CHAPTER VI.

ULIUS was struck with the extreme gravity and earnestness of his friend's countenance; and he began to fear that his admiration of the Egyptian girl was becoming too strong for his peace of mind. He was, therefore, glad when his profound meditations were interrupted by the entrance of several servants, each carrying a richly-wrought silver bowl, and a long-necked ewer of the same material, from which he poured perfumed water; and then kneeling before each of the guests in turn, proffered the basin, that they might refresh themselves by bathing their hands, which they dried on an embroidered linen cloth that hung over the shoulder of the attendant. Other domestics followed with vases of costly unguents, with which they anointed the heads of the visitors; and a third band succeeded, who placed chaplets of fresh flowers on each head, and presented to each guest a nosegay of the delicious lotus blossoms. The whole apartment was filled with sweet odours-so sweet that the unaccustomed senses of Alypius would have been overpowered, had not the large open casements admitted a plentiful supply of fresh and balmy air from the garden and terraces beneath.

All these ceremonies occupied a considerable time; but as they were new to Alypius and his companion, they were amused with observing them; and they also followed the

example of the other visitors, and wandered through the suite of rooms, admiring the curious and beautiful works of art with which they were abundantly decorated.

Before they had completed their survey, the steward of the household made his appearance, and announced that the banquet was prepared; and the company were led by Sophis, and his wife, Marcella, to the grand hall. There they found two long tables extending nearly the whole length of the apartment, and loaded with every luxury which could be procured at home or abroad; but all prepared and served in the Egyptian fashion. The hall was very splendid; the walls and floor were of marble of various colours, as

a row of pillars which partially divided the apartment towards the lower end, and behind which a band of musicians were stationed.

The old Egyptian custom of separating the male and female guests was observed on this occasion, and they were conducted. by their hosts to the right and to the left, and placed in due order at the two tables. While they took their seats on the luxurious couches which were ranged along the tables, the musicians played lively and festive airs on their instruments, which consisted of lyres, harps, a species of guitar, and doublepipes; a square-shaped tambourine being used to beat the time.

The banquet commenced by a wine-cup being carried round the tables, and presented to every guest; and of this even the ladies all partook before entering on the more substantial part of the repast. This was not so unlike the dinners of the present day as might be supposed; and consisted of joints of beef, veal, and pork; but no mutton was admitted, as the flesh

Poultry was also geese; and the

of the sheep was not eaten by the Egyptians. abundant, particularly large well-fattened numerous vegetables for which the land of Egypt has ever been celebrated, were served up in a variety of ways, mingled sometimes with the blood of oxen. Then followed sweetmeats and confectionery, prepared with elaborate art; and graceful vases and baskets of fruit completed the feast. Among these were luxuriant clusters of grapes, olives, citrons, figs, bananas, dates, and pomegranates; some the produce of the rich soil of Egypt, and some brought from distant lands. Nor were the beverages that accompanied the repast less varied or less rich. Many kinds of wine were manufactured in the fertile valley of the Nile, and were highly prized. Beer also was well known to the Egyptians, and great quantities both of that and of the juice of the grape were drunk by both sexes; and we have reason to believe, from ancient paintings, that the ladies not unfrequently were guilty of excesses which we, in these days of greater refinement, can hardly credit.

No such degrading scenes occurred in the house of Sophis. The stately Marcella took care that everything was conducted with the most perfect propriety, and that her Egyptian visitors should in no way shock the feelings of the Greek and Roman ladies who were her chosen friends, and with whom she greatly preferred to associate. Nor was the banquet unduly prolonged; so that when the attendants had again carried round the perfumed bowls and the embroidered napkins, and every lady had again washed her hands, the whole party rose from their seats with perfect steadiness, and stood erect to witness the concluding ceremony.

This ceremony appeared to Alypius a very strange, and also a very impressive one. While the guests stood silently round the tables two servants entered the hall, bearing on a kind of bier a small wooden image of the god Osiris, in the form of a mummy, and about three feet in length. This image was carried slowly round the tables, and presented to the gaze of each guest separately, as a warning that in the midst of life and enjoyment death was ever near, and that it was needful to remember the fleeting nature of all earthly joys and pleasures, and to prepare for the coming time, when the bodies now so capable of activity and enjoyment would be as cold and unconscious as the sculptured mummy before their eyes.

This custom may have originated in wise and good intentions, and the effects may have been beneficial. But, as is the case with most forms, the spirit had long been forgotten, and it had become, with most of those who observed it, a mere ceremonial.

Alypius was in an unusually serious frame of mind; and he was astonished at the unconcern with which most of the guests. looked on this emblem of death. Only on the countenances of Medora and her brother did he perceive any expression of solemnity or deep thought. Even their Egyptian visitors seemed perfectly indifferent to the image of their deity, in the garb of death; and as soon as it was carried from the hall, they all resumed their gay and lively conversation, and hurried out to the terraces and gardens, to enjoy those sports which had been the recreation of the ancestors of Sophis many centuries before.

Of these, a species of draughts, and another game called

mora, were the principal favourites; and in these the players hazarded considerable sums, and lost and won with great avidity and excitement. The rest of the guests roamed through the gardens, and listened to the musicians, who were stationed at suitable spots; or watched the graceful evolutions of the professional dancers, who were hired for the occasion. Among the Egyptians it was considered highly indecorous for any of the higher class, whether male or female, to dance in public, or even to sing or play on any musical instrument in a mixed company. Those who possessed any such talents were therefore compelled to confine the exercise of them to the family circle; and hired musicians and dancers were consequently always provided at every entertainment.

Alypius had observed both a harp and a guitar in one of the smaller rooms, and he felt assured that music must be one of the gifts of the fair Medora. It was almost a passion with him; and he sighed as he thought that he might never hear her voice raised in song, or see her graceful form bending over the harp. "Oh that she were a Roman maid!" he said to himself, "then I might aspire to her hand. My father's noble blood would place him on a level with the proud Sophis, even though that pure blood is the chief inheritance that he has left me."

Alypius had resolved not to give way to the fascination of the fair Egyptian, and rather to avoid than seek her society; and yet, almost unconsciously, he followed her through the gardens; and when he saw Muthis approach her, as she stood with some of her young friends to watch the athletic exercises which were being performed by some of her father's domestics,