superstitions which so grievously defiled the ancient religion, they firmly believed in the existence of one true God, who had delegated his power and his various attributes to eight inferior gods; of whom Neph, or the Spirit of God; Osiris, or Pthah, the creative power of God, also the Lord of Truth; and Amun, or Jupiter, were the chief.

In his mysterious character, Osiris was the greatest of the Egyptian gods—after him who was called the king of the gods -and he was generally represented seated on a throne with Isis, and attended by his son Horus, whose office it was to introduce the dead into his presence, to receive their sentence.

From Orestes, Medora acquired much knowledge of the higher mysteries of religion; and also some acquaintance with the secrets of priestcraft, which were not usually permitted to females, and from which the lower orders of both sexes were carefully excluded.

To Isis-the sister and wife of Osiris-Medora paid especial honours, as we have already said; and to the moon, as one of her emblems, and to the star Sirius, as the reputed abode of her disembodied spirit, she looked up with adoration and delight, as the visible representation of the great goddess.

When residing at Alexandria, she worshipped her favourite divinity in the temple of Serapis. But she loved best to serve her in the temples at Philæ, the beauty of which we shall byand-bye have occasion more particularly to describe. There was also one drawback to her satisfaction in attending the religious ceremonies that were celebrated in the temple of Serapis; and that was the constant presence of Muthis, whose attentions were always disagreeable to her, and from whom she

shrank the more because she knew that her father favoured his suit, and desired her to become his wife. The only attraction which he had ever possessed in her eyes, was his being a firm upholder of the ancient gods of Egypt; but this was altogether counteracted by his unpleasing manners, and the pride and selfsufficiency of his character. It was her determination never to marry any one whose religion was not the same as her own; but she was equally resolved to remain single all her life rather than unite herself to one whom she could neither esteem nor love.

Gladly would she have altogether avoided the society of Muthis; and, as much as possible, she did so, both in her father's house and elsewhere. But Muthis had assumed a right to take his place near her in the great temple, and to attend her and Pyrrha from thence to their home; and as this was continued with her father's knowledge and sanction, she had no power to prevent it.

It might be that this fact made Medora more willing to listen to all that her mother told her of the Christian place of worship, and more ready to accompany her on the occasion which we have just related; as she thereby avoided encountering Muthis at the temple, where a great sacrifice was that evening to be offered up to the god Serapis, to whom the building was more especially dedicated. Had it been to Isis that the offerings were to have been made, she would hardly have stayed away; but as it was, she gladly took the opportunity of gratifying her curiosity respecting the worship of the followers of Jesus, for which Marcella had abandoned the deities of her own family and nation.

CHAPTER XII.

HILE we have thus endeavoured to make our readers acquainted with the feelings and character of some of the individuals whose story we are telling, Marcella and her daughter, with Justin and Pyrrha, were swiftly but silently pursuing their way along the beach and across the plain, and were approaching the narrow way which would lead them into the open streets of the city.

Hitherto they had met few passengers, and those few had apparently taken no notice of them; but just as they were about to enter the lane, which was thickly overhung with trees, they observed the figure of a man emerge from the shadow, and come directly towards them. Medora shrank behind her mother; and Pyrrha, who feared nothing except for her young mistress, instantly went forward and helped to conceal her from the stranger.

He did not, however, appear to be at all disconcerted; for he walked quietly up to Marcella, and in a voice which caused Medora both surprise and fear-for she recognised it as that of Muthis-he said:

"I missed Medora from her place in the great temple this evening; and as she is the being who rules my destiny, and at whose shrine I worship, I ventured to seek her in her home. There I heard that she had dutifully accompanied you, Mar

cella, in a walk by the sea-side. It seemed a late hour for such an expedition; and as neither moon or stars are visible—either for Medora to pour forth her adoration to as the emblems of her goddess, or to light her steps homewards-I presumed to come this way to offer my services as her escort."

There was something sarcastic in the tone of Muthis that excited both alarm and indignation in the breast of Medora; but she kept silence, and her mother replied, rather proudly: "I am sorry you should think any further escort necessary than that which I have provided for my daughter. She is quite safe under my protection and that of our attendants."

I saw your own servant at your house, and he it was who told me in what direction you were gone. Now," he added, glancing towards Justin, "I see you are attended by a stranger."

"By one on whom I can depend," said Marcella, coldly, " and therefore I need not give you any further trouble. Allow me to thank you for your attention, and to wish you good night."

"Does Sophis know that you are fond of evening walks by the sea-side ?" inquired Muthis, still keeping his place in front of Marcella, and thus preventing her from advancing on her way. "And does he know that the plain you have just crossed is full of ancient sepulchres, and that there are dangerous openings into dark and gloomy catacombs, which may be frequented by robbers, or by persons still more to be feared ?"

Muthis laid a peculiar emphasis on the last few words, and then he paused, as if to observe their effect on Marcella. She made no reply: she felt that there was a deeper meaning in the questions of Muthis than the words expressed, and she

feared to show either her anger or her suspicions. She had never liked the Egyptian; and it had only been in accordance with her husband's wishes, and from a consideration of the friendship which her son entertained for him, that Muthis had been admitted to her house on terms of intimacy. She knew his influence with Sophis, and she dreaded that eventually Medora would be either persuaded or compelled to accept him as a husband. Of all the inhabitants of Alexandria there was therefore not one whom she would not have preferred to have met at this particular juncture. She knew not what to reply, so she kept silence.

After a pause, during which Marcella knew that the dark eyes of Muthis were fixed on her countenance; and—even in the evening gloom, were reading its varied expression-the wily Egyptian continued:

"Might it not be an act of kindness to my excellent friend, and also to his wife and daughter, if I were to give him a hint of the dangers to which those most dear to him are exposed, by indulging their tastes for late evening rambles in desolate and secluded places? I would not willingly omit anything in my power to preserve the lovely and unsuspicious Medora, and you, her excellent mother, from peril of any kind,-and more especially of that kind which is most to be dreaded in the plain which you have just crossed, and among the ruins and caves which are there so abundant."

The spirit of Marcella was roused by the insinuations and the malicious manner of Muthis, and she answered proudly

"I can inform my husband when I find either my daughter or myself threatened with any peril. We are the best judges