his sickness, and to whom you gave aid and comfort, and kind words. He has never forgotten you; and he told his wife that it was a sore trial of his obedience to be commanded to lay hands on a sister of yours, even though she might be a Christian. I believe he did not dare to bid his wife give any word of warning; but she guessed his wishes, and she obeyed them."

CHAPTER XXIV.

EDORA continued to question Pyrrha, until she had

learned all that her faithful old friend had to tell; and

M

all the while she was pondering within herself how it would be possible to avert the threatened danger.

The only plan which she could devise was to gain over the man who felt himself so much indebted to her; and, by promising him a large reward, to induce him to assist in their escape. With this view Medora desired her nurse to return to Yanina, and entreat her to come to the abbess' dwelling without loss of time.

Then she prepared to return to Claudia, and inform her of what had occurred. As she turned away from Pyrrha, a deep sigh escaped her, and she said, in a tone almost of despair,— "Would to God I could also escape!"

“Has Medora prayed to her new God to help her?" inquired Pyrrha, who knew all that had passed in the mind of her mistress, and who had dutifully followed her step by step, in her way from heathenism to Christianity.

Medora paused, and looked at Pyrrha with more of hope and confidence as she replied,

"I have prayed, and I know that my prayer is heard. I will hope, Pyrrha; yes, I will hope. Now we must use all our own energies, and trust to the Lord to bless them.”

When Medora re-entered the sitting-room she found both Alypius and Orestes there. They were conversing with the abbess on the proposed journey on the morrow, while Claudia sat apart, silent and dejected.

It seemed long before Medora could with safety make any sign to her sister, and she knew that every moment was of consequence. At length she made some pretext for leaving the apartment, and by a significant glance drew Claudia after her. The story of danger was soon told, and Claudia's first impulse was to return at once to Orestes, and tell him of the cruel conspiracy. This would also have been Medora's wish, had she not had a hope of leaving the island with her sister. She felt confident that Orestes would never join in the scheme of his brethren, and that he would at least connive at the escape of Claudia and Alypius, even if he took no active part in it. But she also knew that he would effectually oppose her own plan; and that, when once her friends were gone, her own release would be hopeless, except on terms which she was resolved never to agree to. Claudia saw all this in a moment, and perceived that secresy and dispatch were necessary.

Yanina soon appeared, and she entered warmly into all that was proposed to her. Her gratitude was as lively as her husband's; and she also had wishes of her own that led her to espouse the cause of the sisters with double zeal and energy. Yanina earnestly desired to leave the island, which was to her a gloomy prison, and to return to the busy and active life which she had formerly led at Alexandria, before her husband had been persuaded to enter the temple service at Philæ. If Indah could be persuaded to assist in the escape of the three

young people, and to share their flight, her long-cherished object would be gained. Indeed, if Indah consented to any part of the proposed plan, he must agree to all; for it would be impossible for him to conceal his share in the escape of their intended victims from the priests, and equally impossible to avert from himself their consequent vengeance.

Very readily Yanina set off in quest of her husband; and she was empowered to offer him so liberal a reward for his services as appeared to her quite irresistible, and more than sufficient to make up for any losses which his sudden departure might bring upon him.

Meanwhile it was necessary that Alypius should be made aware of the new arrangements and their cause. But this was not easily effected. Orestes seemed inclined to remain all the evening at his aunt's residence, and Arsinoë was peculiarly lively and vigilant. The sun set, and a soft gloom fell on all within and without. Happily the abbess did not order her attendants to light the quaint Egyptian lamps which decorated the apartment; but she requested Medora to sing to her cithara or guitar, as she wished her sister to hear what great proficiency she had made in this accomplishment.

It was a trying request to Medora, but she instantly complied; and while, with a beating heart and quivering lips, she sang a slow and plaintive air, Claudia softly drew near to Alypius, and startled him from his wrapt attention and his melancholy musing by whispering in his ear,—

"Leave the room the moment this song is ended, and wait for me at the last arch of the corridor. If I do not soon join you, seek for Pyrrha, and listen to all she has

to tell you; then act as you see best.

Time is very

Then she approached Medora, and, with as calm a manner as she could command, she spoke to her of her music, and of her home at Alexandria, and of all that she should have to tell their mother of her meeting with her beloved sister.

Meanwhile Alypius had hurried from the apartment, and without waiting for Claudia to follow him, he had proceeded to Pyrrha's room, where he found her in deep conference with

Yanina.

Rapidly Pyrrha repeated to him all that she had told to Claudia; and she then informed him that Medora's offer to Yanina's husband had proved tempting enough to induce him to abandon his present position, and share in the projected flight.

While she was detailing to him the plan which Indah had confided to his wife, as the best that he could devise for effecting the desired escape, Claudia joined the little conclave, and listened eagerly to all that had been so cleverly arranged.

"And now for the execution, Alypius," she said. moment is to be wasted in our preparations."

"Not one

"And is Medora to be left alone among these fanatics ?" asked Alypius, sadly.

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No; that shall not be," replied Claudia, firmly and decidedly. "She is ready to depart with us. and to share our dangers, as "—she added in a whisper-" she shares our faith. We will not leave her here, where she could no longer be safe; for she will never again take any part in the worship of the gods of Phila."

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