etmeats, oranges and pomegranates "for the
children at home," and easily consoled Dada for the loss of her shoes. He
would lead the ass and she should ride. She covered her face with a veil,
and her little feet could be hidden under her dress. When they reached
his house he would at once have "a sweet little pair of sandals" made for
her by the shoemaker who worked for the wife of the Comes and the
daughters of the Alabarch--[The chief of the Jewish colony in
Alexandria.]--These preparations and the start only took a few minutes;
and their rapid search and broken conversation caused so much absurd
confusion that Dada had quite recovered her spirits and laughed merrily
as she tripped bare-foot across the strand. She sprang gaily on to the
little donkey and as they made their way along the road, the basket
containing her small wardrobe placed in front of her on the ass's
shoulders, she remarked that she should be mistaken for the young wife of
a shabby old husband, returning from market with a load of provisions.

She was delighted to think of what Herse's face would be when, on her
return home, she should discover that the prisoner could make her escape
even without shoes.

"Let her have a good hunt for me!" she cried quite enchanted. "Why should
I always be supposed to be ready for folly and wickedness! But one thing
I warn you: If I am not comfortable and happy with you, and if I do not
like the parts you want me to fill, we part as quickly as we have come
together.--Why are you taking me through all these dirty alleys? I want
to ride through the main streets and see what is going on." But Medius
would not agree to this, for in the great arteries of the town there were
excitement and tumult, and they might think themselves fortunate if they
reached his house unmolested.

He lived in a little square, between the Greek quarter and Rhacotis where
the Egyptians lived, and his house, which was exactly opposite the church
of St. Marcus, accommodated Medius himself, his wife, his widowed
daughter and her five children, besides being crammed from top to bottom
with all sorts of strange properties, standing or hanging in every
available space. Dada's curiosity had no rest, and by the time she had
spent a few hours in the house her host's pretty little grandchildren
were clinging to her with devoted affection.

Agne had not been so fortunate as to find a refuge so easily. With no
escort, unveiled, and left entirely to her own