vel of the
paraschites Pinem, but here they were forced to pause, for guards drove
back the crowd to the right and left with long staves, to clear a passage
for the procession as it approached.

"See, Rameri," said Bent-Anat, pointing out the little yard of the hut
which stood only a few paces from them. "That is where the fair, white
girl lives, whom I ran over. But she is much better. Turn round; there,
behind the thorn-hedge, by the little fire which shines full in your
(her? D.W.) face--there she sits, with her grandfather."

The prince stood on tip-toe, looked into the humble plot of ground, and
then said in a subdued voice "What a lovely creature! But what is she
doing with the old man? He seems to be praying, and she first holds a
handkerchief before his mouth, and then rubs his temples. And how unhappy
she looks!"

"The paraschites must be ill," replied Bent-Anat. "He must have had too
much wine down at the feast," said Rameri laughing. "No doubt of it! Only
look how his lips tremble, and his eyes roll. It is hideous--he looks
like one possessed."

[It was thought that the insane were possessed by demons. A stele
admirably treated by F. de Rouge exists at Paris, which relates
that the sister-in law of Rameses III., who was possessed by devils,
had them driven out by the statue of Chunsu, which was sent to her
in Asia.]

"He is unclean too!" said Nefert.

"But he is a good, kind man, with a tender heart," exclaimed the princess
eagerly. "I have enquired about him. He is honest and sober, and I am
sure he is ill and not drunk."

"Now she is standing up," said Rameri, and he dropped the paper-lantern
which he had bought at a booth. "Step back, Bent-Anat, she must be
expecting some one. Did you ever see any one so very fair, and with such
a pretty little head. Even her red hair becomes her wonderfully; but she
staggers as she stands--she must be very weak. Now she has sat down again
by the old man, and is rubbing his forehead. Poor souls! look how she is
sobbing. I will throw my purse over to them."

"No, no!" exclaimed Bent-Anat. "I gave them plenty of money, and the
tears which are shed there cannot be staunched with gold. I will send old
Asnath over to-morrow to ask how we can help them. Look, here comes the
procession, Nefert. How rudely the people press! As soon as the God is
gone by we will go home."

"Pray do," said Nefert. "I am so frightened!" and she pressed trembling
to the side