"Would no danger come of that to Egypt?"
"None. Four hundred years ago the pharaoh, Amenhotep IV. overturned the power of priests by establishing the faith in one god, Re Harmachis. It is understandable that in those conditions he took treasures from the temples of the other gods. And at that time neither the people, nor the army, nor the nobility took part with the priesthood. What would the case be today when the old faith is greatly weakened?"
"Who assisted Amenhotep?" inquired Ramses.
"A simple priest, Ey."
"But who, on the death of Amenhotep, became his heir?" asked Ramses, looking quickly into the eyes of the priest.
Samentu answered, calmly,
"Events show that Amenhotep was incompetent, more occupied in honoring
Re than in governing Egypt."
"Indeed, Thou art a real sage!" said Ramses.
"At thy service, holiness."
"I appoint thee my counselor," said the pharaoh. "In that case Thou mayst visit me in secret, and Thou wilt dwell with me."