"And Pentaur," he murmured, "the gardener's son! who is to refuse absolution to the king's daughter!" "Pentaur, the minister of the Gods--Pentaur, the priest--has not to do with the daughter of the king, but with the transgressor of the sacred institutions," replied Ameni gravely.

"Let Paaker know I wish to speak with him." The poet bowed low and quitted the room, the high priest muttered to himself: "He is not yet what he should be, and speech is of no effect with him." For a while he was silent, walking to and fro in meditation; then he said half aloud, "And the boy is destined to great things.

What gifts of the Gods doth he lack?
He has the faculty of learning--of thinking--of feeling--of winning all hearts, even mine.

He keeps himself undefiled and separate--" suddenly the prelate paused and struck his hand on the back of a chair that stood by him.

"I have it; he has not yet felt the fire of ambition.