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SOPHIS REQUESTED TO UNDERTAKE AN IMPORTANT MISSION.-PAGE 142.

leave; and Muthis abruptly, and with some confusion of manner, entered on the purpose of his visit.

We will not follow him through all the details by which he sought to prove that he was himself an ill-used man, and that Sophis was grossly deceived both by his wife and daughter. Suffice it to say that the anger of Sophis was greatly aroused, and he expressed much gratitude towards his informant for the zeal and friendship which his conduct had manifested. Again he repeated his promise that Medora's hand should be the reward of Muthis, and he smiled blandly and contemptuously at the bare idea of her having a will of her own on such a subject. With regard to Marcella's having become a Christian, he looked more grave. He had little fear of Medora proving unfaithful to the gods of Egypt, to whom she had ever shown such extraordinary devotion. But he felt no such security in the faith of Marcella; for he regarded her national religion as nothing but a gross imitation of the ancient mysteries and allegorical representations of the old Egyptian creed and its appropriate ceremonies. We have said before that Sophis had strong prejudices against Christianity, which appeared to him a depraved and vulgar faith, and an exaltation of a crucified malefactor to the dignity of a god. Such a religion was unworthy his grave consideration, and altogether unfit to be introduced into his family. He therefore assured Muthis that he should inquire strictly into the truth of his suspicions, and take such measures as he might find necessary to put an entire stop to Marcella's proceedings.

An interview with his wife and daughter followed this conversation, and it resulted in Marcella's making a full avowal of

her belief in Christianity, and her firm determination never again to return to the worship of idols.

Sophis listened to her with calm displeasure, and contented himself with laying on her a positive command never again, on any pretence, to join any meeting of the Christians, and also to refrain from all attempts to shake the faith of Medora in the religion of her ancestors. More than that he did not require; for he really loved his wife, and had never sought to control her feelings and opinions on any subject.

With respect to Medora he was much more imperative. He commanded her to give up all inquiries into the doctrines of Christianity, and to devote herself more earnestly than ever to the service of Isis, and the study of such of the Egyptian mysteries as were suitable to the comprehension of a female. For the furtherance of this desirable object, he informed her that he should send her with her attendant, Pyrrha, immediately to Philæ, and place her again under the care of her aunt Arsinoë, and the instruction of her brother Orestes.

He also told her that he considered her as the affianced bride of Muthis; and that, on her return from the sacred island, he should require her to ratify the engagement which he had made for her, and to prepare for her nuptials with the wealthy and orthodox Egyptian.

Sophis refused to hear one word of remonstrance from either his wife or his daughter. He quietly informed them that his word was law, and must be obeyed; and he left them to ponder over the future, and to prepare for Medora's immediate removal to Philæ.

CHAPTER XVII.

GAIN we must introduce our readers into the luxurious apartment which Sophis had fitted up with lavish expense and care for the especial comfort of his wife; and where she had passed many days of happiness and contentment, when her mind was unawakened to the fallacy of her religious belief, and when she was satisfied with the pleasures, and the hopes, and the pursuits of this passing world.

Since those days of ignorance had gone by for ever, and brighter prospects had opened to her soul, Marcella had enjoyed some hours of great spiritual joy in her private apartment, and also had experienced many conflicts, and gone through many trying periods of fear and depression, and of anxious thought for those most dear to her, as well as for herself.

In that chamber Marcella had learned to pray; and in prayer she had found her best strength and consolation. She had also there studied a portion of the New Testament, which had been given to her as a sacred treasure and a parting gift by one of her Greek Christian friends, when she returned to her native land. Such was her occupation on the evening of a very sultry day in the end of July, as she reclined on a richly carved couch near an open window which overlooked the gay and fragrant garden. Marcella was alone, for she had dismissed her attendants; and no sound broke the stillness save the gentle and soothing

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