus III. 12, says that in many cases not only the criminal but his relations also were condemned to labor in the mines. In the convention signed between Rameses and the Cheta king it is expressly provided that the deserter restored to Egypt shall go unpunished, that no injury shall be done "to his house, his wife or his children, nor shall his mother be put to death. "]

Ameni had already left Thebes for the north when this sentence waspronounced, or he would have reversed it by declaring the true originof Paaker; for after he had given up his participation in the Regent'sconspiracy, he no longer had any motive for keeping old Hekt's secret. 

Setchem's journey was lengthened by a storm which wrecked the ship inwhich she was descending the Nile, and she did not reach Pelusium tillafter the king. The canal which formed the mouth of the Nile closeto this fortress and joined the river to the Mediterranean, was soover-crowded with the boats of the Regent and his followers, of theambassadors, nobles, citizens, and troops which had met from all partsof the country, that the lady's boat could find anchorage only at agreat distance from the city, and accompanied by her faithfulsteward she had succeeded only a few hours before in speaking to thehigh-priest. 

Setchem was terribly changed; her eyes, which only a few months sincehad kept an efficient watch over the wealthy Theban household, were nowdim and weary, and although her figure had not grown thin it had lostits dignity and energy, and seemed inert and feeble. Her lips, so readyfor a wise or sprightly saying, were closely shut, and moved only insilent prayer or when some friend spoke to her of her unhappy son. Hisdeed she well knew was that of a reprobate, and she sought no excuse ordefence; her mother's heart forgave it without any. Whenever she thoughtof him--and she thought of him incessantly all through the day andthrough her sleepless nights-her eyes overflowed with tears. 

Her boat had reached Pelusium just as the flames were breaking out inthe palace; the broad flare of light and the cries from the variousvessels in the harbor brought her on deck. She heard that the burninghouse was the pavilion erected by Ani for the king's residence; Ramesesshe was told was in the utmost danger, and the fire had beyond a doubtbeen laid by traitors. 

As day broke and further news reached her, the names of her son and ofher sister came to her ear; she asked no questions--she would not hearthe truth--but she knew it all the same; as often as the word "traitor"caught her ear in her cabin, to which she had retreated, she felt as ifsome keen pain shot through her bewildered brain, and shuddered as iffrom a cold chill. 

All through that day she could neither eat nor drink, but lay withclosed eyes on her couch, while her steward--who had soon learnt what aterrible share his former master had taken in the incendiarism, andwho now gave up his lady's cause for lost--sought every where for thehigh-priest Ameni; but as he was among the persons nearest to the kingit was impossible to see him that day, and it was not till the nextmorning that he was able to speak with him. Ameni inspired the anxiousand sorrowful old retainer with, fresh courage, returned with him inhis own chariot to the harbor, and accompanied him to Setchem's boatto prepare her for the happiness which awaited her after her terribletroubles. But he came too late, the spirit of the poor lady was quiteclouded, and she listened to him without any interest while he stroveto restore her to courage and to recall her wandering mind. She onlyinterrupted him over and over again with the questions: "Did he do it?"or "Is he alive?"

At last Ameni succeeded in persuading her to accompany him in her litterto his tent, where she would find her son. Pentaur was wonderfully likeher lost husband, and the priest, experienced in humanity, thought thatthe sight of him would rouse the dormant powers of her mind. When shehad arrived at his tent, he told her with kind precaution the wholehistory of the exchange of Paaker for Pentaur, and she followed thestory with attention but with indifference, as if she were hearing ofthe adventures of others who did not concern her. When Ameni enlarged onthe genius of the poet and on his perfect resemblance to his dead fathershe muttered:

"I know--I know. You mean the speaker at the Feast of the Valley, "and then although she had been told several times that Paaker had beenkilled, she asked again if her son was alive. 

Ameni decided at last to fetch Pentaur himself, When he came back with him, fully prepared to meet his heavily-strickenmother, the tent was empty. The high-priest's servants told him thatSetchem had persuaded the easily-moved old prophet Gagabu to conduct herto the place where the body of Paaker lay. Ameni was very much vexed, for he feared that Setchem was now lost indeed, and he desired the poetto follow him at once. 

