The  period  of  my  probation,  however,
was  nearly  at  an  end.  Both  frame  and
spirit  had  now  been  tried ;  and,  as  the
crowning  test  of  the  purification  t)i  the
latter  was  that  power  of  seeing  into  the
world  of  spirits,  with  which,  in  the  Valley
of  Visions,  I  had  proved  myself  to  be  en-
dowed, there  remained  now,  to  perfect
my   Initiation,  but  this   one   night  more,


118  THE    EPICUREAN.
when,  in  the  Temple  of  Isis,  and  in  the
presence  of  her  unveiled  image,  the  last
errand  revelation  of  the  Secret  of  Secrets
was  to  open  upon  me.
I  passed  the  morning  of  this  day  in
company  with  the  same  venerable  person-
age, who  had,  from  the  first,  presided
over  the  ceremonies  of  my  instruction  ;  and
who,  to  inspire  me  with  due  reverence  for
the  power  and  magnificence  of  his  religion,
now  conducted  me  through  the  long  range
of  illuminated  galleries  and  shrmes,  that
extend  under  the  site  upon  which  Mem-
phis and  the  Pyramids  stand,  and  form
a  counterpart  under  ground  to  that  mighty
city  of  temples  upon  earth.
