Ambitionintheregionsofadespoticandluxuriouscourtwasbutthecontestofflatteryandcraft。Avaricehadbecomethesoleambition——mendesiredpraetorshipsandprovincesonlyasthelicensetopillage，andgovernmentwasbuttheexcuseofrapine。Itisinsmallstatesthatgloryismostactiveandpure——themoreconfinedthelimitsofthecircle，themoreardentthepatriotism。Insmallstates，opinionisconcentratedandstrong——everyeyereadsyouractions——yourpublicmotivesareblendedwithyourprivateties——everyspotinyournarrowsphereiscrowdedwithformsfamiliarsinceyourchildhood——theapplauseofyourcitizensislikethecaressesofyourfriends。Butinlargestates，thecityisbutthecourt：
theprovinces——unknowntoyou，unfamiliarincustoms，perhapsinlanguage——havenoclaimonyourpatriotism，theancestryoftheirinhabitantsisnotyours。Inthecourtyoudesirefavorinsteadofglory；
atadistancefromthecourt，publicopinionhasvanishedfromyou，andself—interesthasnocounterpoise。
Italy，Italy，whileIwrite，yourskiesareoverme——yourseasflowbeneathmyfeet，listennottotheblindpolicywhichwoulduniteallyourcrestedcities，mourningfortheirrepublics，intooneempire；false，perniciousdelusion！youronlyhopeofregenerationisindivision。Florence，Milan，Venice，Genoa，maybefreeoncemore，ifeachisfree。Butdreamnotoffreedomforthewholewhileyouenslavetheparts；theheartmustbethecentreofthesystem，thebloodmustcirculatefreelyeverywhere；andinvastcommunitiesyoubeholdbutabloatedandfeeblegiant，whosebrainisimbecile，whoselimbsaredead，andwhopaysindiseaseandweaknessthepenaltyoftranscendingthenaturalproportionsofhealthandvigour。
Thusthrownbackuponthemselves，themoreardentqualitiesofGlaucusfoundnovent，saveinthatoverflowingimaginationwhichgavegracetopleasure，andpoetrytothought。Easewaslessdespicablethancontentionwithparasitesandslaves，andluxurycouldyetberefinedthoughambitioncouldnotbeennobled。ButallthatwasbestandbrightestinhissoulwokeatoncewhenheknewIone。Herewasanempire，worthyofdemigodstoattain；
herewasaglory，whichthereekingsmokeofafoulsocietycouldnotsoilordim。Love，ineverytime，ineverystate，canthusfindspaceforitsgoldenaltars。Andtellmeifthereever，evenintheagesmostfavorabletoglory，couldbeatriumphmoreexaltedandelatingthantheconquestofonenobleheart？
Andwhetheritwasthatthissentimentinspiredhim，hisideasglowedmorebrightly，hissoulseemedmoreawakeandmorevisible，inIone’spresence。
Ifnaturaltoloveher，itwasnaturalthatsheshouldreturnthepassion。
Young，brilliant，eloquent，enamoured，andAthenian，hewastoherastheincarnationofthepoetryofherfather’sland。Theywerenotlikecreaturesofaworldinwhichstrifeandsorrowaretheelements；theywerelikethingstobeseenonlyintheholidayofnature，sogloriousandsofreshweretheiryouth，theirbeauty，andtheirlove。Theyseemedoutofplaceintheharshandevery—dayearth；theybelongedofrighttotheSaturnianage，andthedreamsofdemigodandnymph。Itwasasifthepoetryoflifegatheredandfeditselfinthem，andintheirheartswereconcentratedthelastraysofthesunofDelosandofGreece。
ButifIonewasindependentinherchoiceoflife，sowashermodestprideproportionablyvigilantandeasilyalarmed。ThefalsehoodoftheEgyptianwasinventedbyadeepknowledgeofhernature。Thestoryofcoarseness，ofindelicacy，inGlaucus，stunghertothequick。Shefeltitareproachuponhercharacterandhercareer，apunishmentabovealltoherlove；shefelt，forthefirsttime，howsuddenlyshehadyieldedtothatlove；sheblushedwithshameataweakness，theextentofwhichshewasstartledtoperceive：
