She involuntarily thought of him as one of those few with whom she had come into personal contact, and in whose weal or woe she had some sympathetic interest.

He could not be altogether evil and hardened.

If he could only know what pain it caused her to see him suffer, he would surely command Zminis to abandon the pursuit of her brother.
Just as they were reaching the end of their walk, the trumpets rang out once more, reminding her that she was under the same roof with him.

She was so close to him--and yet how far he was from guessing the desires of a heart which beat with compassion for him! Several sick persons, eager for some communication from the gods, and some who, without being sick, had slept in the Serapeum, had by this time left their beds, and were taking counsel in the great hall with interpreters and physicians.

The bustle was like that of a market-place, and there was one old man with unkempt hair and fiery eyes who repeated again and again in a loud voice, "It was the god himself who appeared to me, and his three-headed dog licked my cheeks." And presently a hideous old woman plucked at Melissa's robe, whispering: "A healing draught for your lover; tears from the eyes of the infant Horus.