The mortal remains of the pioneer had been laid in a tent not far fromthe scene of the fire; his body was covered with a cloth, but his paleface, which had not been injured in his fall, remained uncovered; by hisside knelt the unhappy mother. 

She paid no heed to Ameni when he spoke to her, and he laid his hand onher shoulder and said as he pointed to the body:

"This was the son of a gardener. You brought him up faithfully as if hewere your own; but your noble husband's true heir, the son you bore him, is Pentaur, to whom the Gods have given not only the form and featuresbut the noble qualities of his father. The dead man may be forgiven--forthe sake of your virtues; but your love is due to this nobler soul--thereal son of your husband, the poet of Egypt, the preserver of the king'slife. "

Setchem rose and went up to Pentaur, she smiled at him and stroked hisface and breast. 

"It is he, " she said. "May the Immortals bless him!"

Pentaur would have clasped her in his arms, but she pushed him away asif she feared to commit some breach of faith, and turning hastily to thebier she said softly:

"Poor Paaker--poor, poor Paaker!"

"Mother, mother, do you not know your son?" cried Pentaur deeply moved. 

She turned to him again: "It is his voice, " she said. "It is he. "

She went up to Pentaur, clung to him, clasped her arm around his neck ashe bent over her, then kissing him fondly:

"The Gods will bless you!" she said once more. She tore herself fromhim and threw herself down by the body of Paaker, as if she had done himsome injustice and robbed him of his rights. 

Thus she remained, speechless and motionless, till they carried her backto her boat, there she lay down, and refused to take any nourishment;from time to time she whispered "Poor Paaker!" She no longer repelledPentaur, for she did not again recognize him, and before he left her shehad followed the rough-natured son of her adoption to the other world. 

CHAPTER XLVII. 

The king had left the camp, and had settled in the neighboring city ofRameses' Tanis, with the greater part of his army. The Hebrews, who weresettled in immense numbers in the province of Goshen, and whom Ani hadattached to his cause by remitting their task-work, were now drivento labor at the palaces and fortifications which Rameses had begun tobuild. 

At Tanis, too, the treaty of peace was signed and was presented toRameses inscribed on a silver tablet by Tarthisebu, the representativeof the Cheta king, in the name of his lord and master. 

Pentaur followed the king as soon as he had closed his mother's eyes, and accompanied her body to Heliopolis, there to have it embalmed; fromthence the mummy was to be sent to Thebes, and solemnly placed in thegrave of her ancestors. This duty of children towards their parents, and indeed all care for the dead, was regarded as so sacred by theEgyptians, that neither Pentaur nor Bent-Anat would have thought ofbeing united before it was accomplished. 

On the 21st day of the month Tybi, of the 21st year of the reign ofRameses, the day on which the peace was signed, the poet returned toTanis, sad at heart, for the old gardener, whom he had regarded andloved as his father, had died before his return home; the good old manhad not long survived the false intelligence of the death of the poet, whom he had not only loved but reverenced as a superior being bestowedupon his house as a special grace from the Gods. 

It was not till seven months after the fire at Pelusium that Pentaur'smarriage with Bent-Anat was solemnized in the palace of the Pharaohs atThebes; but time and the sorrows he had suffered had only united theirhearts more closely. She felt that though he was the stronger she wasthe giver and the helper, and realized with delight that like the sun, which when it rises invites a thousand flowers to open and unfold, theglow of her presence raised the poet's oppressed soul to fresh lifeand beauty. They had given each other up for lost through strife andsuffering, and now had found each other again; each knew how preciousthe other was. To make each other happy, and prove their affection, wasnow the aim of their lives, and as they each had proved that they prizedhonor and right-doing above happiness their union was a true marriage, ennobling and purifying their souls. She could share his deepestthoughts and his most difficult undertakings, and if their housewere filled with children she would know how to give him the fullestenjoyment of those small blessings which at the same time are thegreatest joys of life. 