sheimagineditwasthatweaknesswhichhadincurredthecontemptofGlaucus；sheenduredthebitterestcurseofnoblenatures——humiliation！Yetherlove，perhaps，wasnolessalarmedthanherpride。IfonemomentshemurmuredreproachesuponGlaucus——ifonemomentsherenounced，shealmosthatedhim——atthenextsheburstintopassionatetears，herheartyieldedtoitssoftness，andshesaidinthebitternessofanguish，’Hedespisesme——hedoesnotloveme。’
FromthehourtheEgyptianhadlefthershehadretiredtohermostsecludedchamber，shehadshutoutherhandmaids，shehaddeniedherselftothecrowdsthatbesiegedherdoor。Glaucuswasexcludedwiththerest；hewondered，butheguessednotwhy！HeneverattributedtohisIone——hisqueen——hisgoddess——thatwoman——likecapriceofwhichthelove—poetsofItalysounceasinglycomplain。Heimaginedher，inthemajestyofhercandour，abovealltheartsthattorture。Hewastroubled，buthishopeswerenotdimmed，forheknewalreadythathelovedandwasbeloved；whatmorecouldhedesireasanamuletagainstfear？
Atdeepestnight，then，whenthestreetswerehushed，andthehighmoononlybeheldhisdevotions，hestoletothattempleofhisheart——herhome；andwooedherafterthebeautifulfashionofhiscountry。Hecoveredherthresholdwiththerichestgarlands，inwhicheveryflowerwasavolumeofsweetpassion；andhecharmedthelongsummernightwiththesoundoftheLydianlute：andverses，whichtheinspirationofthemomentsufficedtoweave。
Butthewindowaboveopenednot；nosmilemadeyetmoreholytheshiningairofnight。Allwasstillanddark。Heknewnotifhisversewaswelcomeandhissuitwasheard。
YetIonesleptnot，nordisdainedtohear。Thosesoftstrainsascendedtoherchamber；theysoothed，theysubduedher。Whileshelistened，shebelievednothingagainstherlover；butwhentheywerestilledatlast，andhisstepdeparted，thespellceased；and，inthebitternessofhersoul，shealmostconceivedinthatdelicateflatteryanewaffront。
Isaidshewasdeniedtoall；buttherewasoneexception，therewasonepersonwhowouldnotbedenied，assumingoverheractionsandherhousesomethingliketheauthorityofaparent；Arbaces，forhimself，claimedanexemptionfromalltheceremoniesobservedbyothers。Heenteredthethresholdwiththelicenseofonewhofeelsthatheisprivilegedandathome。Hemadehiswaytohersolitudeandwiththatsortofquietandunapologeticairwhichseemedtoconsidertherightasathingofcourse。
WithalltheindependenceofIone’scharacter，hishearthadenabledhimtoobtainasecretandpowerfulcontroloverhermind。Shecouldnotshakeitoff；sometimesshedesiredtodoso；butsheneveractivelystruggledagainstit。Shewasfascinatedbyhisserpenteye。Hearrested，hecommandedher，bythemagicofamindlongaccustomedtoaweandtosubdue。
Utterlyunawareofhisrealcharacterorhishiddenlove，shefeltforhimthereverencewhichgeniusfeelsforwisdom，andvirtueforsanctity。Sheregardedhimasoneofthosemightysagesofold，whoattainedtothemysteriesofknowledgebyanexemptionfromthepassionsoftheirkind。Shescarcelyconsideredhimasabeing，likeherself，oftheearth，butasanoracleatoncedarkandsacred。Shedidnotlovehim，butshefeared。Hispresencewasunwelcometoher；itdimmedherspiriteveninitsbrightestmood；heseemed，withhischillingandloftyaspect，likesomeeminencewhichcastsashadowoverthesun。Butsheneverthoughtofforbiddinghisvisits。Shewaspassiveundertheinfluencewhichcreatedinherbreast，nottherepugnance，butsomethingofthestillnessofterror。
