oing in the
first chariot, and Tua, attended by Abi's eldest daughter, a round-eyed
lady much older than herself, in the second. Next came the office of
the priests of Amen, over which Neter-Tua as daughter of Amen and
high-priestess, must preside, to dedicate the temple to the glory of the
god. Then the foundation deposit of little vases of offerings and models
of workmen's tools, and a ring drawn from Pharaoh's hand engraved with
his royal name, were blessed and set by the masons in hollows prepared
for them, and the two great corner-stones let down, hiding them for
ever, and declared respectively by Pharaoh and by Neter-Tua, Morning
Star of Amen, Joint Sovereign of Egypt, to be well and truly laid.

Afterwards architects, those who "drew the line," exhibited plans of the
temple, and received gifts from Pharaoh, and when these things were done
came the mid-day feast and speeches.

At length all was over, and the great procession returned by another
route to the temple of Sekhet, where Pharaoh lodged, a very tedious
journey in the hot sun, since it involved a circuit of the endless walls
of Memphis, with stoppages before all the temples of the gods, at each
of which Pharaoh must make offerings. Nor, weary as he was, might he
rest, for in the outer court of the old shrine thrones had been set up
and seated on them he and Tua must hear petitions till sunset and give
judgment, or postpone them for further consideration.

At last there came to an end, but, as Pharaoh, tired out, rose from his
throne, Abi, his brother, who all this time had not left them, said that
he also had a private petition to prefer. So they went into an inner
court that had been a sanctuary, and sat down again, there being present
besides the scribes only Pharaoh, the Queen, some councillors, Mermes,
captain of the guard, and certain women of the royal household,
among them Asti, the Queen's nurse, and Merytra, Pharaoh's favourite
attendant. With Abi were his astrologer, Kaku, his two eldest sons, and
a few of the great officers of his government, also the high-priests of
the temples of Memphis, and three powerful chiefs of the Desert tribes.

"What is your prayer, my brother?" asked Pharaoh, as soon as the doors
were closed.

"A great one, your Majesties," answered the Prince, prostrating himself,
"which for the good of Egypt, and for your own good, and for my good,
who reverence you as a loyal subject, I pray that you will be pleased to
grant.