re the bridegroom and bride might pass days of
happiness hidden from human eye, and cut off, as it were, from the
world about them.

In that quiet corner people showed themselves so rarely that even birds
did not flee before them. When the young couple and the guests found
themselves in this new dwelling the final ceremony of marriage
followed:

Tutmosis took Hebron by the hand and led her to a fire burning before a
statue of Isis; then Mefres poured a spoonful of holy water on the
lady's head; Hebron touched the fire with her hand, while Tutmosis
divided a morsel of bread with her and placed his own ring on her
finger in sign that from that time forth she was mistress of his land,
his servants, his slaves and cattle.

Meanwhile the priests sang wedding hymns and bore the statue of the
divine Isis through the whole house; and priestesses performed sacred
dances.

The day ended with spectacles and a great feast, during which all
noticed that Hebron accompanied the pharaoh continually, and that
Tutmosis kept at a distance from her, and simply entertained guests at
the wedding.

When the stars had risen the holy Herhor left the feast, and soon after
some of the highest dignitaries slipped out also. About midnight the
following worthy persons met in a subterranean chamber of the temple of
Amon: the high priests Herhor, Mefres, and Mentezufis, the chief judge
of Thebes, also the chiefs of the provinces of Abs, Horti, and Emsuchs.

Mentezufis looked around among the great columns, closed the door,
quenched the torches, and in that lower chamber there remained only one
light, that which burned before a statue of Horus. The dignitaries sat
down on three stone benches.

"If I were commanded to describe the character of Ramses XIII," said
the nomarch of Abs, "I should be unable to do so."

"He is a maniac!" said Mefres.

"I do not know that he is a maniac," answered Herhor, "but he is very
dangerous in every case. Already Assyria has reminded us twice of the
last treaty, and is beginning, I hear, to be alarmed at the arming of
Egypt."

"That is of less importance," said Mefres; "there is something worse,
for this godless man is thinking to violate the treasure of the
labyrinth."

"But I should consider," said the nomarch of Emsuch, "that his promises
to the people are the worst. Our income and that of the state will be
shattered if the common people are idle one day in seven. But if the
pharaoh gives them land in