e internal organ, which threatened his life. The anxious
father besought the leech, in whom he had the greatest confidence, to
hasten to Djidda, there to examine the sufferer and undertake the case.
At the same time he desired that Rustem should join him as soon as his
health would permit.

This letter--which ended with greetings to Paula, for whose father he
was making diligent search--agitated Philippus greatly. How could he
leave Memphis at a time of such famine and sickness?--And Dame Joanna
and her daughter!

On the other hand he was much drawn to get away on Paula's
account--away, far away; and then how gladly would he do his best
to save that fine old man's son. In spite of all this he would have
remained, but that his old friend, quite unexpectedly, took Haschim's
side of the question and implored him to make the journey. He would make
it his business and his pleasure to take charge of the women in Rufinus'
house; Philip's assistant could fill his place at the bedside of many
of the sick, and the rest could die without him. Had not he himself said
that there was no remedy for the disease? Again, Philip had said not
long since that there could be no peace for him within reach of Paula:
here was a favorable opportunity for escape without attracting remark,
and at the same time for doing a work of the truest charity.

So Philippus had yielded, and had started on his journey with very mixed
feelings.

Horapollo did not devote any particular attention to his personal
comfort; but in one respect he took especial care of himself. He had
great difficulty in walking and, as he loved to breathe the fresh air at
sundown, and sometimes to study the stars at a late hour, he kept an ass
of the best and finest breed. He did not hesitate to pay a high price
for such a beast if it really answered his requirements; that is to say
if it were strong, surefooted, gentle, and light-colored. His father and
grandfather, priests of Isis, had always ridden white asses, and so he
would do the same.

During the last few sultry weeks he had rarely gone out of doors, and
to-day he waited till the hour before sunset before starting to keep his
promise.

Robed in snowy-white linen, with new sandals on his feet, freshly
shaven, and protected from the sun's rays by a crisply curled, flowing
wig, after the manner of his fathers, as well as by an umbrella, he
mounted his beautiful white ass in the conviction that he had done
his best for h