the
cottage, with its hippopotami and crocodiles. Ruth brightened up
greatly in her new surroundings, which to her were marvelous and
beautiful; and she soon caught something of the cheerfulness of her
young mistress, and the laughter of the two girls was often heard
rising from Mysa's inclosure at the further end of the quiet garden.

Shortly after the return from their visit to Lower Egypt an important
event took place, Chebron being initiated into the lowest grade of the
priesthood. His duties at first were slight; for aspirants to the
higher order, who were with scarce an exception the sons of the
superior priesthood, were not expected to perform any of the drudgery
that belonged properly to the work of the lower class of the order. It
was necessary to ascend step by step; but until they arrived at the
grade beyond which study and intelligence alone led to promotion,
their progress was rapid, and they were expected only to take part in
such services and ceremonies of the temple as required the attendance
of all attached to it.

His duties, therefore, interfered but little with his studies or
ordinary mode of life, and he was almost as much at home as before. He
could now, however, enter the temple at all hours, and had access to
the inner courts and chambers, the apartments where the sacred animals
were kept, and other places where none but the priests were permitted
to enter. He availed himself of this privilege chiefly of an evening.
All the great courts were open to the sky, and Chebron loved to roam
through them in the bright moonlight, when they were deserted by the
crowd of worshipers and all was still and silent. At that time the
massive columns, the majestic architecture, the strange figures of the
gods exercised an influence upon his imagination which was wanting in
the daytime. Upon the altars before the chief gods fire ever burned,
and in the light of the flickering flames the faces assumed life and
expression.

Now and then a priest in his white linen robe moved through the
deserted courts; but for the most part Chebron had undisturbed
possession, and was free to meditate without interruption. He found
that his mind was then attuned to a pitch of reverence and devotion
to the gods that it failed to attain when the sun was blazing down
upon the marble floor and the courts were alive with worshipers. Then,
strive as he would, he could not enter as he wanted into the spirit of
the scene. When he walked