’Go，then，myNydia，toIone’shouse——theyshallshowtheetheway。Takeherthefairestflowersthoucanstpluck；thevasewhichcontainsthemIwillgivethee：thoumustexcuseitsunworthiness。Thoushalttake，too，withtheethelutethatIgavetheeyesterday，andfromwhichthouknowestsowelltoawakenthecharmingspirit。Thoushaltgiveher，also，thisletter，inwhich，afterahundredefforts，Ihaveembodiedsomethingofmythoughts。
Letthyearcatcheveryaccent，everymodulationofhervoice，andtellme，whenwemeetagain，ifitsmusicshouldflattermeordiscourage。Itisnow，Nydia，somedayssinceIhavebeenadmittedtoIone；thereissomethingmysteriousinthisexclusion。Iamdistractedwithdoubtsandfears；
learn——forthouartquick，andthycareformewillsharpentenfoldthyacuteness——learnthecauseofthisunkindness；speakofmeasoftenasthoucanst；letmynamecomeevertothylips：insinuatehowIloveratherthanproclaimit；watchifshesighswhilstthouspeakest，ifsheanswerthee；
or，ifshereproves，inwhataccentsshereproves。Bemyfriend，pleadforme：andoh！howvastlywiltthouoverpaythelittleIhavedoneforthee！
Thoucomprehendest，Nydia；thouartyetachild——haveIsaidmorethanthoucanstunderstand？’
’No。’
’Andthouwiltserveme？’
’Yes。’
’Cometomewhenthouhastgatheredtheflowers，andIwillgivetheethevaseIspeakof；seekmeinthechamberofLeda。Prettyone，thoudostnotgrievenow？’
’Glaucus，Iamaslave；whatbusinesshaveIwithgrieforjoy？’
’Sayestthouso？No，Nydia，befree。Igivetheefreedom；enjoyitasthouwilt，andpardonmethatIreckonedonthydesiretoserveme。’
’Youareoffended。Oh！Iwouldnot，forthatwhichnofreedomcangive，offendyou，Glaucus。Myguardian，mysaviour，myprotector，forgivethepoorblindgirl！Shedoesnotgrieveeveninleavingthee，ifshecancontributetothyhappiness。’
’Maythegodsblessthisgratefulheart！’saidGlaucus，greatlymoved；and，unconsciousofthefiresheexcited，herepeatedlykissedherforehead。
’Thouforgivestme，’saidshe，’andthouwilttalknomoreoffreedom；myhappinessistobethyslave：thouhastpromisedthouwiltnotgivemetoanother……’
’Ihavepromised。’
’Andnow，then，Iwillgathertheflowers。’
Silently，NydiatookfromthehandofGlaucusthecostlyandjewelledvase，inwhichtheflowersviedwitheachotherinhueandfragrance；tearlesslyshereceivedhispartingadmonition。Shepausedforamomentwhenhisvoiceceased——shedidnottrustherselftoreply——shesoughthishand——sheraisedittoherlips，droppedherveiloverherface，andpassedatoncefromhispresence。Shepausedagainasshereachedthethreshold；shestretchedherhandstowardsit，andmurmured：
’Threehappydays——daysofunspeakabledelight，haveIknownsinceIpassedthee——blessedthreshold！maypeacedwelleverwiththeewhenIamgone！Andnow，myhearttearsitselffromthee，andtheonlysoundituttersbidsme——die！’
ChapterVI
THEHAPPYBEAUTYANDTHEBLINDSLAVE。
ASLAVEenteredthechamberofIone。AmessengerfromGlaucusdesiredtobeadmitted。
Ionehesitatedaninstant。
’Sheisblind，thatmessenger，’saidtheslave；’shewilldohercommissiontononebutthee。’
Baseisthatheartwhichdoesnotrespectaffliction！Themomentsheheardthemessengerwasblind，Ionefelttheimpossibilityofreturningachillingreply。Glaucushadchosenaheraldthatwasindeedsacred——aheraldthatcouldnotbedenied。
