, according as it
is received. I have not said it to the multitude, but to a discerning
brother. And even politically speaking--let him commit himself, if he be
really plotting rebellion, and then speak, and smite his Babel tower.'

'You think, then, that he does not know of Heraclian's defeat already?'

'If he does, he will keep it secret from the people; and our chances of
turning them suddenly will be nearly the same.'

'Good. After all, the existence of the Catholic Church in Alexandria
depends on this struggle, and it is well to be wary. Be it so. It is
well for me that I have you for an adviser.'

And thus Cyril, usually the most impatient and intractable of plotters,
gave in, as wise men should, to a wiser man than himself, and made up
his mind to keep the secret, and to command the monk to keep it also.

Philammon, after a sleepless night, and a welcome visit to the public
baths, which the Roman tyranny, wiser in its generation than modern
liberty, provided so liberally for its victims, set forth to the
Prefect's palace, and gave his message; but Orestes, who had been
of late astonishing the Alexandrian public by an unwonted display of
alacrity, was already in the adjoining Basilica. Thither the youth was
conducted by an apparitor, and led up the centre of the enormous hall,
gorgeous with frescoes and coloured marbles, and surrounded by aisles
and galleries, in which the inferior magistrates were hearing causes,
and doing such justice as the complicated technicalities of Roman law
chose to mete out. Through a crowd of anxious loungers the youth passed
to the apse of the upper end, in which the Prefect's throne stood empty,
and then turned into aside chamber, where he found himself alone with
the secretary, a portly Chaldee eunuch, with a sleek pale face, small
pig's eyes, and an enormous turban. The man of pen and paper took the
letter, opened it with solemn deliberation, and then, springing to
his feet, darted out of the room in most undignified haste, leaving
Philammon to wait and wonder. In half an hour he returned, his little
eyes growing big with some great idea.

'Youth! your star is in the ascendant; you are the fortunate bearer of
fortunate news! His Excellency himself commands your presence.' And the
two went out.

In another chamber, the door of which was guarded by armed men, Orestes
was walking up and down in high excitement, looking somewhat the worse
for the events of the past night, and mak