n from his parched tongue, and as he
spoke the faithful fellow's face changed. Even under the dust he turned
pale, and Philippus had to support him, for his feet refused their
office. His long tramp through the torrid heat had exhausted his
strength; but a draught of wine soon brought him to himself again and
Horapollo ordered the slave to lead him to the kitchen and desire the
cook to take the best care of him.

As soon as the friends were alone, the elder observed:

"That worthy, foolhardy, old child who is now dead, seems to have left
you some strange request. I could see that as you were reading."

"There--take it!" replied Philippus; and again he walked up and down the
room, while Horapollo took the letter. Both faces of the tablets were
covered with irregular, up-and-down lines of writing to the following
effect:

"Rufinus, in view of death, to his beloved Philippus:

"One shivering fit after another comes over me; I shall certainly
die to-day. I must make haste. Writing is difficult. If only I
can say what is most pressing.--First: Joanna and the poor child.
Be everything you can be to them. Protect them as their guardian,
Kyrios, and friend. They have enough to live on and something still
to spare for others. My brother Leonax manages the property, and he
is honest. Joanna knows all about it.--Tell her and the poor child
that I send them ten thousand blessings--and to Joanna endless
thanks for all her goodness.--And to you, my friend: heed the old
man's words. Rid your heart of Paula. She is not for you: you
know, young Orion. But as to yourself: Those who were born in high
places rarely suit us, who have dragged ourselves up from below to a
better position. Be her friend; that she deserves--but let that be
all. Do not live alone, a wife brings all that is best into a man's
life; it is she who weaves sweet dreams into his dull sleep. You
know nothing of all this as yet; and your worthy old friend--to whom
my greetings--has held aloof from it all his life....

"For your private eye: it is a dying man who speaks thus. You must
know that my poor child, our Pul, regards you as the most perfect of
men and esteems you above all others. You know her and Joanna.
Bear witness to your friend that no evil word ever passed the lips
of either of them. Far be it from me to advise you, who bear the
image of another woman in your heart,--to say: marry