’Whatcanhewantwithme？whatmessagecanhesend？’andtheheartofIonebeatquick。Thecurtainacrossthedoorwaswithdrawn；asoftandecholessstepfelluponthemarble；andNydia，ledbyoneoftheattendants，enteredwithherpreciousgift。
Shestoodstillamoment，asiflisteningforsomesoundthatmightdirecther。
’WillthenobleIone，’saidshe，inasoftandlowvoice，’deigntospeak，thatImayknowwhithertosteerthesebenightedsteps，andthatImaylaymyofferingsatherfeet？’
’Fairchild，’saidIone，touchedandsoothingly，’givenotthyselfthepaintocrosstheseslipperyfloors，myattendantwillbringtomewhatthouhasttopresent’；andshemotionedtothehandmaidtotakethevase。
’Imaygivetheseflowerstononebutthee，’answeredNydia；and，guidedbyherear，shewalkedslowlytotheplacewhereIonesat，andkneelingwhenshecamebeforeher，profferedthevase。
Ionetookitfromherhand，andplaceditonthetableatherside。Shethenraisedhergently，andwouldhaveseatedheronthecouch，butthegirlmodestlyresisted。
’Ihavenotyetdischargedmyoffice，’saidshe；andshedrewtheletterofGlaucusfromhervest。’Thiswill，perhaps，explainwhyhewhosentmechosesounworthyamessengertoIone。’
TheNeapolitantooktheletterwithahand，thetremblingofwhichNydiaatoncefeltandsighedtofeel。Withfoldedarms，anddowncastlooks，shestoodbeforetheproudandstatelyformofIone——nolessproud，perhaps，inherattitudeofsubmission。Ionewavedherhand，andtheattendantswithdrew；shegazedagainupontheformoftheyoungslaveinsurpriseandbeautifulcompassion；then，retiringalittlefromher，sheopenedandreadthefollowingletter：
’GlaucustoIonesendsmorethanhedarestoutter。IsIoneill？thyslavestellme\"No\"，andthatassurancecomfortsme。HasGlaucusoffendedIone？——ah！thatquestionImaynotaskfromthem。ForfivedaysIhavebeenbanishedfromthypresence。Hasthesunshone？——Iknowitnot。Hastheskysmiled？——ithashadnosmileforme。MysunandmyskyareIone。DoI
offendthee？AmItoobold？DoIsaythatonthetabletwhichmytonguehashesitatedtobreathe？Alas！itisinthineabsencethatIfeelmostthespellsbywhichthouhastsubduedme。Andabsence，thatdeprivesmeofjoy，bringsmecourage。Thouwiltnotseeme；thouhastbanishedalsothecommonflatterersthatflockaroundthee。Canstthouconfoundmewiththem？Itisnotpossible！ThouknowesttoowellthatIamnotofthem——thattheirclayisnotmine。ForevenwereIofthehumblestmould，thefragranceoftherosehaspenetratedme，andthespiritofthynaturehathpassedwithinme，toembalm，tosanctify，toinspire。Havetheyslanderedmetothee，Ione？
Thouwiltnotbelievethem。DidtheDelphicoracleitselftellmethouwertunworthy，Iwouldnotbelieveit；andamIlessincredulousthanthouI
thinkofthelasttimewemet——ofthesongwhichIsangtothee——ofthelookthatthougavestmeinreturn。Disguiseitasthouwilt，Ione，thereissomethingkindredbetweenus，andoureyesacknowledgedit，thoughourlipsweresilent。Deigntoseeme，tolistentome，andafterthatexcludemeifthouwilt。ImeantnotsosoontosayIloved。Butthosewordsrushtomyheart——theywillhaveway。Accept，then，myhomageandmyvows。WemetfirstattheshrineofPallas；shallwenotmeetbeforeasofterandamoreancientaltar？
