The white-robed audience hailed this decision of their master with
satisfaction. Ameni enjoined this thing on one, on another, that;
and on all, perfect silence as to the dream which he had related to them,
and then he dissolved the meeting. He begged only Gagabu and Pentaur to
remain.

As soon as they were alone Ameni asked the poet "Why did you refuse to
announce to the people the miracle, which has filled all the priests of
the Necropolis with joy?"

"Because thou hast taught me," replied Pentaur, "that truth is the
highest aim we can have, and that there is nothing higher."

"I tell you so again now," said Ameni. "And as you recognize this
doctrine, I ask you, in the name of the fair daughter of Ra. Do you
doubt the genuineness of the miracle that took place under our very
eyes?"

"I doubt it," replied Pentaur.

"Remain on the high stand-point of veracity," continued Ameni, "and tell
us further, that we may learn, what are the scruples that shake thy
faith?"

"I know," replied the poet with a dark expression, "that the heart which
the crowd will approach and bow to, before which even the Initiated
prostrate themselves as if it had been the incarnation of Ra, was torn
from the bleeding carcass of a common sheep, and smuggled into the
kanopus which contained the entrails of Rui."