“What things are these?  Who is ruining the innocent child-like spirit of this highly favored youth?”

“He is ruining it himself,” replied Gagabu.  “He is putting aside the old law, 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, else he 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 man doubtfully.

“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 intimate friends.  Where was the leech while I was staying in Thebes?”

“He was taking care of the child hurt by Bent-Anat—­the child of the paraschites Pinem, and he stayed there three days,” replied Gagabu.

“And it was Pinem,” said Ameni, “that opened the body of Rui!  Now I know who 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 of to-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 is an ornament to the temple, for he has investigated many matters, and his dexterity is wonderful.”

“All that may be considered Ameni said, interrupting the old enough to think of at present.”

“And even more to consider later,” retorted Gagabu.  “We have entered on a dangerous path.  You know very well I am still hot-headed, though I am old in years, and alas! timidity was never my weakness; but Rameses is a powerful man, and duty compels me to ask you:  Is it mere hatred for the king that has led you to take these hasty and imprudent steps?”

“I have no hatred for Rameses,” answered Ameni gravely.  “If he did not wear the crown I could love him; I know him too, as well as if I were his brother, and value all that is great in him; nay I will admit that he is disfigured by no littleness.  If I did not know how strong the enemy is, we might try to overthrow him with smaller means.  You know as well as I do that he is our enemy.  Not yours, nor mine, nor the enemy of the Gods; but the enemy of the old and reverend ordinances by which this people and this country must be governed, and above all of those who are required to protect the wisdom of the fathers, and to point out the right way to the sovereign—­I mean the priesthood, whom it is my duty to lead, and for whose rights I will fight with every weapon of the spirit.  In