imperishable——theybloomoveruswhenwearenomore；nay，theyaccompanyusbeyondthegrave，theyspringupbeneathourfeetinheaven，theydelightuswithaneternalodor，fortheyareofthesoul，theypartakeofitsnature；theseofferingsaretemptationsovercome，andsinsrepented。
Come，ohcome！losenotanothermoment；preparealreadyforthegreat，theawfuljourney，fromdarknesstolight，fromsorrowtobliss，fromcorruptiontoimmortality！ThisisthedayoftheLordtheSon，adaythatwehavesetapartforourdevotions。Thoughwemeetusuallyatnight，yetsomeamongstusaregatheredtogetherevennow。Whatjoy，whattriumph，willbewithusall，ifwecanbringonestraylambintothesacredfold！’
ThereseemedtoApaecides，sonaturallypureofheart，somethingineffablygenerousandbenigninthatspiritofconversationwhichanimatedOlinthus——aspiritthatfounditsownblissinthehappinessofothers——thatsoughtinitswidesocialitytomakecompanionsforeternity。Hewastouched，softened，andsubdued。Hewasnotinthatmoodwhichcanbeartobeleftalone；curiosity，too，mingledwithhispurerstimulants——hewasanxioustoseethoseritesofwhichsomanydarkandcontradictoryrumourswereafloat。Hepausedamoment，lookedoverhisgarb，thoughtofArbaces，shudderedwithhorror，liftedhiseyestothebroadbrowoftheNazarene，intent，anxious，watchful——butforhisbenefits，forhissalvation！Hedrewhiscloakroundhim，soaswhollytoconcealhisrobes，andsaid，’Leadon，Ifollowthee。’
Olinthuspressedhishandjoyfully，andthendescendingtotheriverside，hailedoneoftheboatsthatplyedthereconstantly；theyenteredit；anawningoverhead，whileitshelteredthemfromthesun，screenedalsotheirpersonsfromobservation：theyrapidlyskimmedthewave。Fromoneoftheboatsthatpassedthemfloatedasoftmusic，anditsprowwasdecoratedwithflowers——itwasglidingtowardsthesea。
’So，’saidOlinthus，sadly，’unconsciousandmirthfulintheirdelusions，sailthevotariesofluxuryintothegreatoceanofstormandshipwreck！wepassthem，silentandunnoticed，togaintheland。’
Apaecides，liftinghiseyes，caughtthroughtheapertureintheawningaglimpseofthefaceofoneoftheinmatesofthatgaybark——itwasthefaceofIone。Theloverswereembarkedontheexcursionatwhichwehavebeenmadepresent。Thepriestsighed，andoncemoresunkbackuponhisseat。
Theyreachedtheshorewhere，inthesuburbs，analleyofsmallandmeanhousesstretchedtowardsthebank；theydismissedtheboat，landed，andOlinthus，precedingthepriest，threadedthelabyrinthoflanes，andarrivedatlastatthecloseddoorofahabitationsomewhatlargerthanitsneighbors。Heknockedthrice——thedoorwasopenedandclosedagain，asApaecidesfollowedhisguideacrossthethreshold。
Theypassedadesertedatrium，andgainedaninnerchamberofmoderatesize，which，whenthedoorwasclosed，receiveditsonlylightfromasmallwindowcutoverthedooritself。But，haltingatthethresholdofthischamber，andknockingatthedoor，Olinthussaid，’Peacebewithyou！’Avoicefromwithinreturned，’Peacewithwhom？’’TheFaithful！’answeredOlinthus，andthedooropened；twelveorfourteenpersonsweresittinginasemicircle，silent，andseeminglyabsorbedinthought，andoppositetoacrucifixrudelycarvedinwood。
TheylifteduptheireyeswhenOlinthusentered，withoutspeaking；theNazarenehimself，beforeheaccostedthem，kneltsuddenlydown，andbyhismovinglips，andhiseyesfixedsteadfastlyonthecrucifix，Apaecidessawthatheprayedinly。Thisriteperformed，Olinthusturnedtothecongregation——’Menandbrethren，’saidhe，’startnottobeholdamongstyouapriestofIsis；hehathsojournedwiththeblind，buttheSpirithathfallenonhim——hedesirestosee，tohear，andtounderstand。’
’Lethim，’saidoneoftheassembly；andApaecidesbeheldinthespeakeramanstillyoungerthanhimself，ofacountenanceequallywornandpallid，ofaneyewhichequallyspokeoftherestlessandfieryoperationsofaworkingmind。
’Lethim，’repeatedasecondvoice，andhewhothusspokewasintheprimeofmanhood；hisbronzedskinandAsiaticfeaturesbespokehimasonofSyria——hehadbeenarobberinhisyouth。
’Lethim，’saidathirdvoice；andthepriest，againturningtoregardthespeaker，sawanoldmanwithalonggreybeard，whomherecognizedasaslavetothewealthyDiomed。
’Lethim，’repeatedsimultaneouslytherest——menwho，withtwoexceptions，wereevidentlyoftheinferiorranks。Intheseexceptions，Apaecidesnotedanofficeroftheguard，andanAlexandrianmerchant。
’Wedonot，’recommencedOlinthus——’wedonotbindyoutosecrecy；weimposeonyounooaths（assomeofourweakerbrethrenwoulddo）nottobetrayus。
Itistrue，indeed，thatthereisnoabsolutelawagainstus；butthemultitude，moresavagethantheirrulers，thirstforourlives。So，myfriends，whenPilatewouldhavehesitated，itwasthepeoplewhoshouted\"Christtothecross！\"Butwebindyounottooursafety——no！Betrayustothecrowd——impeach，calumniate，malignusifyouwill——weareabovedeath，weshouldwalkcheerfullytothedenofthelion，ortherackofthetorturer——wecantrampledownthedarknessofthegrave，andwhatisdeathtoacriminaliseternitytotheChristian。’
Alowandapplaudingmurmurranthroughtheassembly。
’Thoucomestamongstusasanexaminer，mayestthouremainaconvert！Ourreligion？youbeholdit！Yoncrossoursoleimage，yonscrollthemysteriesofourCaereandEleusis！Ourmorality？itisinourlives！——sinnersweallhavebeen；whonowcanaccuseusofacrime？wehavebaptizedourselvesfromthepast。Thinknotthatthisisofus，itisofGod。Approach，Medon，’
beckoningtotheoldslavewhohadspokenthirdfortheadmissionofApaecides，’thouartthesolemanamongstuswhoisnotfree。Butinheaven，thelastshallbefirst：sowithus。Unfoldyourscroll，readandexplain。’
UselesswoulditbeforustoaccompanythelectureofMedon，orthecommentsofthecongregation。Familiarnowarethosedoctrines，thenstrangeandnew。EighteencenturieshaveleftuslittletoexpoundupontheloreofScriptureorthelifeofChrist。Tous，too，therewouldseemlittlecongenialinthedoubtsthatoccurredtoaheathenpriest，andlittlelearnedintheanswerstheyreceivefrommenuneducated，rude，andsimple，possessingonlytheknowledgethattheyweregreaterthantheyseemed。
TherewasonethingthatgreatlytouchedtheNeapolitan：whenthelecturewasconcluded，theyheardaverygentleknockatthedoor；thepasswordwasgiven，andrepliedto；thedooropened，andtwoyoungchildren，theeldestofwhommighthavetolditsseventhyear，enteredtimidly；theywerethechildrenofthemasterofthehouse，thatdarkandhardySyrian，whoseyouthhadbeenspentinpillageandbloodshed。Theeldestofthecongregation（itwasthatoldslave）openedtothemhisarms；theyfledtotheshelter——theycrepttohisbreast——andhishardfeaturessmiledashecaressedthem。