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"What am I to do?" "One thing!" exclaimed Antefa. "Find Lykon, prove that Mefres and Herhor secreted him, and ordered him to counterfeit the pharaoh as insane. Thou must do this, if Thou wish to keep the favor of thy sovereign. Proofs as many proofs as possible!
Both dignitaries consented, and the nomarch exhibited so much piety that the prince was astonished. When Ranuzer left the company with obeisances, Ramses said to the priest, "Since with me, holy prophet, Thou takest the place of the most venerable Herhor, I beg thee to explain one thing which fills my heart with anxiety ." "Shall I be able to explain?" asked the prophet.
"But separated mildly; is that not the way?" asked the mother. "In the mildest way possible and the simplest, but separation is imperative. It seemed to me," continued the high priest, as if to himself, "that I foresaw everything. Everything save an action for blasphemy, which threatens the heir while he is with that strange woman." Herhor thought awhile, and added, "Yes, worthy lady!
"I bring you great words from our common fatherland, which is Wisdom," said Beroes. "Be pleased to listen and act as is needful." At a sign from Herhor, Pentuer withdrew to the rear of the cave and brought out three armchairs of light wood for his superiors, and a low stool for his own use. He seated himself near the lamp, and took from his bosom a small dagger and wax-covered tablets.
On one of these Ramses took his place surrounded by nomarchs and generals, on the other sat Herhor surrounded by the priesthood. Then the high priest Mefres gave Herhor the miter of Amenhotep and the young pharaoh for the second time beheld on the head of the high priest the golden serpent, the symbol of regal authority.
He turned suddenly to Herhor and, looking him sharply in the eyes, inquired, "On thy miter, worthiness, I see the golden serpent. Why hast Thou put that symbol of regal power on thy head?" A deathlike silence settled on the assembly.
The military profession and affairs of state do not permit me to occupy myself with the ceremonies of our holy religion, so I must appoint a substitute." While speaking he looked around at the men assembled. On the left of Herhor stood the holy Sem. Ramses glanced into his mild and honest face and inquired suddenly, "Who and what art thou, worthiness?"
"Why didst Thou confide to Phoenicians a great secret of the state?" inquired Ramses. "Because I wished to prevent a shameful treaty which was as harmful to us as to Phoenicia." "Thou mightst have forewarned some Egyptian dignitary." "Whom?" inquired the priest. "Men who were powerless before Herhor; or who would complain of me to him and expose me to death and tortures?
The marriage ceremony took place some days later. To Antefa's palace went the high priests Herhor and Mefres, the nomarchs of the neighboring provinces, and the chief officials of Thebes. Later appeared Tutmosis on a two-wheeled chariot, attended by officers of the guard, and finally his holiness, the pharaoh.
"May the gods bless thee, holiness," said Herhor. "I will be sincere. My divine father, because of age, illness, and perhaps priestly occupations, could not devote so much time to affairs of state as I can. I am young, in health, free, hence I wish to rule, myself, and will rule. As a leader must direct his army on his own responsibility and according to his own plan, so shall I direct the state.
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