d the young pharaoh for the second time beheld
on the head of the high priest the golden serpent, the symbol of regal
authority.

Ramses grew pale from rage, and thought: "Shall I need to remove the
ureus and thy head at the same time?"

But he was silent, knowing that in that greatest of Egyptian temples
Herhor was lord, the equal of the gods, and a potentate perhaps greater
than the pharaoh.

During this time when the people filled the court, behind the purple
curtain dividing the rest of the temple from mortals were heard harps
and low singing. Ramses looked at the hall. A whole forest of mighty
columns covered from above to the bases with paintings, the mysterious
lighting, the ceiling far up near the sky somewhere, produced on him an
effect that was crushing.

"What does it signify," thought he, "to win a battle at the Soda Lakes?
To build an edifice like this is an exploit! But those priests built
it."

At that moment he felt the power of the priestly order. Could he, his
army, or even the whole people overturn that temple? And if it would be
difficult to deal with the edifice would it be easier to struggle with
its builders? The voice of the high priest Mefres roused him from
disagreeable meditations.

"Holiness," said the old man; "Thou most worthy confidant of the gods"
(here he bowed to Herhor); "ye nomarchs, scribes, warriors, and common
people, the most worthy high priest of this temple, Herhor, invites you
to judge, according to ancient custom, the earthly acts of the late
pharaoh, and to acknowledge or deny to him burial."

Anger rushed to the head of Ramses. "It was not enough that they
insulted him in that place, but in addition they dare to discuss the
deeds of his father, to decide as to his burial."

But he calmed himself; that was only a formality, as ancient, in fact,
as the Egyptian dynasties. It related not to judgment, but to praise of
the departed.

At a sign given by Herhor the high priests took their seats on stools.
But neither the nomarchs nor the generals surrounding the throne of
Ramses were seated; there were not even stools for them.

The pharaoh fixed in his memory that insult also; 'but he had so
mastered himself now that it was impossible to learn whether he noticed
the disregard shown those near him.

Meanwhile the holy Mefres dwelt on the life of the deceased pharaoh.

"Ramses XII," said he, "did not commit any of the forty-two sins, hence
the court of the gods prono