"In accordance with the will of his holiness, my father, and with the laws of Egypt, I take possession of government and will conduct it to the glory of the state and the happiness of the people."
He turned suddenly to Herhor and, looking him sharply in the eyes, inquired,
"On thy miter, worthiness, I see the golden serpent. Why hast Thou put that symbol of regal power on thy head?"
A deathlike silence settled on the assembly. The haughtiest man in Egypt had never dreamed that the young lord would begin rule by putting a question like that to the most powerful person in the state, more powerful, perhaps, than the late pharaoh.
But behind the young lord stood a number of generals; in the courtyard
glittered the bronze-covered regiments of the guard; and crossing the
Nile at that moment was an army wild from the triumph at the Soda
Lakes, and enamored of its leader.
The powerful Herhor grew pale as wax, and the voice could not issue from his straitened throat.
"I ask your worthiness," repeated the pharaoh, calmly, "by what right is the regal serpent on thy miter?"
"This is the miter of thy grandfather, the holy Amenhotep," answered Herhor, in a low voice. "The supreme council commanded me to wear it on occasions."
"My holy grandfather," replied the pharaoh, "was father of the queen, and in the way of favor he received the right to adorn his miter with the ureus. But, so far as is known to me, his sacred vestment is counted among the relics of the temple of Amon."
Herhor had recovered.