andthepoorgirlfelttheeffectsofittoo。Butitwasnotherfaultthatshewasblind，forshehadbeensofromherbirth。Bydegrees，wegotreconciledtoourpurchase。True，shehadnotthestrengthofStaphyla，andwasofverylittleuseinthehouse，butshecouldsoonfindherwayaboutthetown，aswellasifshehadtheeyesofArgus；andwhenonemorningshebroughtushomeahandfulofsesterces，whichshesaidshehadgotfromsellingsomeflowersshehadgatheredinourpoorlittlegarden，wethoughtthegodshadsenthertous。Sofromthattimewelethergooutasshelikes，fillingherbasketwithflowers，whichshewreathesintogarlandsaftertheThessalianfashion，whichpleasesthegallants；andthegreatpeopleseemtotakeafancytoher，fortheyalwayspayhermorethantheydoanyotherflower—girl，andshebringsallofithometous，whichismorethananyotherslavewoulddo。SoIworkformyself，butIshallsoonaffordfromherearningstobuymeasecondStaphyla；doubtless，theThessaliankidnapperhadstolentheblindgirlfromgentleparents。Besidesherskillinthegarlands，shesingsandplaysonthecithara，whichalsobringsmoney，andlately——butthatisasecret。’
’Thatisasecret！What！’criedLydon，’artthouturnedsphinx？’
’Sphinx，no！——whysphinx？’
’Ceasethygabble，goodmistress，andbringusourmeat——Iamhungry，’saidSporus，impatiently。
’AndI，too，’echoedthegrimNiger，whettinghisknifeonthepalmofhishand。
Theamazonstalkedawaytothekitchen，andsoonreturnedwithatrayladenwithlargepiecesofmeathalf—raw：forso，asnow，didtheheroesoftheprize—fightimaginetheybestsustainedtheirhardihoodandferocity：theydrewroundthetablewiththeeyesoffamishedwolves——themeatvanished，thewineflowed。SoleavewethoseimportantpersonagesofclassiclifetofollowthestepsofBurbo。
ChapterII
TWOWORTHIES。
INtheearliertimesofRomethepriesthoodwasaprofession，notoflucrebutofhonour。Itwasembracedbythenoblestcitizens——itwasforbiddentotheplebeians。Afterwards，andlongprevioustothepresentdate，itwasequallyopentoallranks；atleast，thatpartoftheprofessionwhichembracedtheflamens，orpriests——notofreligiongenerallybutofpeculiargods。EventhepriestofJupiter（theFlamenDialis）precededbyalictor，andentitledbyhisofficetotheentranceofthesenate，atfirsttheespecialdignitaryofthepatricians，wassubsequentlythechoiceofthepeople。Thelessnationalandlesshonoreddeitieswereusuallyservedbyplebeianministers；andmanyembracedtheprofession，asnowtheRomanCatholicChristiansenterthemonasticfraternity，lessfromtheimpulseofdevotionthanthesuggestionsofacalculatingpoverty。ThusCalenus，thepriestofIsis，wasofthelowestorigin。Hisrelations，thoughnothisparents，werefreedmen。Hehadreceivedfromthemaliberaleducation，andfromhisfatherasmallpatrimony，whichhehadsoonexhausted。Heembracedthepriesthoodasalastresourcefromdistress。Whateverthestateemolumentsofthesacredprofession，whichatthattimewereprobablysmall，theofficersofapopulartemplecouldnevercomplainoftheprofitsoftheircalling。Thereisnoprofessionsolucrativeasthatwhichpractisesonthesuperstitionofthemultitude。
CalenushadbutonesurvivingrelativeatPompeii，andthatwasBurbo。
Variousdarkanddisreputableties，strongerthanthoseofblood，unitedtogethertheirheartsandinterests；andoftentheministerofIsisstoledisguisedandfurtivelyfromthesupposedausterityofhisdevotions；andglidingthroughthebackdooroftheretiredgladiator，amaninfamousalikebyvicesandbyprofession，rejoicedtothrowoffthelastragofanhypocrisywhich，butforthedictatesofavarice，hisrulingpassion，wouldatalltimehavesatclumsilyuponanaturetoobrutalforeventhemimicryofvirtue。
