you will. I do not ask to enter. Come! I feel certain that
my finding her is in some way bound up with Pelagia. Had I not met her
on the Nile, had you not met her in the street, I might never have heard
that I had a sister. And if she went with Miriam, Pelagia must know
her--she may be in that very house at this moment!'

Arsenius had his reasons for suspecting that Philammon was but too
right. But he contented himself with yielding to the boy's excitement,
and set off with him in the direction of the dancer's house.

They were within a few yards of the gate, when hurried footsteps behind
them, and voices calling them by name, made them turn; and behold,
evidently to the disgust of Arsenius as much as Philammon himself, Peter
the Reader and a large party of monks!

Philammon's first impulse was to escape; Arsenius himself caught him by
the arm, and seemed inclined to hurry on.

'No!' thought the youth, 'am I not a free man, and a philosopher?' and
facing round, he awaited the enemy.

'Ah, young apostate! So you have found him, reverend and ill-used sir.
Praised be Heaven for this rapid success!'

'My good friend,' asked Arsenius, in a trembling voice, 'what brings you
here?'

'Heaven forbid that I should have allowed your sanctity and age to
go forth without some guard against the insults and violence of this
wretched youth and his profligate companions. We have been following you
afar off all the morning, with hearts full of filial solicitude.'

'Many thanks; but indeed your kindness has been superfluous. My son
here, from whom I have met with nothing but affection, and whom, indeed,
I believe far more innocent than report declared him, is about to return
peaceably with me. Are you not, Philammon?'

'Alas! my father'' said Philammon, with an effort, 'how can I find
courage to say it'?--but I cannot return with you.'

'Cannot return?'

'I vowed that I would never again cross that threshold till--'

'And Cyril does. He bade me, indeed he bade me, assure you that he would
receive you back as a son, and forgive and forget all the past.'

'Forgive and forget? That is my part--not his. Will he right me against
that tyrant and his crew? Will he proclaim me openly to be an innocent
and persecuted man, unjustly beaten and driven forth for obeying his own
commands? Till he does that, I shall not forget that I am a free man.'

'A free man!' said Peter, with an unpleasant smile; 'that remains to
be proved, my gay y