A proscribed paraschites put it into the body of Rui, and--and--" he opened the cupboard, threw the carcase of the ape and some clothes on to the floor, and took out an alabaster bowl which he held before the poet--"the muscles you see here in brine, this machine, once beat in the breast of the prophet Rui.

My sheep's heart wilt be carried to-morrow in the procession! I would have told you all about it if I had not promised the old man to hold my tongue, and then--But what ails you, man ?" Pentaur had turned away from his friend, and covered his face with his hands, and he groaned as if he were suffering some frightful physical pain.

Nebsecht divined what was passing in the mind of his friend.

Like a child that has to ask forgiveness of its mother for some misdeed, he went close up to Pentaur, but stood trembling behind him not daring to speak to him.
Several minutes passed.

Suddenly Pentaur raised his head, lifted his hands to heaven, and cried: "O Thou! the One!--though stars may fall from the heavens in summer nights, still Thy eternal and immutable laws guide the never-resting planets in their paths.