He rose from the ebony seat with lion's feet, on which he sat, and beckoned to a servant who squatted by one of the walls of the sitting-room.

He rose and without any word of command from his master, he silently and carefully placed on the high-priest's bare head a long and thick curled wig, [Egyptians belonging to the higher classes wore wigs on their shaven heads.

Several are preserved in museums.] and threw a leopard-skin, with its head and claws overlaid with gold-leaf, over his shoulders.

A second servant held a metal mirror before Ameni, in which he cast a look as he settled the panther-skin and head-gear.
A third servant was handing him the crosier, the insignia of his dignity as a prelate, when a priest entered and announced the scribe Pentaur.
Ameni nodded, and the young priest who had talked with the princess Bent-Anat at the temple-gate came into the room.
Pentaur knelt and kissed the hand of the prelate, who gave him his blessing, and in a clear sweet voice, and rather formal and unfamiliar language--as if he were reading rather than speaking, said: "Rise, my son; your visit will save me a walk at this untimely hour, since you can inform me of what disturbs the disciples in our temple.
Speak." "Little of consequence has occurred, holy father," replied Pentaur.

"Nor would I have disturbed thee at this hour, but that a quite unnecessary tumult has been raised by the youths; and that the princess Bent-Anat appeared in person to request the aid of a physician.