Once more the word to "halt" was given, and as the guard perceived the glare of torches in the direction where the dogs were barking loudest, they hurried forward and came up with the author of the disturbance near the Pylon of the temple erected by Seti I., the deceased father of the reigning King Rameses II.
[The two pyramidal towers joined by a gateway which formed the entrance to an Egyptian temple were called the Pylon.] The moon was up, and her pale light flooded the stately structure, while the walls glowed with the ruddy smoky light of the torches which flared in the hands of black attendants.
A man of sturdy build, in sumptuous dress, was knocking at the brass-covered temple door with the metal handle of a whip, so violently that the blows rang far and loud through the night.

Near him stood a litter, and a chariot, to which were harnessed two fine horses.

In the litter sat a young woman, and in the carriage, next to the driver, was the tall figure of a lady.

Several men of the upper classes and many servants stood around the litter and the chariot.

Few words were exchanged; the whole attention of the strangely lighted groups seemed concentrated on the temple-gate.