Arbaceshimselfnowresolvedtoexertallhisartstopossesshimselfofthattreasurehesoburninglycoveted。Hewascheeredandelatedbyhisconquestsoverherbrother。FromthehourinwhichApaecidesfellbeneaththevoluptuoussorceryofthatfetewhichwehavedescribed，hefelthisempireovertheyoungpriesttriumphantandinsured。Heknewthatthereisnovictimsothoroughlysubduedasayoungandferventmanforthefirsttimedeliveredtothethraldomofthesenses。
WhenApaecidesrecovered，withthemorninglight，fromtheprofoundsleepwhichsucceededtothedeliriumofwonderandofpleasure，hewas，itistrue，ashamed——terrified——appalled。Hisvowsofausterityandcelibacyechoedinhisear；histhirstafterholiness——haditbeenquenchedatsounhallowedastream？ButArbacesknewwellthemeansbywhichtoconfirmhisconquest。Fromtheartsofpleasureheledtheyoungpriestatoncetothoseofhismysteriouswisdom。HebaredtohisamazedeyestheinitiatorysecretsofthesombrephilosophyoftheNile——thosesecretspluckedfromthestars，andthewildchemistry，which，inthosedays，whenReasonherselfwasbutthecreatureofImagination，mightwellpassfortheloreofadivinermagic。Heseemedtotheyoungeyesofthepriestasabeingabovemortality，andendowedwithsupernaturalgifts。Thatyearningandintensedesirefortheknowledgewhichisnotofearth——whichhadburnedfromhisboyhoodintheheartofthepriest——wasdazzled，untilitconfusedandmasteredhisclearersense。Hegavehimselftotheartwhichthusaddressedatoncethetwostrongestofhumanpassions，thatofpleasureandthatofknowledge。Hewaslothtobelievethatonesowisecoulderr，thatonesoloftycouldstooptodeceive。Entangledinthedarkwebofmetaphysicalmoralities，hecaughtattheexcusebywhichtheEgyptianconvertedviceintoavirtue。HispridewasinsensiblyflatteredthatArbaceshaddeignedtorankhimwithhimself，tosethimapartfromthelawswhichboundthevulgar，tomakehimanaugustparticipator，bothinthemysticstudiesandthemagicfascinationsoftheEgyptian’ssolitude。ThepureandsternlessonsofthatcreedtowhichOlinthushadsoughttomakehimconvert，weresweptawayfromhismemorybythedelugeofnewpassions。AndtheEgyptian，whowasversedinthearticlesofthattruefaith，andwhosoonlearnedfromhispupiltheeffectwhichhadbeenproduceduponhimbyitsbelievers，sought，notunskilfully，toundothateffect，byatoneofreasoning，half—sarcasticandhalf—earnest。
’Thisfaith，’saidhe，’isbutaborrowedplagiarismfromoneofthemanyallegoriesinventedbyourpriestsofold。Observe，’headded，pointingtoahieroglyphicalscroll——’observeintheseancientfigurestheoriginoftheChristian’sTrinity。Herearealsothreegods——theDeity，theSpirit，andtheSon。Observe，thattheepithetoftheSonis\"Saviour\"——observe，thatthesignbywhichhishumanqualitiesaredenotedisthecross。’Notehere，too，themystichistoryofOsiris，howheputondeath；howhelayinthegrave；andhow，thusfulfillingasolemnatonement，heroseagainfromthedead！Inthesestorieswebutdesigntopaintanallegoryfromtheoperationsofnatureandtheevolutionsoftheeternalheavens。Buttheallegoryunknown，thetypesthemselveshavefurnishedtocredulousnationsthematerialsofmanycreeds。TheyhavetravelledtothevastplainsofIndia；theyhavemixedthemselvesupinthevisionaryspeculationsoftheGreek；becomingmoreandmoregrossandembodied，astheyemergefartherfromtheshadowsoftheirantiqueorigin，theyhaveassumedahumanandpalpableforminthisnovelfaith；andthebelieversofGalileearebuttheunconsciousrepeatersofoneofthesuperstitionsoftheNile！’
Thiswasthelastargumentwhichcompletelysubduedthepriest。Itwasnecessarytohim，astoall，tobelieveinsomething；andundividedand，atlast，unreluctant，hesurrenderedhimselftothatbeliefwhichArbacesinculcated，andwhichallthatwashumaninpassion——allthatwasflatteringinvanity——allthatwasalluringinpleasure，servedtoinviteto，andcontributedtoconfirm。
Thisconquest，thuseasilymade，theEgyptiancouldnowgivehimselfwhollyuptothepursuitofafardearerandmightierobject；andhehailed，inhissuccesswiththebrother，anomenofhistriumphoverthesister。
HehadseenIoneonthedayfollowingtherevelwehavewitnessed；andwhichwasalsothedayafterhehadpoisonedhermindagainsthisrival。Thenextday，andthenext，hesawheralso：andeachtimehelaidhimselfoutwithconsummateart，partlytoconfirmherimpressionagainstGlaucus，andprincipallytoprepareherfortheimpressionshedesiredhertoreceive。
TheproudIonetookcaretoconcealtheanguishsheendured；andtheprideofwomanhasanhypocrisywhichcandeceivethemostpenetrating，andshamethemostastute。ButArbaceswasnolesscautiousnottorecurtoasubjectwhichhefeltitwasmostpolitictotreatasofthelightestimportance。
Heknewthatbydwellingmuchuponthefaultofarival，youonlygivehimdignityintheeyesofyourmistress：thewisestplanis，neitherloudlytohate，norbitterlytocontemn；thewisestplanistolowerhimbyanindifferenceoftone，asifyoucouldnotdreamthathecouldbeloved。
Yoursafetyisinconcealingthewoundtoyourownpride，andimperceptiblyalarmingthatoftheumpire，whosevoiceisfate！Such，inalltimes，willbethepolicyofonewhoknowsthescienceofthesex——itwasnowtheEgyptian’s。
Herecurrednomore，then，tothepresumptionofGlaucus；hementionedhisname，butnotmoreoftenthanthatofClodiusorofLepidus。Heaffectedtoclassthemtogetherasthingsofalowandephemeralspecies；asthingswantingnothingofthebutterfly，saveitsinnocenceanditsgrace。
Sometimesheslightlyalludedtosomeinventeddebauch，inwhichhedeclaredthemcompanions；sometimesheadvertedtothemastheantipodesofthoseloftyandspiritualnatures，towhoseorderthatofIonebelonged。BlindedalikebytheprideofIone，and，perhaps，byhisown，hedreamednotthatshealreadyloved；buthedreadedlestshemighthaveformedforGlaucusthefirstflutteringprepossessionsthatleadtolove。And，secretly，hegroundhisteethinrageandjealousy，whenhereflectedontheyouth，thefascinations，andthebrilliancyofthatformidablerivalwhomhepretendedtoundervalue。
Itwasonthefourthdayfromthedateofthecloseofthepreviousbook，thatArbacesandIonesattogether。
’Youwearyourveilathome，’saidtheEgyptian；’thatisnotfairtothosewhomyouhonourwithyourfriendship。’
’ButtoArbaces，’answeredIone，who，indeed，hadcasttheveiloverherfeaturestoconcealeyesredwithweeping——’toArbaces，wholooksonlytothemind，whatmattersitthatthefaceisconcealed？’
’Idolookonlytothemind，’repliedtheEgyptian：’showmethenyourface——forthereIshallseeit。’
’YougrowgallantintheairofPompeii，’saidIone，withaforcedtoneofgaiety。
’Doyouthink，fairIone，thatitisonlyatPompeiithatIhavelearnedtovalueyou？’TheEgyptian’svoicetrembled——hepausedforamoment，andthenresumed。
’Thereisalove，beautifulGreek，whichisnottheloveonlyofthethoughtlessandtheyoung——thereisalovewhichseesnotwiththeeyes，whichhearsnotwiththeears；butinwhichsoulisenamouredofsoul。Thecountrymanofthyancestors，thecave—nursedPlato，dreamedofsuchalove——hisfollowershavesoughttoimitateit；butitisalovethatisnotfortheherdtoecho——itisalovethatonlyhighandnoblenaturescanconceive——ithathnothingincommonwiththesympathiesandtiesofcoarseaffection——wrinklesdonotrevoltit——homelinessoffeaturedoesnotdeter；
itasksyouth，itistrue，butitasksitonlyinthefreshnessoftheemotions；itasksbeauty，itistrue，butitisthebeautyofthethoughtandofthespirit。Suchisthelove，OIone，whichisaworthyofferingtotheefromthecoldandtheaustere。Austereandcoldthoudeemestme——suchisthelovethatIventuretolayuponthyshrine——thoucanstreceiveitwithoutablush。’
’Anditsnameisfriendship！’repliedIone：heranswerwasinnocent，yetitsoundedlikethereproofofoneconsciousofthedesignofthespeaker。
’Friendship！’saidArbaces，vehemently。’No；thatisawordtoooftenprofanedtoapplytoasentimentsosacred。Friendship！itisatiethatbindsfoolsandprofligates！Friendship！itisthebondthatunitesthefrivolousheartsofaGlaucusandaClodius！Friendship！no，thatisanaffectionofearth，ofvulgarhabitsandsordidsympathies；thefeelingofwhichIspeakisborrowedfromthestars’——itpartakesofthatmysticandineffableyearning，whichwefeelwhenwegazeonthem——itburns，yetitpurifies——itisthelampofnaphthainthealabastervase，glowingwithfragrantodorous，butshiningonlythroughthepurestvessels。No；itisnotlove，anditisnotfriendship，thatArbacesfeelsforIone。Giveitnoname——earthhasnonameforit——itisnotofearth——whydebaseitwithearthlyepithetsandearthlyassociations？’
NeverbeforehadArbacesventuredsofar，yethefelthisgroundstepbystep：heknewthatheutteredalanguagewhich，ifatthisdayofaffectedplatonismsitwouldspeakunequivocallytotheearsofbeauty，wasatthattimestrangeandunfamiliar，towhichnopreciseideacouldbeattached，fromwhichhecouldimperceptiblyadvanceorrecede，asoccasionsuited，ashopeencouragedorfeardeterred。Ionetrembled，thoughsheknewnotwhy；
herveilhidherfeatures，andmaskedanexpression，which，ifseenbytheEgyptian，wouldhaveatoncedampedandenragedhim；infact，heneverwasmoredispleasingtoher——theharmoniousmodulationofthemostsuasivevoicethateverdisguisedunhallowedthoughtfelldiscordantlyonherear。HerwholesoulwasstillfilledwiththeimageofGlaucus；andtheaccentoftendernessfromanotheronlyrevoltedanddismayed；yetshedidnotconceivethatanypassionmoreardentthanthatplatonismwhichArbacesexpressedlurkedbeneathhiswords。Shethoughtthathe，intruth，spokeonlyoftheaffectionandsympathyofthesoul；butwasitnotpreciselythataffectionandthatsympathywhichhadmadeapartofthoseemotionsshefeltforGlaucus；andcouldanyotherfootstepthanhisapproachthehauntedadytumofherheart？
Anxiousatoncetochangetheconversation，shereplied，therefore，withacoldandindifferentvoice，’WhomsoeverArbaceshonorswiththesentimentofesteem，itisnaturalthathiselevatedwisdomshouldcolorthatsentimentwithitsownhues；itisnaturalthathisfriendshipshouldbepurerthanthatofothers，whosepursuitsanderrorshedoesnotdeigntoshare。Buttellme，Arbaces，hastthouseenmybrotheroflate？Hehasnotvisitedmeforseveraldays；andwhenIlastsawhimhismannerdisturbedandalarmedmemuch。Ifearlesthewastooprecipitateintheseverechoicethathehasadopted，andthatherepentsanirrevocablestep。’
’Becheered，Ione，’repliedtheEgyptian。’Itistruethat，somelittletimesincehewastroubledandsadofspirit；thosedoubtsbesethimwhichwerelikelytohauntoneofthatferventtemperament，whicheverebbsandflows，andvibratesbetweenexcitementandexhaustion。Buthe，Ione，hecametomehisanxietiesandhisdistress；hesoughtonewhopitiedmeandlovedhim；Ihavecalmedhismind——Ihaveremovedhisdoubts——IhavetakenhimfromthethresholdofWisdomintoitstemple；andbeforethemajestyofthegoddesshissoulishushedandsoothed。Fearnot，hewillrepentnomore；theywhotrustthemselvestoArbacesneverrepentbutforamoment。’
’Yourejoiceme，’answeredIone。’Mydearbrother！inhiscontentmentIamhappy。’
Theconversationthenturneduponlightersubjects；theEgyptianexertedhimselftoplease，hecondescendedeventoentertain；thevastvarietyofhisknowledgeenabledhimtoadornandlightupeverysubjectonwhichhetouched；andIone，forgettingthedispleasingeffectofhisformerwords，wascarriedaway，despitehersadness，bythemagicofhisintellect。Hermannerbecameunrestrainedandherlanguagefluent；andArbaces，whohadwaitedhisopportunity，nowhastenedtoseizeit。
’Youhaveneverseen，’saidhe，’theinteriorofmyhome；itmayamuseyoutodoso：itcontainssomeroomsthatmayexplaintoyouwhatyouhaveoftenaskedmetodescribe——thefashionofanEgyptianhouse；notindeed，thatyouwillperceiveinthepoorandminuteproportionsofRomanarchitecturethemassivestrength，thevastspace，thegiganticmagnificence，oreventhedomesticconstructionofthepalacesofThebesandMemphis；butsomethingthereis，hereandthere，thatmayservetoexpresstoyousomenotionofthatantiquecivilizationwhichhashumanizedtheworld。Devote，then，totheausterefriendofyouryouth，oneofthesebrightsummerevenings，andletmeboastthatmygloomymansionhasbeenhonoredwiththepresenceoftheadmiredIone。’
Unconsciousofthepollutionsofthemansion，ofthedangerthatawaitedher，Ionereadilyassentedtotheproposal。Thenexteveningwasfixedforthevisit；andtheEgyptian，withaserenecountenance，andaheartbeatingwithfierceandunholyjoy，departed。Scarcehadhegone，whenanothervisitorclaimedadmission……ButnowwereturntoGlaucus。
ChapterV
THEPOORTORTOISE。NEWCHANGESFORNYDIA。
THEmorningsunshoneoverthesmallandodorousgardenenclosedwithintheperistyleofthehouseoftheAthenian。Helayreclined，sadandlistlessly，onthesmoothgrasswhichintersectedtheviridarium；andaslightcanopystretchedabove，brokethefierceraysofthesummersun。