Pentaur finding himself endowed by the king with superabundant wealth, gave up the inheritance of his fathers to his brother Horus, who wasraised to the rank of chief pioneer as a reward for his interpositionat the battle of Kadesh; Horus replaced the fallen cedar-trees which hadstood at the door of his house by masts of more moderate dimensions. 

The hapless Huni, under whose name Pentaur had been transferred to themines of Sinai, was released from the quarries of Chennu, and restoredto his children enriched by gifts from the poet. 

The Pharaoh fully recognized the splendid talents of his daughter'shusband; she to his latest days remained his favorite child, even afterhe had consolidated the peace by marrying the daughter of the Chetaking, and Pentaur became his most trusted adviser, and responsible forthe weightiest affairs in the state. 

Rameses learned from the papers found in Ani's tent, and from otherevidence which was only too abundant, that the superior of the House ofSeti, and with him the greater part of the priesthood, had for a longtime been making common cause with the traitor; in the first instancehe determined on the severest, nay bloodiest punishment, but he waspersuaded by Pentaur and by his son Chamus to assert and support theprinciples of his government by milder and yet thorough measures. Rameses desired to be a defender of religion--of the religion whichcould carry consolation into the life of the lowly and over-burdened, and give their existence a higher and fuller meaning--the religion whichto him, as king, appeared the indispensable means of keeping the grandsignificance of human life ever present to his mind--sacred as theinheritance of his fathers, and useful as the school where the people, who needed leading, might learn to follow and obey. 

But nevertheless no one, not even the priests, the guardians of souls, could be permitted to resist the laws of which he was the bulwark, to which he himself was subject, and which enjoined obedience to hisauthority; and before he left Tanis he had given Ameni and his followersto understand that he alone was master in Egypt. 

The God Seth, who had been honored by the Semite races since the time ofthe Hyksos, and whom they called upon under the name of Baal, had fromthe earliest times never been allowed a temple on the Nile, as being theGod of the stranger; but Rameses--in spite of the bold remonstrances ofthe priestly party who called themselves the 'true believers'--raiseda magnificent temple to this God in the city of Tanis to supply thereligious needs of the immigrant foreigners. In the same spiritof toleration he would not allow the worship of strange Gods to beinterfered with, though on the other hand he was jealous in honoringthe Egyptian Gods with unexampled liberality. He caused temples to beerected in most of the great cities of the kingdom, he added to thetemple of Ptah at Memphis, and erected immense colossi in front of itspylons in memory of his deliverance from the fire. 

 [One of these is still in existence. It lies on the ground among the ruins of ancient Memphis. ]

In the Necropolis of Thebes he had a splendid edifice constructed-whichto this day delights the beholder by the symmetry of its proportions inmemory of the hour when he escaped death as by a miracle; on its pylonhe caused the battle of Kadesh to be represented in beautiful picturesin relief, and there, as well as on the architrave of the greatbanqueting--hall, he had the history inscribed of the danger he had runwhen he stood "alone and no man with him!"

By his order Pentaur rewrote the song he had sung at Pelusium; it ispreserved in three temples, and, in fragments, on several papyrus-rollswhich can be made to complete each other. It was destined to become thenational epic--the Iliad of Egypt. 

Pentaur was commissioned to transfer the school of the House of Setito the new votive temple, which was called the House of Rameses, and arrange it on a different plan, for the Pharaoh felt that it wasrequisite to form a new order of priests, and to accustom the ministersof the Gods to subordinate their own designs to the laws of the country, and to the decrees of their guardian and ruler, the king. Pentaur wasmade the superior of the new college, and its library, which was called"the hospital for the soul, " was without an equal; in this academy, which was the prototype of the later-formed museum and library ofAlexandria, sages and poets grew up whose works endured for thousandsof years--and fragments of their writings have even come down to us. Themost famous are the hymns of Anana, Pentaur's favorite disciple, and thetale of the two Brothers, composed by Gagabu, the grandson of the oldProphet. 

