people go who are unpleasant to the
servants of divinity." But this thought did not decrease his horror.

Leaving the narrow corridor full of smoke, the procession found itself
on an elevation beneath the open sky. Below was an immense court
surrounded on three sides by low buildings instead of a wall. From the
place where the priests halted was a kind of amphitheatre with five
broad platforms by which it was possible to pass along the whole court
or to descend to the bottom.

In the court no one was present, but certain people were looking out of
buildings.

The high priest Mefres, as chief dignitary in the assembly, presented
Pentuer to the viceroy. The mild face of the ascetic did not harmonize
with the horrors which had taken place in the corridor; so the prince
wondered. To say something, he said to Pentuer,

"It seems to me that I have met thee somewhere, pious father?"

"The past year at the maneuvers near Pi-Bailos. I was there with his
worthiness Herhor."

The resonant and calm voice of Pentuer arrested the prince. He had
heard that voice on some uncommon occasion. But where and when had he
heard it?

In every case the priest made an agreeable impression. If he could only
forget the cries of that man whom they had covered with boiling pitch!

"We may begin," said Mefres.

Pentuer went to the middle of the amphitheatre and clapped his hands.
From the low buildings a crowd of female dancers issued forth, and
priests came out with music, also with a small statue of the goddess
Hator. The musicians preceded, the dancers followed, performing a
sacred dance; finally the statue moved on surrounded by the smoke of
censers. In this way they went around the court and stopping after
every few steps, implored the divinity for a blessing, and asked evil
spirits to leave the enclosure, where there was to be a solemnity full
of secrets.

When the procession had returned to the buildings, Pentuer stepped
forward. Dignitaries present to the number of two or three hundred
gathered round him.

"By the will of his holiness the pharaoh," began Pentuer, "and with
consent of the supreme priestly power, we are to initiate the heir to
the throne, Ramses, into some details of life in Egypt, details known
only to the divinities who govern the country and the temples. I know,
worthy fathers, that each of you would enlighten the young prince
better in these things than I can; ye are full of wisdom, and the
goddess Mut speaks