WrappedinoneofthoselargemantleswhichcameinuseamongtheRomansinproportionastheydismissedthetoga，whoseamplefoldswellconcealedtheform，andinwhichasortofhood（attachedtoit）affordednolessasecuritytothefeatures，Calenusnowsatinthesmallandprivatechamberofthewine—cellar，whenceasmallpassageranatoncetothatbackentrance，withwhichnearlyallthehousesofPompeiiwerefurnished。
OppositetohimsatthesturdyBurbo，carefullycountingonatablebetweenthemalittlepileofcoinswhichthepriesthadjustpouredfromhispurse——forpurseswereascommonthenasnow，withthisdifference——theywereusuallybetterfurnished！
’Yousee，’saidCalenus，thatwepayyouhandsomely，andyououghttothankmeforrecommendingyoutosoadvantageousamarket。’
’Ido，mycousin，Ido，’repliedBurbo，affectionately，ashesweptthecoinsintoaleathernreceptacle，whichhethendepositedinhisgirdle，drawingthebuckleroundhiscapaciouswaistmorecloselythanhewaswonttodointhelaxhoursofhisdomesticavocations。’AndbyIsis，Pisis，andNisis，orwhateverothergodstheremaybeinEgypt，mylittleNydiaisaveryHesperides——agardenofgoldtome。’
’Shesingswell，andplayslikeamuse，’returnedCalenus；’thosearevirtuesthathewhoemploysmealwayspaysliberally。’
’Heisagod，’criedBurbo，enthusiastically；’everyrichmanwhoisgenerousdeservestobeworshipped。Butcome，acupofwine，oldfriend：
tellmemoreaboutit。Whatdoesshedo？sheisfrightened，talksofheroath，andrevealsnothing。’
’NorwillI，bymyrighthand！I，too，havetakenthatterribleoathofsecrecy。’
’Oath！whatareoathstomenlikeus？’
’Trueoathsofacommonfashion；butthis！’——andthestalwartpriestshudderedashespoke。’Yet，’hecontinued，inemptyingahugecupofunmixedwine，’Iowntothee，thatitisnotsomuchtheoaththatIdreadasthevengeanceofhimwhoproposedit。Bythegods！heisamightysorcerer，andcoulddrawmyconfessionfromthemoon，didIdaretomakeittoher。Talknomoreofthis。ByPollux！wildasthosebanquetsarewhichIenjoywithhim，Iamneverquiteatmyeasethere。Ilove，myboy，onejollyhourwiththee，andoneoftheplain，unsophisticated，laughinggirlsthatImeetinthischamber，allsmoke—driedthoughitbe，betterthanwholenightsofthosemagnificentdebauches。’
’Ho！sayestthouso！To—morrownight，pleasethegods，wewillhavethenasnugcarousal。’
’Withallmyheart，’saidthepriest，rubbinghishands，anddrawinghimselfnearertothetable。
Atthismomenttheyheardaslightnoiseatthedoor，asofonefeelingthehandle。Thepriestloweredthehoodoverhishead。
’Tush！’whisperedthehost，’itisbuttheblindgirl，’asNydiaopenedthedoor，andenteredtheapartment。
’Ho！girl，andhowdurstthou？thoulookestpale——thouhastkeptlaterevels？Nomatter，theyoungmustbealwaystheyoung，’saidBurbo，encouragingly。
Thegirlmadenoanswer，butshedroppedononeoftheseatswithanairoflassitude。Hercolorwentandcamerapidly：shebeatthefloorimpatientlywithhersmallfeet，thenshesuddenlyraisedherface，andsaidwithadeterminedvoice：
’Master，youmaystarvemeifyouwill——youmaybeatme——youmaythreatenmewithdeath——butIwillgonomoretothatunholyplace！’
’How，fool！’saidBurbo，inasavagevoice，andhisheavybrowsmetdarklyoverhisfierceandbloodshoteyes；’how，rebellious！Takecare。’
’Ihavesaidit，’saidthepoorgirl，crossingherhandsonherbreast。
