ng to follow us in?' And the young man's sword flashed
from its sheath so swiftly, that Philammon had but just time enough
to spring back into the street, and wait there, in an agony of
disappointment and anxiety, as the gates slid together again, and the
house was as silent as before.

For a miserable hour he waited, while the mob thickened instead of
flowing away, and the scattered groups of chatterers began to form
themselves into masses, and parade the streets with shouts of 'Down with
the heathen!' 'Down with the idolaters!' 'Vengeance on all blaspheming
harlots!'

At last the steady tramp of legionaries, and in the midst of the
glittering lines of armed men--oh, joy!--a string of litters!

He sprang forward, and called Pelagia's name again and again. Once he
fancied he heard an answer: but the soldiers thrust him back.

'She is safe here, young fool, and has seen and been seen quite enough
to-day already. Back!'

'Let me speak to her!'

'That is her business. Ours is now to see her home safe.'

'Let me go in with you, I beseech!'

'If you want to go in, knock for yourself when we are gone. If you have
any business in the house, they will open to you, I suppose. Out, you
interfering puppy!'

And a blow of the spear-butt in his chest sent him rolling back into
the middle of the street, while the soldiers, having delivered up their
charge, returned with the same stolid indifference. In vain Philammon,
returning, knocked at the gate. Curses and threats from the negro were
all the answer which he received; and at last, wearied into desperation,
he wandered away, up one street and down another, struggling in vain to
form some plan of action for himself, until the sun was set.

Wearily he went homewards at last. Once the thought of Miriam crossed
his mind. It was a disgusting alternative to ask help of her, the very
author of his sister's shame: but yet she at least could obtain for him
a sight of Pelagia; she had promised as much. But then--the condition
which she had appended to her help! To see his sister, and yet to leave
her as she was!--Horrible contradiction! But could he not employ Miriam
for his own ends?--outwit her?--deceive her?--for it came to that. The
temptation was intense: but it lasted only a moment. Could he defile so
pure a cause by falsehood? And hurrying past the Jewess's door, hardly
daring to look at it, lest the temptation should return, he darted
upstairs to his own little chamber, h