deem'st thyself a lost
man because the heavens prognosticated evil at thy birth; but take
comfort, Psamtik; I observed another sign in the heavens at that moment,
which escaped the notice of the astrologers. Thy horoscope was a
threatening, a very threatening one, but its omens may be averted, they
may . . ."

"O tell me, father, tell me how!"

"They must turn to good, if thou, forgetful of all else, canst live alone
to the gods, paying a ready obedience to the Divine voice audible to us
their priests alone in the innermost and holiest sanctuary."

"Father, I am ready to obey thy slightest word."

"The great goddess Neith, who rules in Sais, grant this, my son!"
answered the priest solemnly. "But now leave me alone," he continued
kindly, "lengthened devotions and the weight of years bring weariness. If
possible, delay the death of Phanes, I wish to speak with him before he
dies. Yet one more word. A troop of Ethiopians arrived yesterday. These
men cannot speak a word of Greek, and under a faithful leader, acquainted
with the Athenians and the locality, they would be the best agents for
getting rid of the doomed man, as their ignorance of the language and the
circumstances render treachery or gossip impossible. Before starting for
Naukratis, they must know nothing of the design of their journey; the
deed once accomplished, we can send them back to Kush.--[The Egyptian
name for Ethiopia.] Remember, a secret can never be too carefully kept!
Farewell." Psamtik had only left the room a few moments, when a young
priest entered, one of the king's attendants.

"Have I listened well, father?" he enquired of the old man.

"Perfectly, my son. Nothing of that which passed between Amasis and
Psamtik has escaped thine ears. May Isis preserve them long to thee!"

"Ah, father, a deaf man could have heard every word in the ante-chamber
to-day, for Amasis bellowed like an ox."

"The great Neith has smitten him with the lack of prudence, yet I command
thee to speak of the Pharaoh with more reverence. But now return, keep
thine eyes open and inform me at once if Amasis, as is possible, should
attempt to thwart the conspiracy against Phanes. Thou wilt certainly find
me here. Charge the attendants to admit no one, and to say I am at my
devotions in the Holy of holies. May the ineffable One protect thy
footsteps!"

[Isis, the wife or sister of Osiris, is the phenomena of nature, by
means of which the god is able to reveal hims