Suddenly，astheystoodinonehall，whichwassurroundedbydraperiesofsilverandwhite，theEgyptianclappedhishands，and，asifbyenchantment，abanquetrosefromthefloor——acouchorthrone，withacrimsoncanopy，ascendedsimultaneouslyatthefeetofIone——andatthesameinstantfrombehindthecurtainsswelledtheinvisibleandsoftestmusic。
ArbacesplacedhimselfatthefeetofIone——andchildren，youngandbeautifulasLoves，ministeredtothefeast。
Thefeastwasover，themusicsankintoalowandsubduedstrain，andArbacesthusaddressedhisbeautifulguest：
’Hastthouneverinthisdarkanduncertainworld——hastthouneveraspired，mypupil，tolookbeyond——hastthouneverwishedtoputasidetheveiloffuturity，andtobeholdontheshoresofFatetheshadowyimagesofthingstobe？Foritisnotthepastalonethathasitsghosts：eacheventtocomehasalsoitsspectrum——itsshade；whenthehourarrives，lifeentersit，theshadowbecomescorporeal，andwalkstheworld。Thus，inthelandbeyondthegrave，areevertwoimpalpableandspiritualhosts——thethingstobe，thethingsthathavebeen！Ifbyourwisdomwecanpenetratethatland，weseetheoneastheother，andlearn，asIhavelearned，notalonethemysteriesofthedead，butalsothedestinyoftheliving。’
’Asthouhastlearned！——Canwisdomattainsofar？’
’Wiltthouprovemyknowledge，Ione，andbeholdtherepresentationofthineownfate？ItisadramamorestrikingthanthoseofAEschylus：itisoneI
havepreparedforthee，ifthouwiltseetheshadowsperformtheirpart。’
TheNeapolitantrembled；shethoughtofGlaucus，andsighedaswellastrembled：weretheirdestiniestobeunited？Halfincredulous，halfbelieving，halfawed，halfalarmedbythewordsofherstrangehost，sheremainedforsomemomentssilent，andthenanswered：
’Itmayrevolt——itmayterrify；theknowledgeofthefuturewillperhapsonlyembitterthepresent！’
’Notso，Ione。Ihavemyselflookeduponthyfuturelot，andtheghostsofthyFuturebaskinthegardensofElysium：amidsttheasphodelandtherosetheypreparethegarlandsofthysweetdestiny，andtheFates，soharshtoothers，weaveonlyfortheethewebofhappinessandlove。Wiltthouthencomeandbeholdthydoom，sothatthoumayestenjoyitbeforehand？’
AgaintheheartofIonemurmured’Glaucus’；sheutteredahalf—audibleassent；theEgyptianrose，andtakingherbythehand，heledheracrossthebanquet—room——thecurtainswithdrewasbymagichands，andthemusicbrokeforthinalouderandgladderstrain；theypassedarowofcolumns，oneithersideofwhichfountainscastalofttheirfragrantwaters；theydescendedbybroadandeasystepsintoagarden。Theevehadcommenced；themoonwasalreadyhighinheaven，andthosesweetflowersthatsleepbyday，andfill，withineffableodorous，theairsofnight，werethicklyscatteredamidstalleyscutthroughthestar—litfoliage；or，gatheredinbaskets，laylikeofferingsatthefeetofthefrequentstatuesthatgleamedalongtheirpath。
’Whitherwouldstthouleadme，Arbaces？’saidIone，wonderingly。
’Butyonder，’saidhe，pointingtoasmallbuildingwhichstoodattheendofthevista。’ItisatempleconsecratedtotheFates——ourritesrequiresuchholyground。’
Theypassedintoanarrowhall，attheendofwhichhungasablecurtain。
Arbacesliftedit；Ioneentered，andfoundherselfintotaldarkness。
’Benotalarmed，’saidtheEgyptian，’thelightwillriseinstantly。’Whilehesospoke，asoft，andwarm，andgraduallightdiffuseditselfaround；asitspreadovereachobject，Ioneperceivedthatshewasinanapartmentofmoderatesize，hungeverywherewithblack；acouchwithdraperiesofthesamehuewasbesideher。Inthecentreoftheroomwasasmallaltar，onwhichstoodatripodofbronze。Atoneside，uponaloftycolumnofgranite，wasacolossalheadoftheblackestmarble，whichsheperceived，bythecrownofwheat—earsthatencircledthebrow，representedthegreatEgyptiangoddess。Arbacesstoodbeforethealtar：hehadlaidhisgarlandontheshrine，andseemedoccupiedwithpouringintothetripodthecontentsofabrazenvase；suddenlyfromthattripodleapedintolifeablue，quick，darting，irregularflame；theEgyptiandrewbacktothesideofIone，andmutteredsomewordsinalanguageunfamiliartoherear；thecurtainatthebackofthealtarwavedtremulouslytoandfro——itpartedslowly，andintheaperturewhichwasthusmade，Ionebeheldanindistinctandpalelandscape，whichgraduallygrewbrighterandclearerasshegazed；atlengthshediscoveredplainlytrees，andrivers，andmeadows，andallthebeautifuldiversityoftherichestearth。Atlength，beforethelandscape，adimshadowglided；itrestedoppositetoIone；slowlythesamecharmseemedtooperateuponitasovertherestofthescene；ittookformandshape，andlo！——initsfeatureandinitsformIonebeheldherself！
Thenthescenebehindthespectrefadedaway，andwassucceededbytherepresentationofagorgeouspalace；athronewasraisedinthecentreofitshall，thedimformsofslavesandguardswererangedaroundit，andapalehandheldoverthethronethelikenessofadiadem。
Anewactornowappeared；hewasclothedfromheadtofootinadarkrobe——hisfacewasconcealed——hekneltatthefeetoftheshadowyIone——heclaspedherhand——hepointedtothethrone，asiftoinvitehertoascendit。
TheNeapolitan’sheartbeatviolently。’Shalltheshadowdiscloseitself？’
whisperedavoicebesideher——thevoiceofArbaces。
’Ah，yes！’answeredIone，softly。
Arbacesraisedhishand——thespectreseemedtodropthemantlethatconcealeditsform——andIoneshrieked——itwasArbaceshimselfthatthuskneltbeforeher。
’Thisis，indeed，thyfate！’whisperedagaintheEgyptian’svoiceinherear。’AndthouartdestinedtobethebrideofArbaces。’
Ionestarted——theblackcurtainclosedoverthephantasmagoria：andArbaceshimself——thereal，thelivingArbaces——wasatherfeet。
’Oh，Ione！’saidhe，passionatelygazinguponher，’listentoonewhohaslongstruggledvainlywithhislove。Iadorethee！TheFatesdonotlie——thouartdestinedtobemine——Ihavesoughttheworldaround，andfoundnonelikethee。Frommyyouthupward，Ihavesighedforsuchasthouart。
IhavedreamedtillIsawthee——Iwake，andIbeholdthee。Turnnotawayfromme，Ione；thinknotofmeasthouhastthought；Iamnotthatbeing——cold，insensate，andmorose，whichIhaveseemedtothee。Neverwomanhadloversodevoted——sopassionateasIwillbetoIone。Donotstruggleinmyclasp：see——Ireleasethyhand。Takeitfrommeifthouwilt——wellbeitso！Butdonotrejectme，Ione——donotrashlyreject——judgeofthypoweroverhimwhomthoucanstthustransform。I，whoneverknelttomortalbeing，kneeltothee。I，whohavecommandedfate，receivefromtheemyown。Ione，tremblenot，thouartmyqueen——mygoddess——bemybride！Allthewishesthoucanstformshallbefulfilled。
Theendsoftheearthshallministertothee——pomp，power，luxury，shallbethyslaves。Arbacesshallhavenoambition，savetheprideofobeyingthee。
Ione，turnuponmethoseeyes——sheduponmethysmile。Darkismysoulwhenthyfaceishidfromit：shineoverme，mysun——myheaven——mydaylight！——Ione，Ione——donotrejectmylove！’
Alone，andinthepowerofthissingularandfearfulman，Ionewasnotyetterrified；therespectofhislanguage，thesoftnessofhisvoice，reassuredher；and，inherownpurity，shefeltprotection。Butshewasconfused——astonished：itwassomemomentsbeforeshecouldrecoverthepowerofreply。
’Rise，Arbaces！’saidsheatlength；andsheresignedtohimoncemoreherhand，whichsheasquicklywithdrewagain，whenshefeltuponittheburningpressureofhislips。’Rise！andifthouartserious，ifthylanguagebeinearnest……’
’If！’saidhetenderly。
’Well，then，listentome：youhavebeenmyguardian，myfriend，mymonitor；
forthisnewcharacterIwasnotprepared——thinknot，’sheaddedquickly，asshesawhisdarkeyesglitterwiththefiercenessofhispassion——’thinknotthatIscorn——thatIamuntouched——thatIamnothonoredbythishomage；
but，say——canstthouhearmecalmly？’
’Ay，thoughthywordswerelightning，andcouldblastme！’
’Iloveanother！’saidIone，blushingly，butinafirmvoice。
’Bythegods——byhell！’shoutedArbaces，risingtohisfullestheight；’darenottellmethat——darenotmockme——itisimpossible！——Whomhastthouseen——whomknown？Oh，Ione，itisthywoman’sinvention，thywoman’sartthatspeaks——thouwouldstgaintime；Ihavesurprised——Ihaveterrifiedthee。Dowithmeasthouwilt——saythatthoulovestnotme；butsaynotthatthoulovestanother！’
’Alas！’beganIone；andthen，appalledbeforehissuddenandunlooked—forviolence，sheburstintotears。
Arbacescamenearertoher——hisbreathglowedfiercelyonhercheek；hewoundhisarmsroundher——shesprangfromhisembrace。Inthestruggleatabletfellfromherbosomontheground：Arbacesperceived，andseizedit——itwastheletterthatmorningreceivedfromGlaucus。Ionesankuponthecouch，halfdeadwithterror。
RapidlytheeyesofArbacesranoverthewriting；theNeapolitandidnotdaretogazeuponhim：shedidnotseethedeadlypalenessthatcameoverhiscountenance——shemarkednothiswitheringfrown，northequiveringofhislip，northeconvulsionsthatheavedhisbreast。Hereadittotheend，andthen，astheletterfellfromhishand，hesaid，inavoiceofdeceitfulcalmness：
’Isthewriterofthisthemanthoulovest？’
Ionesobbed，butanswerednot。
’Speak！’herathershriekedthansaid。
’Itis——itis！
’Andhisname——itiswrittenhere——hisnameisGlaucus！’
Ione，claspingherhands，lookedroundasforsuccourorescape。
’Thenhearme，’saidArbaces，sinkinghisvoiceintoawhisper；’thoushaltgotothytombratherthantohisarms！What！thinkestthouArbaceswillbrookarivalsuchasthispunyGreek？What！thinkestthouthathehaswatchedthefruitripen，toyieldittoanother！Prettyfool——no！Thouartmine——all——onlymine：andthus——thusIseizeandclaimthee！’Ashespoke，hecaughtIoneinhisarms；and，inthatferociousgrasp，wasalltheenergy——lessoflovethanofrevenge。
ButtoIonedespairgavesupernaturalstrength：sheagaintoreherselffromhim——sherushedtothatpartoftheroombywhichshehadentered——shehalfwithdrewthecurtain——hehadseizedher——againshebrokeawayfromhim——andfell，exhausted，andwithaloudshriek，atthebaseofthecolumnwhichsupportedtheheadoftheEgyptiangoddess。Arbacespausedforamoment，asiftoregainhisbreath；andthenceoncemoredarteduponhisprey。
Atthatinstantthecurtainwasrudelytornaside，theEgyptianfeltafierceandstronggraspuponhisshoulder。Heturned——hebeheldbeforehimtheflashingeyesofGlaucus，andthepale，worn，butmenacing，countenanceofApaecides。’Ah，’hemuttered，asheglaredfromonetotheother，’whatFuryhathsentyehither？’
’Ate，’answeredGlaucus；andheclosedatoncewiththeEgyptian。
Meanwhile，Apaecidesraisedhissister，nowlifeless，fromtheground；hisstrength，exhaustedbyamindlongoverwrought，didnotsufficetobearheraway，lightanddelicatethoughhershape：heplacedher，therefore，onthecouch，andstoodoverherwithabrandishingknife，watchingthecontestbetweenGlaucusandtheEgyptian，andreadytoplungehisweaponinthebosomofArbacesshouldhebevictoriousinthestruggle。Thereis，perhaps，nothingonearthsoterribleasthenakedandunarmedcontestofanimalstrength，noweaponbutthosewhichNaturesuppliestorage。Boththeantagonistswerenowlockedineachother’sgrasp——thehandofeachseekingthethroatoftheother——thefacedrawnback——thefierceeyesflashing——themusclesstrained——theveinsswelled——thelipsapart——theteethset——bothwerestrongbeyondtheordinarypowerofmen，bothanimatedbyrelentlesswrath；theycoiled，theywound，aroundeachother；theyrockedtoandfro——theyswayedfromendtoendoftheirconfinedarena——theyutteredcriesofireandrevenge——theywerenowbeforethealtar——nowatthebaseofthecolumnwherethestrugglehadcommenced：theydrewbackforbreath——Arbacesleaningagainstthecolumn——Glaucusafewpacesapart。
’Oancientgoddess！’exclaimedArbaces，claspingthecolumn，andraisinghiseyestowardthesacredimageitsupported，’protectthychosen——proclaimtheyvengeanceagainstthisthingofanupstartcreed，whowithsacrilegiousviolenceprofanesthyresting—placeandassailsthyservant。’
Ashespoke，thestillandvastfeaturesofthegoddessseemedsuddenlytoglowwithlife；throughtheblackmarble，asthroughatransparentveil，flushedluminouslyacrimsonandburninghue；aroundtheheadplayedanddartedcoruscationsoflividlightning；theeyesbecamelikeballsofluridfire，andseemedfixedinwitheringandintolerablewrathuponthecountenanceoftheGreek。Awedandappalledbythissuddenandmysticanswertotheprayerofhisfoe，andnotfreefromthehereditarysuperstitionsofhisrace，thecheeksofGlaucuspaledbeforethatstrangeandghastlyanimationofthemarble——hiskneesknockedtogether——hestood，seizedwithadivinepanic，dismayed，aghast，halfunmannedbeforehisfoe！
Arbacesgavehimnotbreathingtimetorecoverhisstupor：’Die，wretch！’heshouted，inavoiceofthunder，ashesprangupontheGreek；’theMightyMotherclaimstheeasalivingsacrifice！’Takenthusbysurpriseinthefirstconsternationofhissuperstitiousfears，theGreeklosthisfooting——themarblefloorwasassmoothasglass——heslid——hefell。Arbacesplantedhisfootonthebreastofhisfallenfoe。Apaecides，taughtbyhissacredprofession，aswellasbyhisknowledgeofArbaces，todistrustallmiraculousinterpositions，hadnotsharedthedismayofhiscompanion；herushedforward——hisknifegleamedintheair——thewatchfulEgyptiancaughthisarmasitdescended——onewrenchofhispowerfulhandtoretheweaponfromtheweakgraspofthepriest——onesweepingblowstretchedhimtotheearth——withaloudandexultingyellArbacesbrandishedtheknifeonhigh。
Glaucusgazeduponhisimpendingfatewithunwinkingeyes，andinthesternandscornfulresignationofafallengladiator，when，atthatawfulinstant，thefloorshookunderthemwitharapidandconvulsivethroe——amightierspiritthanthatoftheEgyptianwasabroad！——agiantandcrushingpower，beforewhichsunkintosuddenimpotencehispassionandhisarts。IT
woke——itstirred——thatDreadDemonoftheEarthquake——laughingtoscornalikethemagicofhumanguileandthemaliceofhumanwrath。AsaTitan，onwhomthemountainsarepiled，itrouseditselffromthesleepofyears，itmovedonitstorturedcouch——thecavernsbelowgroanedandtrembledbeneaththemotionofitslimbs。Inthemomentofhisvengeanceandhispower，theself—prizeddemigodwashumbledtohisrealclay。Farandwidealongthesoilwentahoarseandrumblingsound——thecurtainsofthechambershookasattheblastofastorm——thealtarrocked——thetripodreeled，andhighovertheplaceofcontest，thecolumntrembledandwavedfromsidetoside——thesableheadofthegoddesstotteredandfellfromitspedestal——andastheEgyptianstoopedabovehisintendedvictim，rightuponhisbendedform，rightbetweentheshoulderandtheneck，struckthemarblemass！Theshockstretchedhimliketheblowofdeath，atonce，suddenly，withoutsoundormotion，orsemblanceoflife，uponthefloor，apparentlycrushedbytheverydivinityhehadimpiouslyanimatedandinvoked！
