manner--for she was sincerely fond of her foster-brother and play-fellow
--that she quite charmed Martina and Heliodora, and the younger woman
expressed a hope that they might see her often. Indeed, when she was
gone, Martina exclaimed: "A charming little thing! As fresh and bright
as a newly-fledged bird, so brisk and pretty too--and how nicely she
prattles!"

"And the richest heiress in Memphis into the bargain," added Orion. But,
noticing that on this Heliodora cast down her eyes with a troubled
expression, he went on with a laugh: "Our mothers destined us to marry
each other, but we are too ill-matched in size, and not exactly made for
a pair in other ways."

Then, taking leave of them, he went to Nilus and informed him of his
decision. His request that the treasurer would make his excuses to
Rufinus, carry his greetings to Thomas' daughter, and make the most of
his reasons for remaining behind, sent the good man almost beside himself
for joy; and he so far forgot his modest reserve as to embrace Orion as a
son.

The young host sat with his visitors till nearly midnight: and when, on
the following morning, Martina first greeted her niece--who looked
peacefully happy though somewhat tired--she was able to tell her that
the two men had already gone across the Nile, and, she hoped, settled
everything with the Arab governor. Great was her disappointment when
presently Justinus and Orion came back to say that Amru, instead of
returning to Fostat from the review at Heliopolis, had gone straight to
Alexandria. He had engagements there for a few days, and would then
start for Medina.