By their wealth and numbers and learning they dominated all Egypt, more especially the Upper portion.

They were then secretly ready to make an effort for the achievement of their bold and long-considered design, that of transferring the governing power from a Kingship to a Hierarchy.

But King Antef had suspected some such movement, and had taken the precaution of securing to his daughter the allegiance of the army.

He had also had her taught statecraft, and had even made her learned in the lore of the very priests themselves.

He had used those of one cult against the other; each being hopeful of some present gain on its own part by the influence of the King, or of some ultimate gain from its own influence over his daughter.