’TheEarthhaspreservedherchildren，’saidGlaucus，staggeringtohisfeet。’Blessedbethedreadconvulsion！Letusworshiptheprovidenceofthegods！’HeassistedApaecidestorise，andthenturnedupwardthefaceofArbaces；itseemedlockedasindeath；bloodgushedfromtheEgyptian’slipsoverhisglitteringrobes；hefellheavilyfromthearmsofGlaucus，andtheredstreamtrickledslowlyalongthemarble。Againtheearthshookbeneaththeirfeet；theywereforcedtoclingtoeachother；theconvulsionceasedassuddenlyasitcame；theytarriednolonger；GlaucusboreIonelightlyinhisarms，andtheyfledfromtheunhallowedspot。Butscarcehadtheyenteredthegardenthantheyweremetonallsidesbyflyinganddisorderedgroupsofwomenandslaves，whosefestiveandglitteringgarmentscontrastedinmockerythesolemnterrorofthehour；theydidnotappeartoheedthestrangers——theywereoccupiedonlywiththeirownfears。Afterthetranquillityofsixteenyears，thatburningandtreacheroussoilagainmenaceddestruction；theyutteredbutonecry，’THEEARTHQUAKE！THE
EARTHQUAKE！’andpassingunmolestedfromthemidstofthem，Apaecidesandhiscompanions，withoutenteringthehouse，hasteneddownoneofthealleys，passedasmallopengate，andthere，sittingonalittlemoundoverwhichspreadthegloomofthedarkgreenaloes，themoonlightfellonthebendedfigureoftheblindgirl——shewasweepingbitterly。
BOOKTHETHIRD
ChapterI
THEFORUMOFTHEPOMPEIANS。THEFIRSTRUDEMACHINERYBYWHICHTHENEWERA
OFTHEWORLDWASWROUGHT。
ITwasearlynoon，andtheforumwascrowdedalikewiththebusyandtheidle。AsatParisatthisday，soatthattimeinthecitiesofItaly，menlivedalmostwhollyoutofdoors：thepublicbuildings，theforum，theporticoes，thebaths，thetemplesthemselves，mightbeconsideredtheirrealhomes；itwasnowonderthattheydecoratedsogorgeouslythesefavoriteplacesofresort——theyfeltforthemasortofdomesticaffectionaswellasapublicpride。Andanimatedwas，indeed，theaspectoftheforumofPompeiiatthattime！Alongitsbroadpavement，composedoflargeflagsofmarble，wereassembledvariousgroups，conversinginthatenergeticfashionwhichappropriatesagesturetoeveryword，andwhichisstillthecharacteristicofthepeopleofthesouth。Here，insevenstallsononesidethecolonnade，satthemoney—changers，withtheirglitteringheapsbeforethem，andmerchantsandseameninvariouscostumescrowdingroundtheirstalls。Ononeside，severalmeninlongtogaswereseenbustlingrapidlyuptoastatelyedifice，wherethemagistratesadministeredjustice——thesewerethelawyers，active，chattering，joking，andpunning，asyoumayfindthematthisdayinWestminster。Inthecentreofthespace，pedestalssupportedvariousstatues，ofwhichthemostremarkablewasthestatelyformofCicero。AroundthecourtranaregularandsymmetricalcolonnadeofDoricarchitecture；andthereseveral，whosebusinessdrewthemearlytotheplace，weretakingtheslightmorningrepastwhichmadeanItalianbreakfast，talkingvehementlyontheearthquakeoftheprecedingnightastheydippedpiecesofbreadintheircupsofdilutedwine。Intheopenspace，too，youmightperceivevariouspettytradersexercisingtheartsoftheircalling。Hereonemanwasholdingoutribandstoafairdamefromthecountry；anothermanwasvauntingtoastoutfarmertheexcellenceofhisshoes；athird，akindofstall—restaurateur，stillsocommonintheItaliancities，wassupplyingmanyahungrymouthwithhotmessesfromhissmallanditinerantstove，while——contraststronglytypicalofthemingledbustleandintellectofthetime——closeby，aschoolmasterwasexpoundingtohispuzzledpupilstheelementsoftheLatingrammar。’Agalleryabovetheportico，whichwasascendedbysmallwoodenstaircases，hadalsoitsthrong；
