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.”

Ameni drew back a step, and Gagabu cried out “Who says so?  Who can prove it?  As I grow older I hear more and more frightful things!”

“I know it,” said Pentaur decidedly.  “But I can, not reveal the name of him from whom I learned it.”

“Then we may believe that you are mistaken, and that some impostor is fooling you.  We will enquire who has devised such a trick, and he shall be punished!  To scorn the voice of the Divinity is a sin, and he who lends his ear to a lie is far from the truth.  Sacred and thrice sacred is the heart, blind fool, that I purpose to-morrow to show to the people, and before which you yourself—­if not with good will, then by compulsion—­shall fall, prostrate in the dust.

“Go now, and reflect on the words with which you will stir the souls of the people to-morrow morning; but know one thing—­Truth has many forms, and her aspects are as manifold as those of the Godhead.  As the sun does not travel over a level plain or by a straight path—­as the stars follow a circuitous course, which we compare with the windings of the snake Mehen,—­so the elect, who look out over time and space, and on whom the conduct of human life devolves, are not only permitted, but commanded, to follow indirect ways in order to reach the highest aims, ways that you do not understand, and which you may fancy deviate widely from the path of truth.  You look only at to-day, we look forward to the morrow, and what we announce as truth you must needs believe.  And mark my words:  A lie stains the soul, but doubt eats into it.”

Ameni had spoken with strong excitement; when Pentaur had left the room, and he was alone with Gagabu, he exclaimed: