on
Egyptian--the mummeries and delusions of the fane of Isis. He was about
to declare them publicly. He, a stranger, unoffending, without enemies!
who should shed his blood but one of those who feared his witness? Who
might fear that testimony the most?--Arbaces, the Egyptian!'

'You hear him!' said Arbaces; 'you hear him! he blasphemes! Ask him if
he believes in Isis!'

'Do I believe in an evil demon?' returned Olinthus, boldly.

A groan and shudder passed through the assembly. Nothing daunted, for
prepared at every time for peril, and in the present excitement losing
all prudence, the Christian continued:

'Back, idolaters! this clay is not for your vain and polluting rites--it
is to us--to the followers of Christ, that the last offices due to a
Christian belong. I claim this dust in the name of the great Creator
who has recalled the spirit!'

With so solemn and commanding a voice and aspect the Christian spoke
these words, that even the crowd forbore to utter aloud the execration
of fear and hatred which in their hearts they conceived. And never,
perhaps, since Lucifer and the Archangel contended for the body of the
mighty Lawgiver, was there a more striking subject for the painter's
genius than that scene exhibited. The dark trees--the stately fane--the
moon full on the corpse of the deceased--the torches tossing wildly to
and fro in the rear--the various faces of the motley audience--the
insensible form of the Athenian, supported, in the distance, and in the
foreground, and above all, the forms of Arbaces and the Christian: the
first drawn to its full height, far taller than the herd around; his
arms folded, his brow knit, his eyes fixed, his lip slightly curled in
defiance and disdain. The last bearing, on a brow worn and furrowed,
the majesty of an equal command--the features stern, yet frank--the
aspect bold, yet open--the quiet dignity of the whole form impressed
with an ineffable earnestness, hushed, as it were, in a solemn sympathy
with the awe he himself had created. His left hand pointing to the
corpse--his right hand raised to heaven.

The centurion pressed forward again.

'In the first place, hast thou, Olinthus, or whatever be thy name, any
proof of the charge thou hast made against Arbaces, beyond thy vague
suspicions?'

Olinthus remained silent--the Egyptian laughed contemptuously.

'Dost thou claim the body of a priest of Isis as one of the Nazarene or
Christian sect?'

'I do.'