’Beautiful！adoredIone！IfmyhotyouthandmyAthenianbloodhavemisguidedandalluredme，theyhavebuttaughtmywanderingstoappreciatetherest——thehaventheyhaveattained。IhangupmydrippingrobesontheSea—god’sshrine。Ihaveescapedshipwreck。IhavefoundTHEE。Ione，deigntoseeme；thouartgentletostrangers，wiltthoubelessmercifultothoseofthineownland？Iawaitthyreply。AccepttheflowerswhichI
send——theirsweetbreathhasalanguagemoreeloquentthanwords。Theytakefromthesuntheodoroustheyreturn——theyaretheemblemofthelovethatreceivesandrepaystenfold——theemblemoftheheartthatdrunkthyrays，andowestotheethegermofthetreasuresthatitprofferstothysmile。I
sendthesebyonewhomthouwiltreceiveforherownsake，ifnotformine。
She，likeus，isastranger；herfathers’asheslieunderbrighterskies：
but，lesshappythanwe，sheisblindandaslave。PoorNydia！IseekasmuchaspossibletorepairtoherthecrueltiesofNatureandofFate，inaskingpermissiontoplaceherwiththee。Sheisgentle，quick，anddocile。
Sheisskilledinmusicandthesong；andsheisaveryChloristotheflowers。Shethinks，Ione，thatthouwiltloveher：ifthoudostnot，sendherbacktome。
’Onewordmore——letmebebold，Ione。WhythinkestthousohighlyofyondarkEgyptian？hehathnotabouthimtheairofhonestmen。WeGreekslearnmankindfromourcradle；wearenotthelessprofound，inthatweaffectnosombremien；ourlipssmile，butoureyesaregrave——theyobserve——theynote——theystudy。Arbacesisnotonetobecredulouslytrusted：canitbethathehathwrongedmetothee？Ithinkit，forIlefthimwiththee；thousawesthowmypresencestunghim；sincethenthouhastnotadmittedme。
Believenothingthathecansaytomydisfavor；ifthoudost，tellmesoatonce；forthisIoneowestoGlaucus。Farewell！thislettertouchesthyhand；thesecharactersmeetthineeyes——shalltheybemoreblessedthanhewhoistheirauthor。Oncemore，farewell！’
ItseemedtoIone，asshereadthisletter，asifamisthadfallenfromhereyes。WhathadbeenthesupposedoffenceofGlaucus？——thathehadnotreallyloved！Andnow，plainly，andinnodubiousterms，heconfessedthatlove。Fromthatmomenthispowerwasfullyrestored。Ateverytenderwordinthatletter，sofullofromanticandtrustfulpassion，herheartsmoteher。Andhadshedoubtedhisfaith，andhadshebelievedanother？andhadshenot，atleast，allowedtohimtheculprit’srighttoknowhiscrime，topleadinhisdefence？——thetearsrolleddownhercheeks——shekissedtheletter——sheplaceditinherbosom：and，turningtoNydia，whostoodinthesameplaceandinthesameposture：
’Wiltthousit，mychild，’saidshe，’whileIwriteananswertothisletter？’
’Youwillanswerit，then！’saidNydia，coldly。’Well，theslavethataccompaniedmewilltakebackyouranswer。’
’Foryou，’saidIone，’staywithme——trustme，yourserviceshallbelight。’
Nydiabowedherhead。
’Whatisyourname，fairgirl？’
’TheycallmeNydia。’
’Yourcountry？’
’ThelandofOlympus——Thessaly。’
’Thoushaltbetomeafriend，’saidIone，caressingly，’asthouartalreadyhalfacountrywoman。Meanwhile，Ibeseechthee，standnotonthesecoldandglassymarbles。There！nowthatthouartseated，Icanleavetheeforaninstant。’