’What！mymodestone，sweetvestal，thouwiltgonomore！Verywell，thoushaltbecarried。’
’Iwillraisethecitywithmycries，’saidshe，passionately；andthecolormountedtoherbrow。
’Wewilltakecareofthattoo；thoushaltgogagged。’
’Thenmaythegodshelpme！’saidNydia，rising；’Iwillappealtothemagistrates。’
’Thineoathremember！’saidahollowvoice，asforthefirsttimeCalenusjoinedinthedialogue。
Atthesewordsatremblingshooktheframeoftheunfortunategirl；sheclaspedherhandsimploringly。’WretchthatIam！’shecried，andburstviolentlyintosobs。
WhetherornotitwasthesoundofthatvehementsorrowwhichbroughtthegentleStratonicetothespot，hergrislyformatthismomentappearedinthechamber。
’Hownow？whathastthoubeendoingwithmyslave，brute？’saidshe，angrily，toBurbo。
’Bequiet，wife，’saidhe，inatonehalf—sullen，half—timid；’youwantnewgirdlesandfineclothes，doyou？Wellthen，takecareofyourslave，oryoumaywantthemlong。Voecapitituo——vengeanceonthyhead，wretchedone！’
’Whatisthis？’saidthehag，lookingfromonetotheother。
Nydiastartedasbyasuddenimpulsefromthewallagainstwhichshehadleaned：shethrewherselfatthefeetofStratonice；sheembracedherknees，andlookingupatherwiththosesightlessbuttouchingeyes：
’Omymistress！’sobbedshe，’youareawoman——youhavehadsisters——youhavebeenyounglikeme，feelforme——saveme！Iwillgotothosehorriblefeastsnomore！’
’Stuff！’saidthehag，draggingheruprudelybyoneofthosedelicatehands，fitfornoharsherlaborthanthatofweavingtheflowerswhichmadeherpleasureorhertrade；’stuff！thesefinescruplesarenotforslaves。’
’Harkye，’saidBurbo，drawingforthhispurse，andchinkingitscontents：
’youhearthismusic，wife；byPollux！ifyoudonotbreakinyoncoltwithatightrein，youwillhearitnomore。’
’Thegirlistired，’saidStratonice，noddingtoCalenus；’shewillbemoredocilewhenyounextwanther。’
’You！you！whoishere？’criedNydia，castinghereyesroundtheapartmentwithsofearfulandstrainingasurvey，thatCalenusroseinalarmfromhisseat。
’Shemustseewiththoseeyes！’mutteredhe。
’Whoishere！Speak，inheaven’sname！Ah，ifyouwereblindlikeme，youwouldbelesscruel，’saidshe；andsheagainburstintotears。
’Takeheraway，’saidBurbo，impatiently；’Ihatethesewhimperings。’
’Come！’saidStratonice，pushingthepoorchildbytheshoulders。Nydiadrewherselfaside，withanairtowhichresolutiongavedignity。
’Hearme，’shesaid；’Ihaveservedyoufaithfully——Iwhowasbroughtup——Ah！mymother，mypoormother！didstthoudreamIshouldcometothis？’
Shedashedthetearfromhereyes，andproceeded：’Commandmeinaughtelse，andIwillobey；butItellyounow，hard，stern，inexorableasyouare——I
tellyouthatIwillgotherenomore；or，ifIamforcedthere，thatIwillimplorethemercyofthepraetorhimself——Ihavesaidit。Hearme，yegods，Iswear！’
Thehag’seyesglowedwithfire；sheseizedthechildbythehairwithonehand，andraisedonhightheother——thatformidablerighthand，theleastblowofwhichseemedcapabletocrushthefrailanddelicateformthattrembledinhergrasp。Thatthoughtitselfappearedtostrikeher，forshesuspendedtheblow，changedherpurpose，anddraggingNydiatothewall，seizedfromahookarope，often，alas！appliedtoasimilarpurpose，andthenextmomenttheshrill，theagonizedshrieksoftheblindgirl，rangpiercinglythroughthehouse。
ChapterIII
GLAUCUSMAKESAPURCHASETHATAFTERWARDSCOSTSHIMDEAR。
’HOLLA，mybravefellows！’saidLepidus，stoopinghisheadasheenteredthelowdoorwayofthehouseofBurbo。’Wehavecometoseewhichofyoumosthonorsyourlanista。’ThegladiatorsrosefromthetableinrespecttothreegallantsknowntobeamongthegayestandrichestyouthsofPompeii，andwhosevoiceswerethereforethedispensersofamphitheatricalreputation。
’Whatfineanimals！’saidClodiustoGlaucus：’worthytobegladiators！’
’Itisapitytheyarenotwarriors，’returnedGlaucus。
AsingularthingitwastoseethedaintyandfastidiousLepidus，whominabanquetarayofdaylightseemedtoblind——whominthebathabreezeofairseemedtoblast——inwhomNatureseemedtwistedandpervertedfromeverynaturalimpulse，andcurdledintoonedubiousthingofeffeminacyandart——asingularthingwasittoseethisLepidus，nowalleagerness，andenergy，andlife，pattingthevastshouldersofthegladiatorswithablanchedandgirlishhand，feelingwithamincinggripetheirgreatbrawnandironmuscles，alllostincalculatingadmirationatthatmanhoodwhichhehadspenthislifeincarefullybanishingfromhimself。
SohaveweseenatthisdaythebeardlessflutterersofthesaloonsofLondonthrongingroundtheheroesoftheFives—court——sohaveweseenthemadmire，andgaze，andcalculateabet——sohaveweseenthemmeettogether，inludicrousyetinmelancholyassemblage，thetwoextremesofcivilizedsociety——thepatronsofpleasureanditsslaves——vilestofallslaves——atonceferociousandmercenary；maleprostitutes，whoselltheirstrengthaswomentheirbeauty；beastsinact，butbaserthanbeastsinmotive，forthelast，atleast，donotmanglethemselvesformoney！
’Ha！Niger，howwillyoufight？’saidLepidus：’andwithwhom？’
’Sporuschallengesme，’saidthegrimgiant；’weshallfighttothedeath，I
hope。’
’Ah！tobesure，’gruntedSporus，withatwinkleofhissmalleye。
’Hetakesthesword，Ithenetandthetrident：itwillberaresport。I
hopethesurvivorwillhaveenoughtokeepupthedignityofthecrown。’
’Neverfear，we’llfillthepurse，myHector，’saidClodius：
’letmesee——youfightagainstNiger？Glaucus，abet——IbackNiger。’
’Itoldyouso，’criedNigerexultingly。’ThenobleClodiusknowsme；countyourselfdeadalready，mySporus。’
Clodiustookouthistablet。’Abet——tensestertia。Whatsayyou？’
’Sobeit，’saidGlaucus。’Butwhomhavewehere？Ineversawthisherobefore’；andheglancedatLydon，whoselimbswereslighterthanthoseofhiscompanions，andwhohadsomethingofgrace，andsomethingevenofnobleness，inhisface，whichhisprofessionhadnotyetwhollydestroyed。
’ItisLydon，ayoungster，practisedonlywiththewoodenswordasyet，’
answeredNiger，condescendingly。’Buthehasthetruebloodinhim，andhaschallengedTetraides。’
’Hechallengedme，’saidLydon：’Iaccepttheoffer。’
’Andhowdoyoufight？’askedLepidus。’Chut，myboy，waitawhilebeforeyoucontendwithTetraides。’Lydonsmileddisdainfully。
’Isheacitizenoraslave？’saidClodius。
’Acitizen——weareallcitizenshere，’quothNiger。
’Stretchoutyourarm，myLydon，’saidLepidus，withtheairofaconnoisseur。
Thegladiator，withasignificantglanceathiscompanions，extendedanarmwhich，ifnotsohugeinitsgirthasthoseofhiscomrades，wassofirminitsmuscles，sobeautifullysymmetricalinitsproportions，thatthethreevisitorsutteredsimultaneouslyanadmiringexclamation。
’Well，man，whatisyourweapon？’saidClodius，tabletinhand。
’Wearetofightfirstwiththecestus；afterwards，ifbothsurvive，withswords，’returnedTetraides，sharply，andwithanenviousscowl。
’Withthecestus！’criedGlaucus；’thereyouarewrong，Lydon；thecestusistheGreekfashion：Iknowitwell。Youshouldhaveencouragedfleshforthatcontest：youarefartoothinforit——avoidthecestus。’
