The little troop had reached the high dyke which divided the west bank of
the Nile from a branch canal, and looked from thence over the plain as
far as the river and to the north of the Necropolis. 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. The darkness concealed the features of individuals, but
the mingled light of the moon and the torches was enough to reveal to the
gate-keeper, who looked down on the party from a tower of the Pylon, that
it was composed of persons of the highest rank; nay, perhaps of the royal
family.