He showed his secret soul to the old man who was as much surprised as delighted at what he found there; for he had feared that Orion might not be able wholly to escape the powerful influences of Greek beguilements;--nay, he had often felt anxious lest his own son might disapprove of his having surrendered to the Arab conquerors the province entrusted to his rule, and concluded a peace with them.
The Mukaukas now felt himself as one with Orion, and from time to time looked tenderly up at him from the draught-board.

Neforis was doing her best to entertain the mother of her son's future bride, and divert her attention from his strange demeanor.

She seemed indeed to be successful, for Dame Susannah agreed to everything she said; but she betrayed the fact that she was keeping a sharp watch by suddenly asking: "Does your husband's lofty niece not think us worthy of a single word ?" "Oh no!" said Neforis bitterly.

"I only hope she may soon find some other people to whom she can behave more graciously.

You may depend upon it I will put no obstacle in her way." Then she brought the conversation round to Katharina, and the widow told her that her brother-in-law, Chrysippus, was now in Memphis with his two little daughters.