’Icannot，’saidLydon。
’Andwhy？’
’Ihavesaid——becausehehaschallengedme。’
’Buthewillnotholdyoutothepreciseweapon。’
’Myhonourholdsme！’returnedLydon，proudly。
’IbetonTetraides，twotoone，atthecestus，’saidClodius；shallitbe，Lepidus？——evenbetting，withswords。’
’Ifyougivemethreetoone，Iwillnottaketheodds，saidLepidus：’Lydonwillnevercometotheswords。Youaremightycourteous。’
’Whatsayyou，Glaucus？’saidClodius。
’Iwilltaketheoddsthreetoone。’
’Tensestertiatothirty。’
’Yes。’
Clodiuswrotethebetinhisbook。
’Pardonme，noblesponsormine，’saidLydon，inalowvoicetoGlaucus：’buthowmuchthinkyouthevictorwillgain？’
’Howmuch？why，perhapssevensestertia。’
’Youaresureitwillbeasmuch？’
’Atleast。Butoutonyou！——aGreekwouldhavethoughtofthehonour，andnotthemoney。OItalians！everywhereyeareItalians！’
Ablushmantledoverthebronzedcheekofthegladiator。
’Donotwrongme，nobleGlaucus；Ithinkofboth，butIshouldneverhavebeenagladiatorbutforthemoney。’
’Base！mayestthoufall！Amiserneverwasahero。’
’Iamnotamiser，’saidLydon，haughtily，andhewithdrewtotheotherendoftheroom。
’ButIdon’tseeBurbo；whereisBurbo？ImusttalkwithBurbo，’criedClodius。
’Heiswithin，’saidNiger，pointingtothedoorattheextremityoftheroom。
’AndStratonice，thebraveoldlass，whereisshe？’quothLepidus。
’Why，shewasherejustbeforeyouentered；butsheheardsomethingthatdispleasedheryonder，andvanished。Pollux！oldBurbohadperhapscaughtholdofsomegirlinthebackroom。Iheardafemale’svoicecryingout；
theolddameisasjealousasJuno。’
’Ho！excellent！’criedLepidus，laughing。’Come，Clodius，letusgoshareswithJupiter；perhapshehascaughtaLeda。’
Atthismomentaloudcryofpainandterrorstartledthegroup。
’Oh，spareme！spareme！Iambutachild，Iamblind——isnotthatpunishmentenough？’
’OPallas！Iknowthatvoice，itismypoorflower—girl！’exclaimedGlaucus，andhedartedatonceintothequarterwhencethecryrose。
Heburstthedoor；hebeheldNydiawrithinginthegraspoftheinfuriatehag；thecord，alreadydabbledwithblood，wasraisedintheair——itwassuddenlyarrested。
’Fury！’saidGlaucus，andwithhislefthandhecaughtNydiafromhergrasp；
’howdareyouusethusagirl——oneofyourownsex，achild！MyNydia，mypoorinfant！’
’Oh？isthatyou——isthatGlaucus？’exclaimedtheflower—girl，inatonealmostoftransport；thetearsstoodarrestedonhercheek；shesmiled，sheclungtohisbreast，shekissedhisrobeassheclung。
’Andhowdareyou，pertstranger！interferebetweenafreewomanandherslave。Bythegods！despiteyourfinetunicandyourfilthyperfumes，I
doubtwhetheryouareevenaRomancitizen，mymannikin。’
’Fairwords，mistress——fairwords！’saidClodius，nowenteringwithLepidus。
’Thisismyfriendandswornbrother；hemustbeputundershelterofyourtongue，sweetone；itrainsstones！’
’Givememyslave！’shriekedthevirago，placinghermightygrasponthebreastoftheGreek。
’NotifallyoursisterFuriescouldhelpyou，’answeredGlaucus。’Fearnot，sweetNydia；anAthenianneverforsookdistress！’
’Holla！’saidBurbo，risingreluctantly，’Whatturmoilisallthisaboutaslave？Letgotheyounggentleman，wife——lethimgo：forhissakethepertthingshallbesparedthisonce。’Sosaying，hedrew，orratherdraggedoff，hisferocioushelp—mate。
’Methoughtwhenweentered，’saidClodius，’therewasanothermanpresent？’
’Heisgone。’
ForthepriestofIsishadindeedthoughtithightimetovanish。
