standing the lateness of the hour,
taking a bath and putting on fresh garments.

With trembling knees they found their way back to the chariot; but
even before it could start Heliodora had broken down in tears, while
Katharina, throwing herself back on the cushions, thought, as she
glanced at her weeping companion: "This is the beginning of the
wonderful happiness she was promised! It is to be hoped it may
continue!"

It seemed indeed as though Katharina's guardian spirit had overheard
this amiable wish; for, as the chariot drove past the guard-house into
the court-yard of the governor's house, it was stopped by armed men with
brown, warlike faces, and they had to wait some minutes till an Arab
officer appeared to enquire who they were, and what they wanted. This
they explained in fear and trembling, and they then learnt that the
Arab government had that very evening taken possession of the residence.
Orion was accused of serious crimes, and his guests were to depart on
the following day.

Katharina, who was known to the interpreter, was allowed to go with
Heliodora to the senator's wife; she might also use the chariot to
return home in, and if she pleased, take the Byzantines with her, for
the palace would be in the hands of the soldiery for the next few days.

The two young women held council. Katharina pressed her friend to come
at once to her mother's house, for she felt certain that they were
plague-stricken, and how could they procure a bath in a house full of
soldiers? Heliodora could not and must not remain with Martina in this
condition, and the senator's wife could follow her next day. Her mother,
she added, would be delighted to welcome so dear a guest.

The widow was passive, and when Martina had gladly consented to accept
the invitation of her "delivering angel," the chariot carried them to
Susannah's house. The widow had long been in bed, firmly convinced that
her daughter was asleep and dreaming in her own pretty room.

Katharina would not have her disturbed, and the bath-room was so far
from Susannah's apartment that she slept on quietly while Katharina and
her guest purified themselves.

CHAPTER XI.

The inhabitants of the governor's residence passed a fearful night.
Martina asked herself what sin she had committed that she, of all
people, should be picked out to witness such a disaster.

And where were her schemes of marriage now? Any movement in such heat
was indeed scarcely endurable