ad found new life. "Hail, hail!" was shouted
again and again, and it was addressed, not merely to the old man who had
promised them deliverance, but also to the Fathers of the city, who felt
as if a fearful load had fallen from their souls.

The old man's scheme was, to be sure, not pious nor rightly Christian;
but had the power of the Church been in any way effectual? And this
having failed they must of their own accord have had recourse to
means held reprobate by the priesthood. Magic and the black arts
were genuinely Egyptian; and when faith had no power, these asserted
themselves and superstition claimed its own. Though Medea had been taken
by surprise and imprisoned, this had not been done to satisfy the law,
but with a view to secretly utilizing her occult science for the benefit
of the community. In such dire need no means were too base; and though
the old man himself was horrified at those he proposed he was sure of
public approbation if only they had the desired result. If only they
could avert the calamity the sin could be expiated, and the Almighty was
so merciful!

The bishop had a seat and voice in the council, but Fate itself had
saved them from the dilemma of having to meet his remonstrances.

When Horapollo went out into the market-place he was received with
acclamations, and as much gratitude as though he had already achieved
the deliverance of the people and country.

What had he done?--Whether the work he had set going were to fail or
to succeed he could not remain in Memphis, for in either case he would
never have peace again. But that did not daunt him; it would certainly
be very good for the two women to be removed from the perilous
neighborhood of the Arab capital, and he was firmly determined to take
them away with him. For his dear Philip, too, nothing could be better
than a transplantation into other soil.

At the house of Rufinus he now learnt the fate that had fallen on Paula.

She was out the way, at any rate for the present; still, if she should
be released to-morrow or the day after, or even a month hence, she would
be as great a hindrance as ever. His plots against her must therefore be
carried out. His own isolation provoked him, and what a satisfaction
it would be if only he should succeed in stirring up the Egyptian
Christians to the heathen deed to which he was endeavoring to prompt
them.

If Paula should be condemned to death by the Arabs, the execution of the
scheme would be