Whenthatfairymansionwasfirstdisinterredfromtheearththeyfoundinthegardentheshellofatortoisethathadbeenitsinmate。Thatanimal，sostrangealinkinthecreation，towhichNatureseemstohavedeniedallthepleasureoflife，savelife’spassiveanddream—likeperception，hadbeentheguestoftheplaceforyearsbeforeGlaucuspurchasedit；foryears，indeedwhichwentbeyondthememoryofman，andtowhichtraditionassignedanalmostincredibledate。Thehousehadbeenbuiltandrebuilt——itspossessorshadchangedandfluctuated——generationshadflourishedanddecayed——andstillthetortoisedraggedonitsslowandunsympathizingexistence。Intheearthquake，whichsixteenyearsbeforehadoverthrownmanyofthepublicbuildingsofthecity，andscaredawaytheamazedinhabitants，thehousenowinhabitedbyGlaucushadbeenterriblyshattered。Thepossessorsdeserteditformanydays；ontheirreturntheyclearedawaytheruinswhichencumberedtheviridarium，andfoundstillthetortoise，unharmedandunconsciousofthesurroundingdestruction。Itseemedtobearacharmedlifeinitslanguidbloodandimperceptiblemotions；yetitwasnotsoinactiveasitseemed：itheldaregularandmonotonouscourse；inchbyinchittraversedthelittleorbitofitsdomain，takingmonthstoaccomplishthewholegyration。Itwasarestlessvoyager，thattortoise！——patiently，andwithpain，diditperformitsself—appointedjourneys，evincingnointerestinthethingsaroundit——aphilosopherconcentratedinitself。Therewassomethinggrandinitssolitaryselfishness！——thesuninwhichitbasked——thewaterspoureddailyoverit——theair，whichitinsensiblyinhaled，wereitssoleandunfailingluxuries。Themildchangesoftheseason，inthatlovelyclime，affecteditnot。Itcovereditselfwithitsshell——asthesaintinhispiety——asthesageinhiswisdom——astheloverinhishope。
Itwasimpervioustotheshocksandmutationsoftime——itwasanemblemoftimeitself：slow，regular，perpetual；unwittingofthepassionsthatfretthemselvesaround——ofthewearandtearofmortality。Thepoortortoise！
nothinglessthantheburstingofvolcanoes，theconvulsionsoftherivenworld，couldhavequencheditssluggishspark！TheinexorableDeath，thatsparednotpomporbeauty，passedunheedinglybyathingtowhichdeathcouldbringsoinsignificantachange。
ForthisanimalthemercurialandvividGreekfeltallthewonderandaffectionofcontrast。Hecouldspendhoursinsurveyingitscreepingprogress，inmoralizingoveritsmechanism。Hedespiseditinjoy——heenvieditinsorrow。
Regardingitnowashelayalongthesward——itsdullmassmovingwhileitseemedmotionless，theAthenianmurmuredtohimself：
’Theeagledroppedastonefromhistalons，thinkingtobreakthyshell：thestonecrushedtheheadofapoet。ThisistheallegoryofFate！Dullthing！Thouhadstafatherandamother；perhaps，agesago，thouthyselfhadstamate。Didthyparentslove，ordidstthou？Didthyslowbloodcirculatemoregladlywhenthoudidstcreeptothesideofthyweddedone？
Wertthoucapableofaffection？Coulditdistresstheeifshewereawayfromthyside？Couldstthoufeelwhenshewaspresent？WhatwouldInotgivetoknowthehistoryofthymailedbreast——togazeuponthemechanismofthyfaintdesires——tomarkwhathair——breadthdifferenceseparatesthysorrowfromthyjoy！Yet，methinks，thouwouldstknowifIonewerepresent！Thouwouldstfeelhercominglikeahappierair——likeagladdersun。Ienvytheenow，forthouknowestnotthatsheisabsent；andI——wouldIcouldbelikethee——betweentheintervalsofseeingher！Whatdoubt，whatpresentiment，hauntsme！whywillshenotadmitme？DayshavepassedsinceIheardhervoice。Forthefirsttime，lifegrowsflattome。Iamasonewhoisleftaloneatabanquet，thelightsdead，andtheflowersfaded。Ah！Ione，couldstthoudreamhowIadorethee！’
