th gold and precious gems set upon festal
garments. While I was waiting old Bakenkhonsu hobbled towards me, the
crowd making way for him, and I could see that there was laughter in his
sunken eyes.

"We are ill-placed, Ana," he said. "Still if any of the many gods there
are in Egypt should chance to rain fires on Pharaoh, we shall be the
safer. Talking of gods," he went on in a whisper, "have you heard what
happened an hour ago in the temple of Ptah of Tanis whence I have just
come? Pharaoh and all the Blood-royal--save one--walked according to
custom before the statue of the god which, as you know, should bow its
head to show that he chooses and accepts the king. In front of Amenmeses
went the Princess Userti, and as she passed the head of the god bowed,
for I saw it, though all pretended that they did not see. Then came
Pharaoh and stood waiting, but it would not bow, though the priests
called in the old formula, 'The god greets the king.'

"At length he went on, looking as black as night, and others of the
blood of Rameses followed in their order. Last of all limped Saptah and,
behold! the god bowed again."

"How and why does it do these things?" I asked, "and at the wrong time?"

"Ask the priests, Ana, or Userti, or Saptah. Perhaps the divine neck
has not been oiled of late, or too much oiled, or too little oiled,
or prayers--or strings--may have gone wrong. Or Pharaoh may have been
niggard in his gifts to that college of the great god of his House. Who
am I that I should know the ways of gods? That in the temple where I
served at Thebes fifty years ago did not pretend to bow or to trouble
himself as to which of the royal race sat upon the throne. Hush! Here
comes Pharaoh."

Then in a splendid procession, surrounded by princes, councillors,
ladies, priests, and guards, Amenmeses and the Royal Wife, Urnure, a
large woman who walked awkwardly, entered the hall, a glittering band.
The high-priest, Roi, and the chancellor, Nehesi, received Pharaoh and
led him to his throne. The multitude prostrated itself, trumpets blew
and thrice the old salute of "Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!
Pharaoh!" was cried aloud.

Amenmeses rose and bowed, and I saw that his heavy face was troubled and
looked older. Then he swore some oath to gods and men which Roi dictated
to him, and before all the company put on the double crown and the
other emblems, and took in his hands the scourge and golden sickle. Next
homage was paid