though，asheretheimmediatebusinessoftheplacewasmainlycarriedon，itsgroupsworeamorequietandseriousair。
EverynowandthenthecrowdbelowrespectfullygavewayassomesenatorsweptalongtotheTempleofJupiter（whichfilleduponesideoftheforum，andwasthesenators’hallofmeeting），noddingwithostentatiouscondescensiontosuchofhisfriendsorclientsashedistinguishedamongstthethrong。Minglingamidstthegaydressesofthebetterordersyousawthehardyformsoftheneighboringfarmers，astheymadetheirwaytothepublicgranaries。Hardbythetempleyoucaughtaviewofthetriumphalarch，andthelongstreetbeyondswarmingwithinhabitants；inoneofthenichesofthearchafountainplayed，cheerilysparklinginthesunbeams；
andaboveitscornicerosethebronzedandequestrianstatueofCaligula，stronglycontrastingthegaysummerskies。Behindthestallsofthemoney—changerswasthatbuildingnowcalledthePantheon；andacrowdofthepoorerPompeianspassedthroughthesmallvestibulewhichadmittedtotheinterior，withpanniersundertheirarms，pressingontowardsaplatform，placedbetweentwocolumns，wheresuchprovisionsasthepriestshadrescuedfromsacrificewereexposedforsale。
Atoneofthepublicedificesappropriatedtothebusinessofthecity，workmenwereemployeduponthecolumns，andyouheardthenoiseoftheirlaboreverynowandthenrisingabovethehumofthemultitude：thecolumnsareunfinishedtothisday！
All，then，united，nothingcouldexceedinvarietythecostumes，theranks，themanners，theoccupationsofthecrowd——nothingcouldexceedthebustle，thegaiety，theanimation——wherepleasureandcommerce，idlenessandlabor，avariceandambition，mingledinonegulftheirmotleyrushing，yetharmonius，streams。
FacingthestepsoftheTempleofJupiter，withfoldedarms，andaknitandcontemptuousbrow，stoodamanofaboutfiftyyearsofage。Hisdresswasremarkablyplain——notsomuchfromitsmaterial，asfromtheabsenceofallthoseornamentswhichwerewornbythePompeiansofeveryrank——partlyfromtheloveofshow，partly，also，becausetheywerechieflywroughtintothoseshapesdeemedmostefficaciousinresistingtheassaultsofmagicandtheinfluenceoftheevileye。Hisforeheadwashighandbald；thefewlocksthatremainedatthebackoftheheadwereconcealedbyasortofcowl，whichmadeapartofhiscloak，toberaisedorloweredatpleasure，andwasnowdrawnhalf—wayoverthehead，asaprotectionfromtheraysofthesun。
Thecolorofhisgarmentswasbrown，nopopularhuewiththePompeians；alltheusualadmixturesofscarletorpurpleseemedcarefullyexcluded。Hisbelt，orgirdle，containedasmallreceptacleforink，whichhookedontothegirdle，astilus（orimplementofwriting），andtabletsofnoordinarysize。Whatwasratherremarkable，thecinctureheldnopurse，whichwasthealmostindispensableappurtenanceofthegirdle，evenwhenthatpursehadthemisfortunetobeempty！
ItwasnotoftenthatthegayandegotisticalPompeiansbusiedthemselveswithobservingthecountenancesandactionsoftheirneighbors；buttherewasthatinthelipandeyeofthisbystandersoremarkablybitteranddisdainful，ashesurveyedthereligiousprocessionsweepingupthestairsofthetemple，thatitcouldnotfailtoarrestthenoticeofmany。
’Whoisyoncynic？’askedamerchantofhiscompanion，ajeweller。
’ItisOlinthus，’repliedthejeweller；’areputedNazarene。’
Themerchantshuddered。’Adreadsect！’saidhe，inawhisperedandfearfulvoice。’Itissaid。thatwhentheymeetatnightstheyalwayscommencetheirceremoniesbythemurderofanew—bornbabe；theyprofessacommunityofgoods，too——thewretches！Acommunityofgoods！Whatwouldbecomeofmerchants，orjewellerseither，ifsuchnotionswereinfashion？’