Fromtheseenamouredreveries，GlaucuswasinterruptedbytheentranceofNydia。Shecamewithherlight，thoughcautiousstep，alongthemarbletablinum。Shepassedtheportico，andpausedattheflowerswhichborderedthegarden。Shehadherwater—vaseinherhand，andshesprinkledthethirstingplants，whichseemedtobrightenatherapproach。Shebenttoinhaletheirodor。Shetouchedthemtimidlyandcaressingly。Shefelt，alongtheirstems，ifanywitheredleaforcreepinginsectmarredtheirbeauty。Andasshehoveredfromflowertoflower，withherearnestandyouthfulcountenanceandgracefulmotions，youcouldnothaveimaginedafitterhandmaidforthegoddessofthegarden。
’Nydia，mychild！’saidGlaucus。
Atthesoundofhisvoiceshepausedatonce——listening，blushing，breathless；withherlipsparted，herfaceupturnedtocatchthedirectionofthesound，shelaiddownthevase——shehastenedtohim；andwonderfulitwastoseehowunerringlyshethreadedherdarkwaythroughtheflowers，andcamebytheshortestpathtothesideofhernewlord。
’Nydia，’saidGlaucus，tenderlystrokingbackherlongandbeautifulhair，’itisnowthreedayssincethouhastbeenundertheprotectionofmyhouseholdgods。Havetheysmiledonthee？Artthouhappy？’
’Ah！sohappy！’sighedtheslave。
’Andnow，’continuedGlaucus，’thatthouhastrecoveredsomewhatfromthehatefulrecollectionsofthyformerstate，——andnowthattheyhavefittedthee（touchingherbroideredtunic）withgarmentsmoremeetforthydelicateshape——andnow，sweetchild，thatthouhastaccustomedthyselftoahappiness，whichmaythegodsgranttheeever！Iamabouttoprayatthyhandsaboon。’
’Oh！whatcanIdoforthee？’saidNydia，claspingherhands。
’Listen，’saidGlaucus，’andyoungasthouart，thoushaltbemyconfidant。
HastthoueverheardthenameofIone？’
Theblindgirlgaspedforbreath，andturningpaleasoneofthestatueswhichshoneuponthemfromtheperistyle，sheansweredwithaneffort，andafteramoment’spause：
’Yes！IhaveheardthatsheisofNeapolis，andbeautiful。’
’Beautiful！herbeautyisathingtodazzletheday！Neapolis！nay，sheisGreekbyorigin；Greeceonlycouldfurnishforthsuchshapes。Nydia，Iloveher！’
’Ithoughtso，’repliedNydia，calmly。
’Ilove，andthoushalttellherso。Iamabouttosendtheetoher。HappyNydia，thouwiltbeinherchamber——thouwiltdrinkthemusicofhervoice——thouwiltbaskinthesunnyairofherpresence！’
’What！what！wiltthousendmefromthee？’
’ThouwiltgotoIone，’answeredGlaucus，inatonethatsaid，’Whatmorecanstthoudesire？’
Nydiaburstintotears。
Glaucus，raisinghimself，drewhertowardshimwiththesoothingcaressesofabrother。
’Mychild，myNydia，thouweepestinignoranceofthehappinessIbestowonthee。Sheisgentle，andkind，andsoftasthebreezeofspring。Shewillbeasistertothyyouth——shewillappreciatethywinningtalents——shewilllovethysimplegracesasnoneothercould，fortheyarelikeherown。
Weepestthoustill，fondfool？Iwillnotforcethee，sweet。Wiltthounotdoformethiskindness？’
’Well，ifIcanservethee，command。See，Iweepnolonger——Iamcalm。’
’ThatismyownNydia，’continuedGlaucus，kissingherhand。’Go，then，toher：ifthouartdisappointedinherkindness——ifIhavedeceivedthee，returnwhenthouwilt。Idonotgivetheetoanother；Ibutlend。Myhomeeverbethyrefuge，sweetone。Ah！woulditcouldshelterallthefriendlessanddistressed！Butifmyheartwhisperstruly，Ishallclaimtheeagainsoon，mychild。MyhomeandIone’swillbecomethesame，andthoushaltdwellwithboth。’
Ashiverpassedthroughtheslightframeoftheblindgirl，butsheweptnomore——shewasresigned。