religion of Jesus, and her efforts to lead Medora to embrace the same faith. From his sister the priest had learned her own and her mother's repugnance to the proposed alliance with Muthis; and he also thought he had discovered that Medora felt an interest in the Roman student, whose attentions to her had been so disagreeable to her Egyptian suitor. He was, therefore, quite prepared to imagine some scheme that might be destructive to his own and his father's settled plans with respect to Medora's hand; and he was equally prepared to circumvent them. In order to divert the conversation from its present very disagreeable course, Alypius resolved to enter at once on the subject which he desired to discuss with Orestes. So he quietly replied: "Heaven knows, Orestes, that neither your excellent mother nor I would do anything to mar your sister's peace. But I did not seek you now to speak of Medora-you had another sister." "I had another sister! Yes, in years long gone by I had a sister, who was my loved companion, and the object of my fondest hopes. But I have no other sister now; and do you wonder that I watch jealously over Medora in these degenerate and faithless days? But, Alypius," he continued, with some emotion, which showed that his heart was less hard and stern than he would have it appear, "why do you speak of that sister? Why do you revive memories that I have felt it my duty to banish from my mind, as a devoted servant of the gods whom she forsook and insulted ?" “Because, Orestes, it now seems to be your duty to remember that long-lost sister; to recall your mutual affection; to cherish protect, and love her; and to win her a place once more in your father's heart and your father's home." Orestes started; and his usually fixed and immovable features were agitated by very unwonted emotions. "Tell me, Alypius," he said, in a low, deep voice, as he grasped his arm, "tell me at once-does Claudia yet live ?" "She does." "And where ?" "She is on this island, Orestes." "And her faith, Alypius? Has she returned to her ancient faith ?" "Your sister is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ; and she will never deny him in life or in death." "O thou that liest buried in this holy isle!" exclaimed Orestes, overcome with sudden grief and excitement, "thou whom I serve with my body and my spirit-thou great Osiris!-awaken my sister from her fatal blindness, and restore her to her family and her gods! Then will I serve thee with a deeper devotion, and give to thee greater sacrifices. But if thou wilt not take Claudia again for thy votary"-and here the uplifted hands and eyes of the priest fell towards the ground, and the light faded. from his countenance as the sad alternative arose in his mind"if thou wilt not again receive the recreant, then let her die here on this sacred spot; and do thou receive her soul in the regions of Amenti; and oh, do thou deal mercifully with it for the sake of all that I, thy faithful servant, have done for thee!" It was a passionate prayer, and it was and then Orestes stood silent and pale. passionately uttered; His whole mien bore sad evidence to the sincerity of his appeal, and his faith in the deity whom he thus earnestly invoked. Alypius was deeply moved. "Oh that this ardent soul could be brought into thy fold, Lord Jesus!" he murmured to himself. The last words fell on the ear of Orestes. "And you too, Alypius!" he said, as he looked up and met his companion's gaze of deep interest, with a countenance from which all emotion had passed away, and which now only wore the stern, self-sustained expression which Alypius had hitherto seen on the features of the Egyptian priest. "I anticipated this," he continued, coldly and gravely. "I now perceive the bond of union between you and my unhappy sister. I now see why you are my mother's messenger to Philæ. This is no place for you, Alypius. I will not betray you to those who would resent your presence here; but I warn you that it would be dangerous for you to remain if it were known to my brethren that you are a Christian.” |