The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

branched candelabrum . As Adrian stood gazing on this wonderful sight , and vainly attempting to decpyher its ulterior meaning , there sloAvly rose upon the air a soft plaintive AVOman ' s voice , chanting a funeral hymn . Gradually other voices joined

in the chant , the deep stern tones of men fallinglike thunder among the IOAY aud trembling notes of Avomen . This music proceeded from the choir

of the priests and priestesses of Isis , and it AY as designed by the solemnity of their hymns to impress the aspirant Avith sacl and fervent thought . As Adrian gazed en wrapt upon the scene , the chant greAY louder , and a huge brazen gate opened

opposite him , and the procession of Isis appeared . First came children of both sexes strewing flowers and swinging censers , then followed the inferior grades of priests and priestesses , till surrounded by the superior , Lemo appeared . Slowly the

procession surrounded the catafalque , chanting a solemn dirge , after which the procession knelt ¦ around it chanting a funeral ode , while a concealed band of instrumental music , at a sign from Lemo , broke out into a wonderfully solemn and impressive score . Adrian buried his face in his hands as the

melancholy voices , and the sadly SAveet-toned instruments struck upon his ear . He , in thought was transported back to Rome again among his friends . He felt his father ' s kindly press—his dead mother's kiss upon his broAV . He met the

clasp of his earliest friend and companion , his cousin Caius , and Ms eyes grew moist and dim . These voices seemed to him to come from the

grave , and the light in the hall , ajipeared to be the lustre of the heavenly courts . Suddenly the lamps were extinguished , the voices ceased , and the strings of the instruments no longer vibrated . For an instant Adrian felt appalled , his heart

SAvelled with undefined emotion , so sudden came the change , and he involuntarily asked himself " Can this be death ?" From this state he Avas aroused by the voice of Lemo , again demanding of him , if he persisted in

braving the dangers and perils of the path , or Avhether his heart failed him , and lie desired to return to the light of heaven , and abandon the enterprise as one beyond Ids strength . " Never , " he ansAvered , " I have said as thou

hast said , 0 Lemo , to the valiant all things are possible . ' Let me advance !" A door opened at his right hand , and Lemo appeared in the entrance , holding in his hand a peculiarly constructed lamp .

" Here . Ave part , Adrian , perhaps for ever . All UOAV depends upon yourself . Take this lamp , aud preserve ib with care , but ere yon proceed on your journey , consider well these words -. —" The High Priest pointed Avith his hand to the

side of the apartment , where the grating had been , but wliich IIOAV had disappeared as if by magic , for a solid stone Avail appeared in its place . Upon this Avail as Adrian gazed , there came a scroll of fire , bearing this sentence : —

" The Mortal who shall travel over this road , without being overcome by the flesh , without hesitation or looking back , shall be purified by fire , by water , and by air . If he can surmount the fear of death , he shall emerge from the bosom

of the earth j he shall revisit the light , and claim the right for the reception by his soul of the great mysteries of the Immortals . " Adrian , after perusing these words , turned to the place where Lemo had stood , but in the interval he had disappeared . AlloAving his head for

an instant to decline upon his breast , he became buried in anxious thought over this Avarning ; but , by an effort , recovering himself , he again and slowly read over the flaming scroll , and turning advanced along the passage . On either side , were

placed in niches , colossal statues , waiting apparently for the hour of their resurrection . The lamp which Lemo bad given him emitted but a dismal light , and made the darkness but more horrible . Beneath his feet lay the bones and

skulls of those Avho had failed in their enterprise unseemly reptiles crawled among these remains of mortality , and huge frightful shadows danced before him in seeming mockery . At times the cruel hiss of the deadly snake would be heard , but

remembering the injunction conveyed in the burning scroll , he turned neither to the left nor to the right , but steadily pursued his way along the winding gallery . After a space , the road became clear of its ghastly pollutions , and the statues iu the niches ended as he approached an iron door Avhich closed the gallery .

On his approach , three men started from behind a pillar , and pointed at him . They bore naked SAVords in their hands , and their features Avere disguised by masks fashioned to represent the heads of jackalls . Adrian stopped at the sight of them ;

but the leader , advancing , said : " We are placed here , not to impede your passage . Continue your iourney , if the Immortals have given you the courage and strength to do so ; but I warn you , if