’IonetoGlaucusgreeting。Cometome，Glaucus，’wroteIone，’cometometo—morrow。Imayhavebeenunjusttothee；butIwilltellthee，atleast，thefaultthathasbeenimputedtothycharge。Fearnot，henceforth，theEgyptian——fearnone。Thousayestthouhastexpressedtoomuch——alas！inthesehastywordsIhavealreadydoneso。Farewell。’
AsIonereappearedwiththeletter，whichshedidnotdaretoreadaftershehadwritten（Ah！commonrashness，commontimidityoflove！）——Nydiastartedfromherseat。
’YouhavewrittentoGlaucus？’
’Ihave。’
’Andwillhethankthemessengerwhogivestohimthyletter？’
Ioneforgotthathercompanionwasblind；sheblushedfromthebrowtotheneck，andremainedsilent。
’Imeanthis，’addedNydia，inacalmertone；’thelightestwordofcoldnessfromtheewillsaddenhim——thelightestkindnesswillrejoice。Ifitbethefirst，lettheslavetakebackthineanswer；ifitbethelast，letme——I
willreturnthisevening’
’Andwhy，Nydia，’askedIone，evasively，’Wouldstthoubethebearerofmyletter？’
’Itisso，then！’saidNydia。’Ah！howcoulditbeotherwise；whocouldbeunkindtoGlaucus？’
’Mychild，’saidIone，alittlemorereservedlythanbefore，’thouspeakestwarmly——Glaucus，then，isamiableinthineeyes？’
’NobleIone！Glaucushasbeenthattomewhichneitherfortunenorthegodshavebeen——afriend！’
ThesadnessmingledwithdignitywithwhichNydiautteredthesesimplewords，affectedthebeautifulIone：shebentdownandkissedher。’Thouartgrateful，anddeservedlyso；whyshouldIblushtosaythatGlaucusisworthyofthygratitude？Go，myNydia——taketohimthyselfthisletter——butreturnagain。IfIamfromhomewhenthoureturnest——asthisevening，perhaps，Ishallbe——thychambershallbepreparednextmyown。Nydia，I
havenosister——wiltthoubeonetome？’TheThessaliankissedthehandofIone，andthensaid，withsomeembarrassment：
’Onefavor，fairIone——mayIdaretoaskit？’
’ThoucanstnotaskwhatIwillnotgrant，’repliedtheNeapolitan。
’Theytellme，’saidNydia，’thatthouartbeautifulbeyondthelovelinessofearth。Alas！Icannotseethatwhichgladdenstheworld！Wiltthousufferme，then，topassmyhandoverthyface？——thatismysolecriterionofbeauty，andIusuallyguessaright。’
ShedidnotwaitfortheanswerofIone，but，asshespoke，gentlyandslowlypassedherhandoverthebendingandhalf—avertedfeaturesoftheGreek——featureswhichbutoneimageintheworldcanyetdepictureandrecall——thatimageisthemutilated，butall—wondrous，statueinhernativecity——herownNeapolis——thatParianface，beforewhichallthebeautyoftheFlorentineVenusispoorandearthly——thataspectsofullofharmony——ofyouth——ofgenius——ofthesoul——whichmoderncriticshavesupposedtherepresentationofPsyche。
Hertouchlingeredoverthebraidedhairandpolishedbrow——overthedownyanddamaskcheek——overthedimpledlip——theswan—likeandwhitishneck。’I
knownow，thatthouartbeautiful，’shesaid：’andIcanpicturetheetomydarknesshenceforth，andforever！’
WhenNydialefther，Ionesankintoadeepbutdeliciousreverie。Glaucusthenlovedher；heownedit——yes，helovedher。Shedrewforthagainthatdearconfession；shepausedovereveryword，shekissedeveryline；shedidnotaskwhyhehadbeenmaligned，sheonlyfeltassuredthathehadbeenso。