’Thatisverytrue，’saidthejeweller；’besides，theywearnojewels——theymutterimprecationswhentheyseeaserpent；andatPompeiiallourornamentsareserpentine。’
’Dobutobserve，’saidathird，whowasafabricantofbronze，’howyonNazarenescowlsatthepietyofthesacrificialprocession。Heismurmuringcursesonthetemple，besure。Doyouknow，Celcinus，thatthisfellow，passingbymyshoptheotherday，andseeingmeemployedonastatueofMinerva，toldmewithafrownthat，haditbeenmarble，hewouldhavebrokenit；butthebronzewastoostrongforhim。\"Breakagoddess！\"saidI。\"A
goddess！\"answeredtheatheist；\"itisademon——anevilspirit！\"Thenhepassedonhiswaycursing。Aresuchthingstobeborne？Whatmarvelthattheearthheavedsofearfullylastnight，anxioustorejecttheatheistfromherbosom？——Anatheist，doIsay？worsestill——ascorneroftheFineArts！
Woetousfabricantsofbronze，ifsuchfellowsasthisgivethelawtosociety！’
’ThesearetheincendiariesthatburntRomeunderNero，’groanedthejeweller。
WhilesuchwerethefriendlyremarksprovokedbytheairandfaithoftheNazarene，Olinthushimselfbecamesensibleoftheeffecthewasproducing；
heturnedhiseyesround，andobservedtheintentfacesoftheaccumulatingthrong，whisperingastheygazed；andsurveyingthemforamomentwithanexpression，firstofdefianceandafterwardsofcompassion，hegatheredhiscloakroundhimandpassedon，mutteringaudibly，’Deludedidolaters！——didnotlastnight’sconvulsionwarnye？Alas！howwillyemeetthelastday？’
Thecrowdthatheardthesebodingwordsgavethemdifferentinterpretations，accordingtotheirdifferentshadesofignoranceandoffear；all，however，concurredinimaginingthemtoconveysomeawfulimprecation。TheyregardedtheChristianastheenemyofmankind；theepithetstheylavisheduponhim，ofwhich’Atheist’wasthemostfavoredandfrequent，mayserve，perhaps，towarnus，believersofthatsamecreednowtriumphant，howweindulgethepersecutionofopinionOlinthusthenunderwent，andhowweapplytothosewhosenotionsdifferfromourownthetermsatthatdaylavishedonthefathersofourfaith。
AsOlinthusstalkedthroughthecrowd，andgainedoneofthemoreprivateplacesofegressfromtheforum，heperceivedgazinguponhimapaleandearnestcountenance，whichhewasnotslowtorecognize。
Wrappedinapalliumthatpartiallyconcealedhissacredrobes，theyoungApaecidessurveyedthediscipleofthatnewandmysteriouscreed，towhichatonetimehehadbeenhalfaconvert。
’Ishe，too，animpostor？Doesthisman，soplainandsimpleinlife，ingarb，inmien——doeshetoo，likeArbaces，makeausteritytherobeofthesensualist？DoestheveilofVestahidethevicesoftheprostitute？’
Olinthus，accustomedtomenofallclasses，andcombiningwiththeenthusiasmofhisfaithaprofoundexperienceofhiskind，guessed，perhaps，bytheindexofthecountenance，somethingofwhatpassedwithinthebreastofthepriest。HemetthesurveyofApaecideswithasteadyeye，andabrowofsereneandopencandour。
’Peacebewiththee！’saidhe，salutingApaecides。
’Peace！’echoedthepriest，insohollowatonethatitwentatoncetotheheartoftheNazarene。
’Inthatwish，’continuedOlinthus，’allgoodthingsarecombined——withoutvirtuethoucanstnothavepeace。Liketherainbow，Peacerestsupontheearth，butitsarchislostinheaven。Heavenbathesitinhuesoflight——itspringsupamidsttearsandclouds——itisareflectionoftheEternalSun——itisanassuranceofcalm——itisthesignofagreatcovenantbetweenManandGod。Suchpeace，Oyoungman！isthesmileofthesoul；itisanemanationfromthedistantorbofimmortallight。PEACEbewithyou！’