-priest, who at this
instant entered the hall, "Hold your tongue, and be not so bold as
to wag it against him who is our king, and wields the sceptre in this
kingdom as the Vicar of Ra."

The speaker bowed and was silent, then he and all the company rose to
greet 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 your
equanimity?"

"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 have
fallen victims in the fight or on the march. Rameses demands fresh
reinforcements. The pioneer, Paaker, has brought me a letter from our
brethren who accompany the king, and delivered a document from him
to the Regent, which contains the order to send to him fifty thousand
fighting men: and as the whole of the soldier-caste and all the
auxiliaries are already under arms, the bondmen of the temple, who till
our acres, are to be levied, and sent into Asia."

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

"What do you mean to do?"

"To prepare to obey the commands of the king," answered Ameni, "and to
call the heads of the temples of the city of Anion here without delay to
hold a council. Each must first in his holy of holies seek good counsel
of the Celestials. When we have come to a conclusion, we must next win
the 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. "But
why is our poet missing from our circle?"

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

Ameni nodded consent and exclaimed: "They must make haste. Paaker waits
for 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 from