Shewonderedhowshehadeverbelievedasyllableagainsthim；shewonderedhowtheEgyptianhadbeenenabledtoexerciseapoweragainstGlaucus；shefeltachillcreepoverherassheagainturnedtohiswarningagainstArbaces，andhersecretfearofthatgloomybeingdarkenedintoawe。Shewasawakenedfromthesethoughtsbyhermaidens，whocametoannouncetoherthatthehourappointedtovisitArbaceswasarrived；shestarted，shehadforgottenthepromise。Herfirstimpressionwastorenounceit；hersecond，wastolaughatherownfearsofhereldestsurvivingfriend。Shehastenedtoaddtheusualornamentstoherdress，anddoubtfulwhethersheshouldyetquestiontheEgyptianmorecloselywithrespecttohisaccusationofGlaucus，orwhethersheshouldwaittill，withoutcitingtheauthority，sheshouldinsinuatetoGlaucustheaccusationitself，shetookherwaytothegloomymansionofArbaces。
ChapterVII
IONEENTRAPPED。THEMOUSETRIESTOGNAWTHENET。
’DEARESTNydia！’exclaimedGlaucusashereadtheletterofIone，’whitestrobedmessengerthateverpassedbetweenearthandheaven——how，howshallI
thankthee？’
’Iamrewarded，’saidthepoorThessalian。
’To—morrow——to—morrow！howshallIwhilethehourstillthen？’
TheenamouredGreekwouldnotletNydiaescapehim，thoughshesoughtseveraltimestoleavethechamber；hemadeherrecitetohimoverandoveragaineverysyllableofthebriefconversationthathadtakenplacebetweenherandIone；athousandtimes，forgettinghermisfortune，hequestionedherofthelooks，ofthecountenanceofhisbeloved；andthenquicklyagainexcusinghisfault，hebadeherrecommencethewholerecitalwhichhehadthusinterrupted。ThehoursthuspainfultoNydiapassedrapidlyanddelightfullytohim，andthetwilighthadalreadydarkenedereheoncemoredismissedhertoIonewithafreshletterandwithnewflowers。Scarcelyhadshegone，thanClodiusandseveralofhisgaycompanionsbrokeinuponhim；theyralliedhimonhisseclusionduringthewholeday，andabsencefromhiscustomaryhaunts；theyinvitedhimtoaccompanythemtothevariousresortsinthatlivelycity，whichnightanddayproffereddiversitytopleasure。Then，asnow，inthesouth（fornoland，perhaps，losingmoreofgreatnesshasretainedmoreofcustom），itwasthedelightoftheItalianstoassembleattheevening；and，undertheporticoesoftemplesortheshadeofthegrovesthatinterspersedthestreets，listeningtomusicortherecitalsofsomeinventivetale—teller，theyhailedtherisingmoonwithlibationsofwineandthemelodiesofsong。Glaucuswastoohappytobeunsocial；helongedtocastofftheexuberanceofjoythatoppressedhim。
Hewillinglyacceptedtheproposalofhiscomrades，andlaughinglytheysalliedouttogetherdownthepopulousandglitteringstreets。
InthemeantimeNydiaoncemoregainedthehouseofIone，whohadlongleftit；sheinquiredindifferentlywhitherIonehadgone。
Theanswerarrestedandappalledher。
’TothehouseofArbaces——oftheEgyptian？Impossible！’
’Itistrue，mylittleone，’saidtheslave，whohadrepliedtoherquestion。’ShehasknowntheEgyptianlong。’
’Long！yegods，yetGlaucuslovesher？’murmuredNydiatoherself。
’Andhas，’askedshealoud，’hassheoftenvisitedhimbefore？’
’Nevertillnow，’answeredtheslave。’IfalltherumoredscandalofPompeiibetrue，itwouldbebetter，perhaps，ifshehadnotventuredthereatpresent。Butshe，poormistressmine，hearsnothingofthatwhichreachesus；thetalkofthevestibulumreachesnottotheperistyle。’
’Nevertillnow！’repeatedNydia。’Artthousure？’
