[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the
file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an
entire meal of them. D.W.]





THE BRIDE OF THE NILE

By Georg Ebers

Volume 8.



CHAPTER V.

After that interview with Orion, Philippus hurried off through the town,
paying so little heed to the people he met and to the processions
besieging Heaven with loud psalms to let the Nile at last begin to rise,
that he ran up against more than one passer-by, and had many a word of
abuse shouted after him. He went into two or three houses, and neither
his patients nor their attendants could recognize, in this abrupt and
hasty visitor, the physician and friend who was usually so sympathetic to
the sufferer: who would speak with a cordiality that brought new
life to his heart, who would toss the children in the air, kiss one and
nod merrily to another. To-day their elders even felt shy and anxious in
his presence. For the first time he found the duty he loved a wearisome
burthen; the sick man was a tormenting spirit in league with the world