"What things are these? Who is ruining the innocent child-like spirit of
this highly favored youth?"

"He is ruining it himself," replied Gagabu. "He is putting aside the old
law, for he feels a new one growing up in his own breast."

"But the laws," exclaimed Ameni, "grow and spread like shadowy woods;
they are made by no one. I loved the poet, yet I must restrain him, else
he will break down all barriers, like the Nile when it swells too high.
And what he says of the miracle--"

"Did you devise it?"

"By the Holy One--no!" cried Ameni.

And yet Pentaur is sincere, and inclined to faith," said the old man
doubtfully.

"I know it," returned Ameni. "It happened as he said. But who did it,
and who told him of the shameful deed?"

Both the priests stood thoughtfully gazing at the floor.

Ameni first broke the silence.

"Pentaur came in with Nebsecht," he exclaimed, "and they are intimate
friends. Where was the leech while I was staying in Thebes?"

"He was taking care of the child hurt by Bent-Anat--the child of the
paraschites Pinem, and he stayed there three days," replied Gagabu.