But his castle in the air was shattered at this point, for an object was approaching across the Nile which attracted his attention, and which he pointed out to his chief.  The stream lay before them like a broad belt of black and silver brocade.  The waxing moon was mirrored in the almost unruffled surface and where a ripple curled it the tiny crest glittered like white flame.  Bats swooped to and fro in the gloom from the city of the dead to the river, and flitted above it like shadows blown about by the wind.  A few lateen sails moved like pale, gigantic birds over the dark waters; but now from the north—­and from the city—­a larger mass came towards the palm-grove with bright, gleaming eyes of light.

“A fine boat,—­the governor’s no doubt,” said the merchant, as it slowly came towards the grove from the middle of the stream.  At the same time the clatter of hoofs became audible from the road behind the inn.  Haschim turned round and was aware of torchbearers running ahead of a chariot.

“The sick man has come so far by water,” said the Arab, “and now, he is to be driven home.—­Strange! this is the second time to-day that I have met his much-talked-of son!”

The governor’s pleasure-barge was nearing the palm-grove.  It was a large and handsome boat, built of cedar-wood and richly gilt, with an image of John, the patron-saint of the family, for a figure-head.  The nimbus round the head was a crown of lamps, and large lanterns shone both at the bows and stern of the vessel.  The Mukaukas George was reclining under an awning, his wife Neforis by his side.  Opposite to them sat their son and a tall young girl, at whose feet a child of ten sat on the ground, leaning her pretty head against her knees.  An older Greek woman, the child’s governess, had a place by the side of a very tall man, on an ottoman beyond the verge of the awning.  This man was Philip the leech.  The cheerful sound of the lute accompanied the barge, and the performer was the returned wanderer Orion, who touched the strings with skill and deep feeling.

It was altogether a pleasing scene—­a fair picture of a wealthy and united family.  But who was the damsel sitting by Orion’s side?  He was devoting his whole attention to her; as he struck the strings with deeper emphasis his eyes sought hers, and it seemed as though he were playing for her alone.  Nor did she appear unworthy of such homage, for when the barge ran into the little haven and Haschim could distinguish her features he was startled by her noble and purely Greek beauty.

A few handsomely-dressed slaves, who must have come with the vehicle by the road, now went on board the boat to carry their invalid lord to his chariot; and it then became apparent that the seat in which he reclined was provided with arms by which it could be lifted and moved.  A burly negro took this at the back, but just as another was stooping to lift it in front Orion pushed him away and took his place, raised the