Andthentheseboldandferventmen，nursedinvicissitude，beatenbytheroughwindsoflife——menofmailedandimperviousfortitude，readytoaffrontaworld，preparedfortormentandarmedfordeath——men，whopresentedallimaginablecontrasttotheweaknerves，thelighthearts，thetenderfragilityofchildhood，crowdedroundtheinfants，smoothingtheirruggedbrowsandcomposingtheirbeardedlipstokindlyandfosteringsmiles：andthentheoldmanopenedthescrollandhetaughttheinfantstorepeatafterhimthatbeautifulprayerwhichwestilldedicatetotheLord，andstillteachtoourchildren；andthenhetoldthem，insimplephrase，ofGod’slovetotheyoung，andhownotasparrowfallsbutHiseyeseesit。ThislovelycustomofinfantinitiationwaslongcherishedbytheearlyChurch，inmemoryofthewordswhichsaid，’Sufferlittlechildrentocomeuntome，andforbidthemnot’；andwasperhapstheoriginofthesuperstitiouscalumnywhichascribedtotheNazarenesthecrimewhichtheNazarenes，whenvictorious，attributedtotheJew，viz。thedecoyingchildrentohideousrites，atwhichtheyweresecretlyimmolated。
Andthesternpaternalpenitentseemedtofeelintheinnocenceofhischildrenareturnintoearlylife——lifeereyetitsinned：hefollowedthemotionoftheiryounglipswithanearnestgaze；hesmiledastheyrepeated，withhushedandreverentlooks，theholywords：andwhenthelessonwasdone，andtheyran，released，andgladlytohisknee，heclaspedthemtohisbreast，kissedthemagainandagain，andtearsflowedfastdownhischeek——tears，ofwhichitwouldhavebeenimpossibletotracethesource，somingledtheywerewithjoyandsorrow，penitenceandhope——remorseforhimselfandloveforthem！
Something，Isay，therewasinthisscenewhichpeculiarlyaffectedApaecides；and，intruth，itisdifficulttoconceiveaceremonymoreappropriatetothereligionofbenevolence，moreappealingtothehouseholdandeverydayaffections，strikingamoresensitivechordinthehumanbreast。
Itwasatthistimethataninnerdooropenedgently，andaveryoldmanenteredthechamber，leaningonastaff。Athispresence，thewholecongregationrose；therewasanexpressionofdeep，affectionaterespectuponeverycountenance；andApaecides，gazingonhiscountenance，feltattractedtowardshimbyanirresistiblesympathy。Nomaneverlookeduponthatfacewithoutlove；fortherehaddweltthesmileoftheDeity，theincarnationofdivinestlove——andthegloryofthesmilehadneverpassedaway。
’Mychildren，Godbewithyou！’saidtheoldman，stretchinghisarms；andashespoketheinfantsrantohisknee。Hesatdown，andtheynestledfondlytohisbosom。Itwasbeautifultoseethatminglingoftheextremesoflife——theriversgushingfromtheirearlysource——themajesticstreamglidingtotheoceanofeternity！Asthelightofdecliningdayseemstomingleearthandheaven，makingtheoutlineofeachscarcevisible，andblendingtheharshmountain—topswiththesky，evensodidthesmileofthatbenignoldageappeartohallowtheaspectofthosearound，toblendtogetherthestrongdistinctionsofvaryingyears，andtodiffuseoverinfancyandmanhoodthelightofthatheavenintowhichitmustsosoonvanishandbelost。
’Father，’saidOlinthus，’thouonwhoseformthemiracleoftheRedeemerworked；thouwhowertsnatchedfromthegravetobecomethelivingwitnessofHismercyandHispower；behold！astrangerinourmeeting——anewlambgatheredtothefold！’
’Letmeblesshim，’saidtheoldman：thethronggaveway。Apaecidesapproachedhimasbyaninstinct：hefellonhiskneesbeforehim——theoldmanlaidhishandonthepriest’shead，andblessedhim，butnotaloud。Ashislipsmoved，hiseyeswereupturned，andtears——thosetearsthatgoodmenonlyshedinthehopeofhappinesstoanother——flowedfastdownhischeeks。
Thechildrenwereoneithersideoftheconvert；hisheartwastheirs——hehadbecomeasoneofthem——toenterintothekingdomofHeaven。
