me to
entreat you not to select me to declare this new marvel to the people."

Astonishment was stamped on the face of every member of the assembly.
Each looked at his neighbor, then at Pentaur, and at last enquiringly at
Ameni. The superior knew Pentaur, and saw that no mere whimsical fancy,
but some serious motive had given rise to this refusal. Horror, almost
aversion, had rung in his tone as he said the words 'new marvel.' He
doubted the genuineness of this divine manifestation!

Ameni gazed long and enquiringly into Pentaur's eyes, and then said:
"You are right, my friend. Before judgment has been passed on you,
before you are reinstated in your old position, your lips are not worthy
to announce this divine wonder to the multitude. Look into your own
soul, and teach the devout a horror of sin, and show them the way, which
you must now tread, of purification of the heart. I myself will announce
the miracle."

The white-robed audience hailed this decision of their master with
satisfaction. Ameni enjoined this thing on one, on another, that; and on
all, perfect silence as to the dream which he had related to them, and
then he dissolved the meeting. He begged only Gagabu and Pentaur to
remain.

As soon as they were alone Ameni asked the poet "Why did you refuse to
announce to the people the miracle, which has filled all the priests of
the Necropolis with joy?"

"Because thou hast taught me," replied Pentaur, "that truth is the
highest aim we can have, and that there is nothing higher."

"I tell you so again now," said Ameni. "And as you recognize this
doctrine, I ask you, in the name of the fair daughter of Ra. Do you
doubt the genuineness of the miracle that took place under our very
eyes?"

"I doubt it," replied Pentaur.

"Remain on the high stand-point of veracity," continued Ameni, "and
tell us further, that we may learn, what are the scruples that shake thy
faith?"

"I know," replied the poet with a dark expression, "that the heart which
the crowd will approach and bow to, before which even the Initiated
prostrate themselves as if it had been the incarnation of Ra, was torn
from the bleeding carcass of a common sheep, and smuggled into the
kanopus which contained the entrails of Rui."

Ameni drew back a step, and Gagabu cried out "Who says so? Who can prove
it? As I grow older I hear more and more frightful things!"

"I know it," said Pentaur decidedly. "But I can, not reveal the name of
him from wh