d the nomarch of Memphis. "The most worthy viceroy
has called the queen his consort. This intelligence is entirely new,
and, first of all it must be verified."

At a sign from Herhor the judge of Thebes drew out an act concluded two
days before between the most worthy high priest of Amon, San-Amen-
Herhor, and Queen Niort's, widow of Ramses XII, and mother of Ramses
XIII.

After this explanation came a grave-like silence. Herhor began again,

"Since my consort, who is the only heir to the throne, has abdicated,
the reign of the twentieth dynasty is ended; we must choose a new
sovereign.

"This sovereign," continued Herhor, "should be a man of ripe years,
energetic, and skilled in government. For this reason I advise you to
choose for the highest position."

"Herhor!" cried some one.

"The most famous Nitager, the leader of the eastern army," finished
Herhor.

Nitager sat a long time with closed eyes, smiling. At last he rose, and
said,

"Never will there be a lack of men eager for the title of pharaoh. We
have more of them perhaps than are needed. Luckily, the gods
themselves, in setting aside useless rivals, have indicated a man most
worthy of power, and it seems to me that I shall act wisely if, instead
of receiving the crown offered me graciously, I answer,

"May he live through eternity, his holiness, San-Amen-Herhor, the first
pharaoh of a new dynasty!"

Those present, with few exceptions, repeated the shout, and at the same
time the supreme judge brought on a golden tray two caps: the white one
of Upper, and the red one of Lower Egypt. One of these was taken by the
high priest of Osiris, the other by the high priest of Horus, and they
delivered them to Herhor, who, when he had kissed the golden serpent,
put them both on his head.

Then those present began the ceremony of offering homage, which lasted
a couple of hours. After that a proper act was written; those who took
part in the election placed their seals on it, and from that moment
San-Amen-Herhor was the real pharaoh, the lord of both worlds, also of
the life and death of his subjects.

Toward evening his holiness returned wearied to his chambers of a high
priest, where he found Pentuer, who had grown thin, and on whose
emaciated face weariness and sadness were evident.

When Pentuer prostrated himself the pharaoh raised him and said with a
smile,

"Thou didst not sign my election, Thou didst not give me homage, and I
fear that I shall ha