“This is very satisfactory,” returned Q. Metellus. “But I am also instructed to say that inasmuch as the social standing of the new student is unknown to us, it seems to us that the testing should be on the more gentlemanly accomplishments. This will throw some light on whether he is entitled to mingle on equal terms with the representatives of the best families of the empire.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed P. Cornelius. “Use your eyes, Metellus!”
But Aleph gravely said, “I do not object to the new proposition of the Museum.”
“One more particular, and I have finished my mission. The Museum also requests that the testing may be by our professional teachers of equestrianism and fence. The testing is likely to be more scientifically done; and if well sustained will be more creditable to the candidate. I hope he will gratify us also in this particular.”
“In this particular also,” said Aleph quietly—“assuming that nothing unfair is intended, and that I shall not be asked to attempt anything which the trainer is not willing to attempt himself.”
“This condition is reasonable—do you accept it?” demanded Cornelius. Receiving a nod of assent, he continued. “Then we will proceed to the gymnasium—under protest. I demur to the whole proceeding. Our new associate is too compliant. The Museum is extravagant and unreasonable. It will bear watching—Gentlemen of the Serapeum!” he exclaimed, after a moment’s pause, “I move you that we invite the venerable Seti to accompany us to the gymnasium. It will conduce to order and fairness.”
The suggestion was heartily ratified.
The gymnasium was near. The fair occupants of the latticed gallery already mentioned, and of whose presence some faint signs had appeared during the lecture, had only to remove to the opposite side of the same large room to command as good a view and almost as good a hearing of what might pass in the gymnasium as they had been having of the lecture room. Did they remove? Who knows? Was the Gem of Alexandria, with her lofty brow and shining eyes, among them? Who knows? Certainly not Aleph the Chaldean.
The large court of the temple had been fitted up for athletic exercises. We need only say in regard to it that it was large enough to inclose a small hippodrome at the centre; that on the right and left of a broad passage leading down to this from the main entrance were tiers of movable seats rising one above another. Those on the left were already occupied by the Museum in full force when the Serapeum came crowding in and took the seats on the right. Then appeared Seti and took the seat of honor in the middle of the passage. Last of all came P. Cornelius and our two friends. These walked down at once to the edge of the hippodrome, when Cimon took a seat on the right, and Aleph and Cornelius remained standing—
Before a man, who, a long whip in hand, was holding at full length the rein of a superb looking horse with a riding cloth strapped upon him.