vestibule--the
narthex--and the body of the church, a very long hall, with a flat roof
ceiled with stained wood and supported on a double row of quite simple
columns. This space was divided into two parts by a screen of pierced
work; the innermost portion had a raised floor or podium, on which stood
a table with chairs placed round it in a semicircle. The centre seat
was higher and more richly decorated than the others. These chairs were
unoccupied; a few deacons in 'talares' of light-colored brocade were
busied about the table.

In the middle of the vestibule there was a small tank; here a number
of penitents had collected who, with their flayed ribs and abject
lamentations, offered a more melancholy spectacle than even the
terrified crowd whom Dada had seen the day before, gathered round the
temple of Isis. Indeed, site would have withdrawn at once but that
Papias dragged her forward, and when she had passed through the great
door into the nave she breathed a sigh of relief. A soothing sense
of respite came over her, such as she had rarely felt; for the lofty
building, which was only half full, was deliciously cool and the subdued
light was restful to her eyes. The slight perfume of incense and the
sober singing of the assembled worshippers were soothing to her senses,
and, as she took a seat on one of the benches, she felt sheltered and
safe.

The old church struck her as a home of perfect peace; in all the city,
she thought, there could hardly be another spot where she might rest so
quietly and contentedly. So for some little time she gave herself
up, body and soul, to the refreshing influences of the coolness, the
solemnity, the fragrance and the music; but presently her attention was
attracted to two women in the seats just in front of her.

One of them, who had a child on her arm, whispered to her neighbor:

"You here, Hannah, among the unbaptized? How are you going on at home?"

"I cannot stay long," was the answer. "It is all the same where one
sits, and when I leave I shall disturb no one. But my heart is heavy;
the child is very bad. The doctor says he cannot live through the day,
and I felt as if I must come to church."

"Very right, very right. Do you stay here and I will go to your house at
once; my husband will not mind waiting."

"Thank you very much, but Katharine is staying with the boy and he is
quite safe there."

"Then I will stay and pray with you for the dear little child."

Dada had no