fair the world is!"

"Strange boy!" exclaimed the Roman, interrupting his friend's rapture.
"You can not stay for ever in this dingy stall."

"I will not stir from this spot till Klea comes. The boy there shall
fetch me victuals as an old sparrow feeds his young; and if necessary I
will lie here for a week, like the little sardines they preserve in oil
at Alexandria."

"I hope you will have only a few hours to wait; but I must go, for I am
planning a rare surprise for King Euergetes on his birthday, and must go
to the palace. The festival is already in full swing. Only listen how
they are shouting and calling down by the harbor; I fancy I can hear the
name of Euergetes."

"Present my compliments to the fat monster! May we meet again soon--
brother-in-law!"




CHAPTER XXV.

King Euergetes was pacing restlessly up and down the lofty room which his
brother had furnished with particular magnificence to be his reception-
room. Hardly had the sun risen on the morning of his birthday when he
had betaken himself to the temple of Ptah with a numerous suite--before
his brother Philometor could set out--in order to sacrifice there, to win
the good graces of the high-priest of the sanctuary, and to question of