Thou pure and all-prevading Spirit, that dwellest in me, as I know by my horror of a lie, manifest Thyself in me--as light when I think, as mercy when I act, and when I speak, as truth--always as truth!" The poet spoke these words with absorbed fervor, and Nebsecht heard them as if they were speech from some distant and beautiful world.

He went affectionately up to his friend, and eagerly held out his hand.

Pentaur grasped it, pressed it warmly, and said: "That was a fearful moment! You do not know what Ameni has been to me, and now, now!" He hardly had ceased speaking when steps were heard approaching the physician's room, and a young priest requested the friends to appear at once in the meeting-room of the Initiated.

In a few moments they both entered the great hall, which was brilliantly lighted.
Not one of the chiefs of the House of Seti was absent.
Ameni sat on a raised seat at a long table; on his right hand was old Gagabu, on his left the third Prophet of the temple.

The principals of the different orders of priests had also found places at the table, and among them the chief of the haruspices, while the rest of the priests, all in snow-white linen robes, sat, with much dignity, in a large semicircle, two rows deep.