ith
my influence could have secured that Plexo, as his son-in-law, should
succeed, rather than that shallow-brained fool, Neco. He has refused
the offer, and he must bear the consequences. I have been too patient.
I will be so no longer, but will act. I have a strong party among the
upper priesthood who have long been of my opinion that Ameres is a
disgrace to our caste and a danger to our religion. They will join me
heart and soul, for they feel with me that his position as high priest
is an outrage to the gods. Ask me no questions, Nicotis, but be
assured that my promises shall be kept. I will be high priest; Plexo
shall marry this child he fancies, for his doing so will not only
strengthen my position, but render his own succession secure, by
silencing those who might at my death seek to bring back the
succession to Neco."

"That is well, Ptylus. I have long wondered that you were content to
be lorded over by Ameres. If I can aid you in any way be sure that I
will do so. By the way, Amense invited us to a banquet she is about to
give next week. Shall we accept the invitation?"

"Certainly. We must not show that we are in any way offended at what
has passed. As far as Ameres himself is concerned it matters not, for
the man has so good an opinion of himself that nothing could persuade
him that he has enemies; but it would not do, in view of what I have
resolved upon, that any other should entertain the slightest suspicion
that there exists any ill-feeling between us."

Great preparations were made by Amense for the banquet on the
following week, for she had resolved that this should completely
eclipse the entertainments of Nicotis. Ameres had, as usual, left
everything in her hands, and she spared no expense. For a day or two
previous large supplies of food arrived from the farm and from the
markets in the city; and early on the morning of the entertainment a
host of professional cooks arrived to prepare the dinner. The head
cooks superintended their labors. The meat consisted of beef and
goose, ibex, gazelle, and oryx; for although large flocks of sheep
were kept for their wool, the flesh was not eaten by the Egyptians.
There were, besides, great numbers of ducks, quails, and other small
fowl. The chief cooks superintended the cutting up of the meat and the
selection of the different joints for boiling or roasting. One servant
worked with his feet a bellows, raising the fire to the required heat;
another skimmed t