Nebenchari was an Egyptian priest through and through; a member of that caste which never indulged in a jest, and never for a moment forgot to be dignified and solemn before the public; but when among their relations and their colleagues completely threw off this self-imposed restraint, and gave way at times even to exuberant mirth. Though he had known Phanes in Sais, he received him with cold politeness, and, after the first greeting was ended, told Hib to leave them alone. "I have come to you," said the Athenian, "to speak about some very important affairs." "With which I am already acquainted," was the Egyptian's curt reply. "I am inclined to doubt that," said Phanes with an incredulous smile. "You have been driven out of Egypt, persecuted and insulted by Psamtik, and you have come to Persia to enlist Cambyses as an instrument of revenge against my country." "You are mistaken. I have nothing against your country, but all the more against Amasis and his house. In Egypt the state and the king are one, as you very well know." "On the contrary, my own observations have led me to think that the priests considered themselves one with the state." "In that case you are better informed than I, who have always looked on the kings of Egypt as absolute. So they are; but only in proportion as they know how to emancipate themselves from the influence of your caste. --Amasis himself submits to the priests now." "Strange intelligence!" "With which, however, you have already long been made acquainted." "Is that your opinion?" "Certainly it is. And I know with still greater certainty that once--you hear me--once, he succeeded in bending the will of these rulers of his to his own." "I very seldom hear news from home, and do not understand what you are speaking of." "There I believe you, for if you knew what I meant and could stand there quietly without clenching your fist, you would be no better than a dog who only whimpers when he's kicked and licks the hand that torments him." The physician turned pale. "I know that Amasis has injured and insulted me," he said, "but at the same time I must tell you that revenge is far too sweet a morsel to be shared with a stranger." "Well said! As to my own revenge, however, I can only compare it to a vineyard where the grapes are so plentiful, that I am not able to gather them all myself." "And you have come hither to hire good laborers." "Quite right, and I do not even yet give up the hope of securing you to take a share in my vintage." "You are mistaken. My work is already done. The gods themselves have taken it in hand. Amasis has been severely enough punished for banishing me from country, friends and pupils into this unclean land." "You mean by his blindness perhaps?" "Possibly." "Then you have not heard that Petammon, one of your colleagues, has succeeded in cutting the skin, which covered the pupil of the eye and so restoring Amasis' sight?"