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CHAPTER I.

THE REVELATION OF THE ASTROLOGER.

Although the hour was very late, near midnight, the Priestess had

just retired to her apartments for repose.

The Rites of the day had been extremely long and fatiguing, as

they always were for a Priestess of Isis attendant upon the

burial service of one in high rank; and a great nobleman of the

land, as well as a near relative of the Priestess herself, had

been buried that day.

Thus personal sorrow had mingled with and added weight to the

impressive and solemn grandeur of the occasion, yet, strangely

enough her mind was neither with the events of the day nor the

dead, but her thoughts were resting now where they had wandered

many times throughout the day, namely, to her little handmaid and

special attendant, as well as Vestal in the Temple, Sarthia.