ChapterIV
THESTREAMOFLOVERUNSON。WHITHER？
DAYSarelikeyearsintheloveoftheyoung，whennobar，noobstacle，isbetweentheirhearts——whenthesunshines，andthecourserunssmooth——whentheirloveisprosperousandconfessed。IonenolongerconcealedfromGlaucustheattachmentshefeltforhim，andtheirtalknowwasonlyoftheirlove。Overtheraptureofthepresentthehopesofthefutureglowedliketheheavenabovethegardensofspring。Theywentintheirtrustfulthoughtsfardownthestreamoftime：theylaidoutthechartoftheirdestinytocome；theysufferedthelightofto—daytosuffusethemorrow。
Intheyouthoftheirheartsitseemedasifcare，andchange，anddeath，wereasthingsunknown。PerhapstheylovedeachotherthemorebecausetheconditionoftheworldlefttoGlaucusnoaimandnowishbutlove；becausethedistractionscommoninfreestatestomen’saffectionsexistednotfortheAthenian；becausehiscountrywooedhimnottothebustleofcivillife；
becauseambitionfurnishednocounterpoisetolove：and，therefore，overtheirschemesandprojects，loveonlyreigned。Intheironagetheyimaginedthemselvesofthegolden，doomedonlytoliveandtolove。
Tothesuperficialobserver，whointerestshimselfonlyincharactersstronglymarkedandbroadlycolored，boththeloversmayseemoftooslightandcommonplaceamould：inthedelineationofcharacterspurposelysubdued，thereadersometimesimaginesthatthereisawantofcharacter；perhaps，indeed，Iwrongtherealnatureofthesetwoloversbynotpaintingmoreimpressivelytheirstrongerindividualities。Butindwellingsomuchontheirbrightandbirdlikeexistence，Iaminfluencedalmostinsensiblybytheforethoughtofthechangesthatawaitthem，andforwhichtheyweresoillprepared。Itwasthisverysoftnessandgaietyoflifethatcontrastedmoststronglythevicissitudesoftheircomingfate。Fortheoakwithoutfruitorblossom，whosehardandruggedheartisfittedforthestorm，thereislessfearthanforthedelicatebranchesofthemyrtle，andthelaughingclustersofthevine。
TheyhadnowadvancedfarintoAugust——thenextmonththeirmarriagewasfixed，andthethresholdofGlaucuswasalreadywreathedwithgarlands；andnightly，bythedoorofIone，hepouredforththerichlibations。Heexistednolongerforhisgaycompanions；hewaseverwithIone。Inthemorningstheybeguiledthesunwithmusic：intheeveningstheyforsookthecrowdedhauntsofthegayforexcursionsonthewater，oralongthefertileandvine—cladplainsthatlaybeneaththefatalmountofVesuvius。Theearthshooknomore；thelivelyPompeiansforgoteventhattherehadgoneforthsoterribleawarningoftheirapproachingdoom。Glaucusimaginedthatconvulsion，inthevanityofhisheathenreligion，anespecialinterpositionofthegods，lessinbehalfofhisownsafetythanthatofIone。Heofferedupthesacrificesofgratitudeatthetemplesofhisfaith；andeventhealtarofIsiswascoveredwithhisvotivegarlands——astotheprodigyoftheanimatedmarble，heblushedattheeffectithadproducedonhim。Hebelievedit，indeed，tohavebeenwroughtbythemagicofman；buttheresultconvincedhimthatitbetokenednottheangerofagoddess。
OfArbaces，theyheardonlythathestilllived；stretchedonthebedofsuffering，herecoveredslowlyfromtheeffectoftheshockhehadsustained——helefttheloversunmolested——butitwasonlytobroodoverthehourandthemethodofrevenge。