’Oh，afriendofmine！abrothercupman，aquietdog，whodoesnotlovethesesnarlings，’saidBurbo，carelessly。’Butgo，child，youwilltearthegentleman’stunicifyouclingtohimsotight；go，youarepardoned。’
’Oh，donot——donotforsakeme！’criedNydia，clingingyetclosertotheAthenian。
Movedbyherforlornsituation，herappealtohim，herowninnumerableandtouchinggraces，theGreekseatedhimselfononeoftherudechairs。Heheldheronhisknees——hewipedthebloodfromhershoulderswithhislonghair——hekissedthetearsfromhercheeks——hewhisperedtoherathousandofthosesoothingwordswithwhichwecalmthegriefofachild——andsobeautifuldidheseeminhisgentleandconsolingtask，thateventhefierceheartofStratonicewastouched。Hispresenceseemedtoshedlightoverthatbaseandobscenehaunt——young，beautiful，glorious，hewastheemblemofallthatearthmademosthappy，comfortingonethatearthhadabandoned！
’Well，whocouldhavethoughtourblindNydiahadbeensohonored！’saidthevirago，wipingherheatedbrow。
GlaucuslookedupatBurbo。
’Mygoodman，’saidhe，’thisisyourslave；shesingswell，sheisaccustomedtothecareofflowers——Iwishtomakeapresentofsuchaslavetoalady。Willyousellhertome？’Ashespokehefeltthewholeframeofthepoorgirltremblewithdelight；shestartedup，sheputherdisheveledhairfromhereyes，shelookedaround，asif，alas，shehadthepowertosee！
’SellourNydia！no，indeed，’saidStratonice，gruffly。
Nydiasankbackwithalongsigh，andagainclaspedtherobeofherprotector。
’Nonsense！’saidClodius，imperiously：’youmustobligeme。What，man！what，olddame！offendme，andyourtradeisruined。IsnotBurbomykinsmanPansa’sclient？AmInottheoracleoftheamphitheatreanditsheroes？IfIsaytheword，breakupyourwine—jars——yousellnomore。Glaucus，theslaveisyours。’
Burboscratchedhishugehead，inevidentembarrassment。
’Thegirlisworthherweightingoldtome。’
’Nameyourprice，Iamrich，’saidGlaucus。
TheancientItalianswerelikethemodern，therewasnothingtheywouldnotsell，muchlessapoorblindgirl。
’Ipaidsixsestertiaforher，sheisworthtwelvenow，’mutteredStratonice。
’Youshallhavetwenty；cometothemagistratesatonce，andthentomyhouseforyourmoney。’
’IwouldnothavesoldthedeargirlforahundredbuttoobligenobleClodius，’saidBurbo，whiningly。’AndyouwillspeaktoPansaabouttheplaceofdesignatorattheamphitheatre，nobleClodius？itwouldjustsuitme。’
’Thoushalthaveit，’saidClodius；addinginawhispertoBurbo，’YonGreekcanmakeyourfortune；moneyrunsthroughhimlikeasieve：markto—daywithwhitechalk，myPriam。’
’Andabis？’saidGlaucus，intheformalquestionofsaleandbarter。
’Dabitur，’answeredBurbo。
’Then，then，Iamtogowithyou——withyou？Ohappiness！’murmuredNydia。
’Prettyone，yes；andthyhardesttaskhenceforthshallbetosingthyGrecianhymnstotheloveliestladyinPompeii。’
Thegirlsprangfromhisclasp；achangecameoverherwholeface，brighttheinstantbefore；shesighedheavily，andthenoncemoretakinghishand，shesaid：
’IthoughtIwastogotoyourhouse？’
’Andsothoushaltforthepresent；come，welosetime。’
ChapterIV
THERIVALOFGLAUCUSPRESSESONWARDINTHERACE。
IONEwasoneofthosebrilliantcharacterswhich，butonceortwice，flashacrossourcareer。Sheunitedinthehighestperfectiontherarestofearthlygifts——GeniusandBeauty。Nooneeverpossessedsuperiorintellectualqualitieswithoutknowingthem——thealliterationofmodestyandmeritisprettyenough，butwheremeritisgreat，theveilofthatmodestyyouadmireneverdisguisesitsextentfromitspossessor。Itistheproudconsciousnessofcertainqualitiesthatitcannotrevealtotheeverydayworld，thatgivestogeniusthatshy，andreserved，andtroubledair，whichpuzzlesandflattersyouwhenyouencounterit。