’Sure，prettyone：butwhatisthattotheeortous？’
Nydiahesitatedamoment，andthen，puttingdowntheflowerswithwhichshehadbeencharged，shecalledtotheslavewhohadaccompaniedher，andleftthehousewithoutsayinganotherword。
Nottillshehadgothalf—waybacktothehouseofGlaucusdidshebreaksilence，andeventhensheonlymurmuredinly：
’Shedoesnotdream——shecannot——ofthedangersintowhichshehasplunged。
FoolthatIam——shallIsaveher？——yes，forIloveGlaucusbetterthanmyself。’
WhenshearrivedatthehouseoftheAthenian，shelearntthathehadgoneoutwithapartyofhisfriends，andnoneknewwhither。Heprobablywouldnotbehomebeforemidnight。
TheThessaliangroaned；shesankuponaseatinthehallandcoveredherfacewithherhandsasiftocollectherthoughts。’Thereisnotimetobelost，’thoughtshe，startingup。Sheturnedtotheslavewhohadaccompaniedher。
’Knowestthou，’saidshe，’ifIonehasanyrelative，anyintimatefriendatPompeii？’
’Why，byJupiter！’answeredtheslave，’artthousillyenoughtoaskthequestion？EveryoneinPompeiiknowsthatIonehasabrotherwho，youngandrich，hasbeen——undertheroseIspeak——sofoolishastobecomeapriestofIsis。’
’ApriestofIsis！OGods！hisname？’
’Apaecides。’
’Iknowitall，’mutteredNydia：’brotherandsister，then，aretobebothvictims！Apaecides！yes，thatwasthenameIheardin……Ha！hewell，then，knowstheperilthatsurroundshissister；Iwillgotohim。’
Shesprangupatthatthought，andtakingthestaffwhichalwaysguidedhersteps，shehastenedtotheneighboringshrineofIsis。TillshehadbeenundertheguardianshipofthekindlyGreek，thatstaffhadsufficedtoconductthepoorblindgirlfromcornertocornerofPompeii。Everystreet，everyturninginthemorefrequentedparts，wasfamiliartoher；andastheinhabitantsentertainedatenderandhalf—superstitiousvenerationforthosesubjecttoherinfirmity，thepassengershadalwaysgivenwaytohertimidsteps。Poorgirl，shelittledreamedthatsheshould，eremanydayswerepassed，findherblindnessherprotection，andaguidefarsaferthanthekeenesteyes！
ButsinceshehadbeenundertheroofofGlaucus，hehadorderedaslavetoaccompanyheralways；andthepoordevilthusappointed，whowassomewhatofthefattest，andwho，afterhavingtwiceperformedthejourneytoIone’shouse，nowsawhimselfcondemnedtoathirdexcursion（whitherthegodsonlyknew），hastenedafterher，deploringhisfate，andsolemnlyassuringCastorandPolluxthathebelievedtheblindgirlhadthetalariaofMercuryaswellastheinfirmityofCupid。
Nydia，however，requiredbutlittleofhisassistancetofindherwaytothepopulartempleofIsis：thespacebeforeitwasnowdeserted，andshewonwithoutobstacletothesacredrail。
’Thereisnoonehere，’saidthefatslave。’Whatdostthouwant，orwhomKnowestthounotthatthepriestsdonotliveinthetemple？’
’Callout，’saidshe，impatiently；’nightanddaythereisalwaysoneflamen，atleast，watchingintheshrineofIsis。’
Theslavecalled——nooneappeared。
’Seestthounoone？’
’Noone。’
’Thoumistakest；Ihearasigh：lookagain。’
Theslave，wonderingandgrumbling，castroundhisheavyeyes，andbeforeoneofthealtars，whoseremainsstillcrowdthenarrowspace，hebeheldaformbendingasinmeditation。
’Iseeafigure，saidhe；’andbythewhitegarments，itisapriest。’
