The aristocracy, on its part, judged that the new pharaoh would, first of all, take from priests and return to nobles all lands which had become temple property, and would pay also the debts of nobles. It was said, too, that the coming pharaoh would govern independently, without a supreme priestly council.
Finally, in all social circles there reigned a conviction that Ramses, to secure the aid of Phoenicia, had had recourse to the goddess Istar, [Another form of Astarte.] to whom he showed marked devotion. In every case it was certain that the heir had once visited the temple of Istar, and had seen, in the night, certain miracles. Finally, rumors were current among Asiatics that Ramses had made immense presents to the temple, and in return had taken thence a priestess to confirm him in the faith of the goddess.
All these tidings were collected by the most worthy Sem and his assistants. The holy fathers, Mefres and Mentezufis, communicated to him other information which had come to them from Memphis:
The Chaldean priest and miracle-worker, Beroes, was received in the subterranean parts of the temple of Set by the priest Osochar, who, when giving his daughter in marriage two months later, had presented her with rich jewels and bought a good estate for her and her husband. And since Osochar had no considerable income, a suspicion rose that that priest had overheard the conversation of Beroes with the Egyptian priests, and had sold to Phoenicians, criminally, the secret of the treaty, and received a great estate from them.
When he heard this, the high priest Sem added,
"If the holy Beroes does, indeed, perform miracles, then ask him, first of all, if Osochar has betrayed the secret."
"They inquired of Beroes," said Mefres, "but the holy man answered that in that affair he preferred to be silent. He added, also, that even if some one had heard their conversation, and reported to Phoenicians, neither Egypt nor Chaldea would suffer any injury; and if they should find the guilty person, it would be proper to show him mercy."
"A holy man! Indeed, a holy man!" whispered Sem.
"And what wilt Thou say, worthiness," asked Mefres, "of the prince and the disturbances which his conduct has caused in the country?"
"I will say the same as Beroes: 'The heir does not cause harm to Egypt, so we should show him indulgence. '."