Ione，then，knewhergenius；but，withthatcharmingversatilitythatbelongsofrighttowomen，shehadthefacultysofewofakindredgeniusinthelessmalleablesexcanclaim——thefacultytobendandmodelhergracefulintellecttoallwhomitencountered。Thesparklingfountainthrewitswatersalikeuponthestrand，thecavern，andtheflowers；itrefreshed，itsmiled，itdazzledeverywhere。Thatpride，whichisthenecessaryresultofsuperiority，sheworeeasily——inherbreastitconcentreditselfinindependence。Shepursuedthusherownbrightandsolitarypath。Sheaskednoagedmatrontodirectandguideher——shewalkedalonebythetorchofherownunflickeringpurity。Sheobeyednotyrannicalandabsolutecustom。Shemouldedcustomtoherownwill，butthissodelicatelyandwithsofeminineagrace，soperfectanexemptionfromerror，thatyoucouldnotsaysheoutragedcustombutcommandedit。Thewealthofhergraceswasinexhaustible——shebeautifiedthecommonestaction；aword，alookfromher，seemedmagic。Loveher，andyouenteredintoanewworld，youpassedfromthistriteandcommonplaceearth。Youwereinalandinwhichyoureyessaweverythingthroughanenchantedmedium。Inherpresenceyoufeltasiflisteningtoexquisitemusic；youweresteepedinthatsentimentwhichhassolittleofearthinit，andwhichmusicsowellinspires——thatintoxicationwhichrefinesandexalts，whichseizes，itistrue，thesenses，butgivesthemthecharacterofthesoul。
Shewaspeculiarlyformed，then，tocommandandfascinatethelessordinaryandtheboldernaturesofmen；toloveherwastounitetwopassions，thatofloveandofambition——youaspiredwhenyouadoredher。ItwasnowonderthatshehadcompletelychainedandsubduedthemysteriousbutburningsouloftheEgyptian，amaninwhomdweltthefiercestpassions。Herbeautyandhersoulalikeenthralledhim。
Setaparthimselffromthecommonworld，helovedthatdaringnessofcharacterwhichalsomadeitself，amongcommonthings，aloofandalone。Hedidnot，orhewouldnotsee，thatthatveryisolationputheryetmorefromhimthanfromthevulgar。Farasthepoles——farasthenightfromday，hissolitudewasdividedfromhers。Hewassolitaryfromhisdarkandsolemnvices——shefromherbeautifulfanciesandherpurityofvirtue。
IfitwasnotstrangethatIonethusenthralledtheEgyptian，farlessstrangewasitthatshehadcaptured，assuddenlyasirrevocably，thebrightandsunnyheartoftheAthenian。ThegladnessofatemperamentwhichseemedwovenfromthebeamsoflighthadledGlaucusintopleasure。Heobeyednomoreviciousdictateswhenhewanderedintothedissipationsofhistime，thantheexhilaratingvoicesofyouthandhealth。Hethrewthebrightnessofhisnatureovereveryabyssandcavernthroughwhichhestrayed。Hisimaginationdazzledhim，buthisheartneverwascorrupted。
Offarmorepenetrationthanhiscompanionsdeemed，hesawthattheysoughttopreyuponhisrichesandhisyouth：buthedespisedwealthsaveasthemeansofenjoyment，andyouthwasthegreatsympathythatunitedhimtothem。Hefelt，itistrue，theimpulseofnoblerthoughtsandhigheraimsthaninpleasurecouldbeindulged：buttheworldwasonevastprison，towhichtheSovereignofRomewastheImperialgaoler；andtheveryvirtues，whichinthefreedaysofAthenswouldhavemadehimambitious，intheslaveryofearthmadehiminactiveandsupine。Forinthatunnaturalandbloatedcivilization，allthatwasnobleinemulationwasforbidden。