“A finger in a box!  What a miserable exchange for the fairest and purest that God has allowed to move on earth among men.  Can we wonder if the Almighty has at last disdained and rejected the wretched substitute, and claims once more for His Nile that which was formerly given?  But where is the mother, where is the father, you will ask, who, in our selfish days, is so penetrated with love for his country, his province, his native town, that he will dedicate his virgin daughter to perish in the waters for the common good?  What daughter of our nation is ready of her own free will to die for the salvation of others?

“But be not afraid.  Have no fears for the growing maiden, the very apple of your eye, in your women’s rooms.  Fear not for your granddaughters, sisters, playfellows and betrothed:  From the earliest ages a stringent law forbade the sacrifice of Egyptian blood; strangers were to perish, or those who worshipped other gods than those in Egypt.

“The same law, citizens and fellow-believers, is incumbent on us.  And mark me well, all of you!  Would it not seem as though Fate desired to help us to bring to our blessed Nile the offering which for so many centuries has been withheld?  The river claims it; and, as if by a miracle, it has been brought to our hand.  For a crime which does not taint her purity our judges have to-day condemned to death a beautiful and spotless maiden—­a stranger, and at the same time a Greek and a heretic Melchite.

“This stirs you, this fills your souls with joyful thankfulness; I see it!  Then make ready for thy bridal, noble stream, Benefactor of our land and nation!  The virgin, the bride that thou hast longed for, we deck for thee, we lead to thine embrace—­she shall be Thine!

“And you, Memphites, citizens and fellow-sufferers,” and the orator leaned far over the parapet towards the crowd, “when I ask you for your suffrages, when I appeal to you in the name of the senate, and of this venerable sage. . . .”

But here he was interrupted by the triumphant shout of the assembled multitude; a thousand voices went up in a mighty, heaven-rending cry: 

“To the Nile with her—­the maiden to the Nile!”

“Marry the Melchite to the river!  Bring wreaths for the bride of the Nile, bring flowers for her marriage.”

“Let us abide by the teaching of our fathers!”

“Hail to the councillor!  Hail to the sage, Horapollo!  Hail to our chief Senator!”

These were the glad and enthusiastic shouts that rose in loud confusion; and it was only on the north side, where the money-changers’ tables now stood deserted-for gold and silver had long since been placed in safety—­that a sinister murmur of dissent was heard.  The little girl in the Persian’s arms had long since been breathing hard and deep.  She thought she knew whom that fiend up there had his eye upon for his cursed heathen sacrifice; and as Mary bent down to Dame Joanna to see whether she shared her hideous suspicion, she perceived that her eyes and Pulcheria’s were full of tears.—­That was enough; she asked no questions, for a new act in the drama claimed her attention.