Ameni did not remain in Thebes. Rameses had been informed of the way inwhich he had turned the death of the ram to account, and the use he hadmade of the heart, as he had supposed it, of the sacred animal, andhe translated him without depriving him of his dignity or revenues toMendes, the city of the holy rams in the Delta, where, as he observednot without satirical meaning, he would be particularly intimate withthese sacred beasts; in Mendes Ameni exerted great influence, and inspite of many differences of opinion which threatened to sever them, heand Pentaur remained fast friends to the day of his death. 

In the first court of the House of Rameses there stands--now brokenacross the middle--the wonder of the traveller, the grandest colossusin Egypt, made of the hardest granite, and exceeding even the well-knownstatue of Memnon in the extent of its base. It represents Rameses theGreat. Little Scherau, whom Pentaur had educated to be a sculptor, executed it, as well as many other statues of the great sovereign ofEgypt. 

A year after the burning of the pavilion at Pelusium Rameri sailed tothe land of the Danaids, was married to Uarda, and then remained in hiswife's native country, where, after the death of her grandfather, heruled over many islands of the Mediterranean and became the founder of agreat and famous race. Uarda's name was long held in tender remembranceby their subjects, for having grown up in misery she understood thesecret of alleviating sorrow and relieving want, and of doing good andgiving happiness without humiliating those she benefitted. THE END. 

 ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

 A dirty road serves when it makes for the goal Age when usually even bad liquor tastes of honey An admirer of the lovely color of his blue bruises Ardently they desire that which transcends sense Ask for what is feasible Bearers of ill ride faster than the messengers of weal Blossom of the thorny wreath of sorrow Called his daughter to wash his feet Colored cakes in the shape of beasts Deficient are as guilty in their eyes as the idle Desert is a wonderful physician for a sick soul Do not spoil the future for the sake of the present Drink of the joys of life thankfully, and in moderation Every misfortune brings its fellow with it Exhibit one's happiness in the streets, and conceal one's misery Eyes kind and frank, without tricks of glance For fear of the toothache, had his sound teeth drawn Hatred for all that hinders the growth of light Hatred between man and man He is clever and knows everything, but how silly he looks now He who looks for faith must give faith Her white cat was playing at her feet How easy it is to give wounds, and how hard it is to heal How tender is thy severity Human sacrifices, which had been introduced into Egypt by the Phoenicians I know that I am of use I have never deviated from the exact truth even in jest If it were right we should not want to hide ourselves Impartial looker-on sees clearer than the player It is not seeing, it is seeking that is delightful Judge only by appearances, and never enquire into the causes Kisra called wine the soap of sorrow Learn early to pass lightly over little things Learn to obey, that later you may know how to command Like the cackle of hens, which is peculiar to Eastern women Man has nothing harder to endure than uncertainty Many creditors are so many allies Medicines work harm as often as good Money is a pass-key that turns any lock No good excepting that from which we expect the worst No one so self-confident and insolent as just such an idiot None of us really know anything rightly Obstinacy--which he liked to call firm determination Often happens that apparent superiority does us damage One falsehood usually entails another One should give nothing up for lost excepting the dead Only the choice between lying and silence Our thinkers are no heroes, and our heroes are no sages Overbusy friends are more damaging than intelligent enemies Patronizing friendliness Prepare sorrow when we come into the world Principle of over-estimating the strength of our opponents Provide yourself with a self-devised ruler Refreshed by the whip of one of the horsemen Repugnance for the old laws began to take root in his heart Seditious words are like sparks, which are borne by the wind Successes, like misfortunes, never come singly The beginning of things is not more attractive The scholar's ears are at his back: when he is flogged The man within him, and not on the circumstances without The dressing and undressing of the holy images The experienced love to signify their superiority The mother of foresight looks backwards Think of his wife, not with affection only, but with pride Those whom we fear, says my uncle, we cannot love Thou canst say in words what we can only feel Thought that the insane were possessed by demons Title must not be a bill of fare Trustfulness is so dear, so essential to me Use words instead of swords, traps instead of lances We quarrel with no one more readily than with the benefactor Whether the form of our benevolence does more good or mischief Youth should be modest, and he was assertive