Five days
before, the ceremony of installation had been held for the murket and
the cup-bearer and for four days thereafter the new officers passed
through initiatory formalities. But on the fifth day the rites of
investiture had been brought to an end, and Mentu and Nechutes entered
on the routine of service.
To Mentu fell the dignified congratulations of his own world of sedate
old nobles and stately women. But Nechutes was younger and well
beloved by youthful Memphis, so on the night of the fifth day, the
house of Senci was aglow and in her banquet-room there was much young
revel in his honor.
Aromatic torches flaring in sconces lighted the friezes of lotus, the
painted paneling on the walls, and the clustered pillars that upheld
the ceiling of the chamber. The tables had been removed; the musicians
and tumblers common to such occasions were not present, for the rout
was small and sufficient unto itself for entertainment.
Gathered about a central figure, which must needs be the one of highest
rank--and in this instance it was the crown prince--were the young
guests. They were noblemen and gentlewomen of Memphis, freed for an
evening from the restraint of pretentious affairs and spared the
awesome repression of potentates and monitors.
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