and the solemn sweetness of their voices, as they rose and were re-echoed by the distant caverns, inspired Medora with feelings of devotion, and increased her desire to know more of the faith which was expressed in such a touching manner.

The psalmody was followed by the reading of short portions of the Gospels and Epistles, the presbyter pausing at intervals to give the congregation time for silent prayer and meditation. During this part of the service all remained standing, which was considered the most suitable and reverent posture in which to listen to the word of God; and some of the more lively and enthusiastic of the assembly stood with their arms extended in the form of a cross, in order to remind themselves and others more forcibly of Him who died upon the cross that they might live for ever.

The younger and least instructed of the congregation were then placed in order, and catechized by the presbyter on the principles of the Christian faith-a part of the service at which Marcella was well pleased that her daughter should be present, and to which she observed that Medora gave her fixed attention.

A short but very impressive address from Mandatus, and a special prayer for all present-whether believers or inquirers— concluded the service; and the congregation then quietly dispersed in different directions, and returned to their own homes; hoping that the darkness of the night would prevent any unpleasant observation being made as to their

movements.

On this subject Marcella felt little uneasiness; for she knew that her husband was engaged that evening at one of the political meetings, or clubs, which were then very common in

the large cities; and formed as great an attraction to the gentlemen of the fourth century as they do now to those of the nineteenth. As much party spirit was probably shown then as now; and as much animosity and ill-feeling frequently

arose.

Since Marcella had been induced to attend the secret meetings in the catacomb, she had rejoiced in the frequency of Sophis' visits to the building where he met his political friends and foes; for it left her time much more at her own disposal. Sophis was a stern man, and was very despotic at home. Still he was much attached to his wife, and placed the most entire confidence in her. She was allowed perfect liberty of action, and of opinion also; and though he had caused his children to be brought up in the religion of his Egyptian forefathers-very little of which he either believed or conformed to himself-he yet permitted his wife to worship what deities she pleased, always excepting that One Deity, before whom all the gods of the heathen must one day be cast down to the dust.

Of the religion of Jesus of Nazareth Sophis knew very little; and therefore, with most of his rank and his nation, he regarded his disciples as weak, deluded fanatics, who suffered hardship and persecution for a mere name; and even sacrificed life, with all its visible, tangible enjoyments, for a dream of future reward that would never be realized.

Sophis was well pleased that his son should embrace the sacerdotal profession, and dedicate himself to the service of Osiris; because he wished the old religion of Egypt to be maintained, and because Orestes was thus placed in a position of power and influence among his countrymen. But he had

not consented to Medora's becoming a priestess, because he wished her to cheer and adorn his home, and then to form a matrimonial connexion that should tend to the further exaltation of the family, and the strengthening of his own party.

The marriage of his eldest daughter-which took place many years before the commencement of our story-was one which had given both him and Marcella great displeasure, and caused them much sorrow. This marriage had been contracted when their daughter was residing with some relatives at a distance, and they had never seen her since. Where she dwelt, or whether she yet lived, they did not even know, or professed not to know. There was some mystery about her history and fate with which Sophis and his wife only were acquainted. He sternly forbad even Medora to mention her sister's name, or to make any inquiry respecting her, but required her to speak and think of her as dead.

Some circumstances connected with the marriage led Sophis to be doubly anxious that Medora-then a child—should be scrupulously brought up in the belief and practice of the Egyptian religion. She was therefore sent to Phila, to be educated under the care of a sister of his own, named Arsinoë, who bore rule in a sort of female ecclesiastical seminary on the sacred isle. There Orestes was also receiving his education in the sacerdotal college; and there he and his sister remained, with occasional visits to and from their parents, until Medora was considered fit to shine in the gay society of Alexandria, and her brother was so far initiated into the ancient mysteries of Egypt as to be admitted into the priestly order.

Both Orestes and Medora were devoted worshippers of the gods of their ancestors; and, while they rejected all the grosser