The whole world was before them waiting to be plundered, and they would fulfil their mission, whensoever it suited them.

In the meantime they were in no hurry.

Egypt furnished in profusion every sort of food which could gratify palates far more nice than theirs.

And as for wine--few of them went to bed sober from one week's end to another.

Could the souls of warriors have more, even in the halls of Valhalla?
So thought the party who occupied the inner court of the house, one blazing afternoon in the same week in which Cyril's messenger had so rudely broken in on the repose of the Scetis.