’OflamenofIsis！’criedNydia；’servantoftheMostAncient，hearme！’
’Whocalls？’saidalowandmelancholyvoice。
’Onewhohasnocommontidingstoimparttoamemberofyourbody：Icometodeclareandnottoaskoracles。’
’Withwhomwouldstthouconfer？Thisisnohourforthyconference；depart，disturbmenot；thenightissacredtothegods，thedaytomen。’
’MethinksIknowthyvoice？thouarthewhomIseek；yetIhaveheardtheespeakbutoncebefore。ArtthounotthepriestApaecides？’
’Iamthatman，’repliedthepriest，emergingfromthealtar，andapproachingtherail。
’Thouart！thegodsbepraised！’Wavingherhandtotheslave，shebadehimwithdrawtoadistance；andhe，whonaturallyimaginedsomesuperstitionconnected，perhaps，withthesafetyofIone，couldaloneleadhertothetemple，obeyed，andseatedhimselfontheground，atalittledistance。
’Hush！’saidshe，speakingquickandlow；’artthouindeedApaecides？’
’Ifthouknowestme，canstthounotrecallmyfeatures？’
’Iamblind，’answeredNydia；’myeyesareinmyear，andthatrecognizesthee：yetswearthatthouarthe。’
’BythegodsIswearit，bymyrighthand，andbythemoon！’
’Hush！speaklow——bendnear——givemethyhand；knowestthouArbaces？Hastthoulaidflowersatthefeetofthedead？Ah！thyhandiscold——harkyet！——hastthoutakentheawfulvow？’
’Whoartthou，whencecomestthou，palemaiden？’saidApaecides，fearfully：
’Iknowtheenot；thineisnotthebreastonwhichthisheadhathlain；I
haveneverseentheebefore。’
’Butthouhastheardmyvoice：nomatter，thoserecollectionsitshouldshameusbothtorecall。Listen，thouhastasister。’
’Speak！speak！whatofher？’
’Thouknowestthebanquetsofthedead，stranger——itpleasesthee，perhaps，tosharethem——woulditpleasetheetohavethysisterapartaker？WoulditpleasetheethatArbaceswasherhost？’
’Ogods，hedarenot！Girl，ifthoumockestme，tremble！Iwillteartheelimbfromlimb！’
’Ispeakthetruth；andwhileIspeak，IoneisinthehallsofArbaces——forthefirsttimehisguest。Thouknowestiftherebeperilinthatfirsttime！Farewell！Ihavefulfilledmycharge。’
’Stay！stay！’criedthepriest，passinghiswanhandoverhisbrow。’Ifthisbetrue，what——whatcanbedonetosaveher？Theymaynotadmitme。I
knownotallthemazesofthatintricatemansion。ONemesis！justlyamI
punished！’
’Iwilldismissyonslave，bethoumyguideandcomrade；Iwillleadtheetotheprivatedoorofthehouse：Iwillwhispertotheethewordwhichadmits。
Takesomeweapon：itmaybeneedful！’
’Waitaninstant，’saidApaecides，retiringintooneofthecellsthatflankthetemple，andreappearinginafewmomentswrappedinalargecloak，whichwasthenmuchwornbyallclasses，andwhichconcealedhissacreddress。
’Now，’hesaid，grindinghisteeth，’ifArbaceshathdaredto——buthedarenot！hedarenot！WhyshouldIsuspecthim？Ishesobaseavillain？I
willnotthinkit——yet，sophist！darkbewildererthatheis！Ogodsprotect——hush！aretheregods？Yes，thereisonegoddess，atleast，whosevoiceIcancommand；andthatis——Vengeance！’
Mutteringthesedisconnectedthoughts，Apaecides，followedbyhissilentandsightlesscompanion，hastenedthroughthemostsolitarypathstothehouseoftheEgyptian。
Theslave，abruptlydismissedbyNydia，shruggedhisshoulders，mutteredanadjuration，and，nothingloath，rolledofftohiscubiculum。