AlikeintheirmorningsatthehouseofIone，andintheireveningexcursions，Nydiawasusuallytheirconstant，andoftentheirsolecompanion。Theydidnotguessthesecretfireswhichconsumedher——theabruptfreedomwithwhichshemingledintheirconversation——hercapriciousandoftenherpeevishmoodsfoundreadyindulgenceintherecollectionoftheservicetheyowedher，andtheircompassionforheraffliction。Theyfeltaninterestinher，perhapsthegreaterandmoreaffectionatefromtheverystrangenessandwaywardnessofhernature，hersingularalternationsofpassionandsoftness——themixtureofignoranceandgenius——ofdelicacyandrudeness——ofthequickhumorsofthechild，andtheproudcalmnessofthewoman。Althoughsherefusedtoacceptoffreedom，shewasconstantlysufferedtobefree；shewentwhereshelisted；nocurbwasputeitheronherwordsoractions；theyfeltforonesodarklyfated，andsosusceptibleofeverywound，thesamepityingandcompliantindulgencethemotherfeelsforaspoiledandsicklychild——dreadingtoimposeauthority，evenwheretheyimagineditforherbenefit。Sheavailedherselfofthislicensebyrefusingthecompanionshipoftheslavewhomtheywishedtoattendher。
Withtheslenderstaffbywhichsheguidedhersteps，shewentnow，asinherformerunprotectedstate，alongthepopulousstreets：itwasalmostmiraculoustoperceivehowquicklyandhowdexterouslyshethreadedeverycrowd，avoidingeverydanger，andcouldfindherbenightedwaythroughthemostintricatewindingsofthecity。ButherchiefdelightwasstillinvisitingthefewfeetofgroundwhichmadethegardenofGlaucus——intendingtheflowersthatatleastrepaidherlove。Sometimessheenteredthechamberwherehesat，andsoughtaconversation，whichshenearlyalwaysbrokeoffabruptly——forconversationwithGlaucusonlytendedtoonesubject——Ione；andthatnamefromhislipsinflictedagonyuponher。OftenshebitterlyrepentedtheserviceshehadrenderedtoIone：oftenshesaidinly，’Ifshehadfallen，Glaucuscouldhavelovedhernolonger’；andthendarkandfearfulthoughtscreptintoherbreast。
Shehadnotexperiencedfullythetrialsthatwereinstoreforher，whenshehadbeenthusgenerous。ShehadneverbeforebeenpresentwhenGlaucusandIoneweretogether；shehadneverheardthatvoicesokindtoher，somuchsoftertoanother。TheshockthatcrushedherheartwiththetidingsthatGlaucusloved，hadatfirstonlysaddenedandbenumbed——bydegreesjealousytookawilderandfiercershape；itpartookofhatred——itwhisperedrevenge。Asyouseethewindonlyagitatethegreenleafuponthebough，whiletheleafwhichhaslainwitheredandsearedontheground，bruisedandtrampledupontillthesapandlifearegone，issuddenlywhirledaloft——nowhere——nowthere——withoutstayandwithoutrest；sothelovewhichvisitsthehappyandthehopefulhathbutfreshnessonitswings！itsviolenceisbutsportive。Buttheheartthathathfallenfromthegreenthingsoflife，thatiswithouthope，thathathnosummerinitsfibres，istornandwhirledbythesamewindthatbutcaressesitsbrethren——ithathnoboughtoclingto——itisdashedfrompathtopath——tillthewindsfall，anditiscrushedintothemireforever。
ThefriendlesschildhoodofNydiahadhardenedprematurelyhercharacter；
perhapstheheatedscenesofprofligacythroughwhichshehadpassed，seeminglyunscathed，hadripenedherpassions，thoughtheyhadnotsulliedherpurity。TheorgiesofBurbomightonlyhavedisgusted，thebanquetsoftheEgyptianmightonlyhaveterrified，atthemoment；butthewindsthatpassunheededoverthesoilleaveseedsbehindthem。Asdarkness，too，favorstheimagination，so，perhaps，herveryblindnesscontributedtofeedwithwildanddeliriousvisionstheloveoftheunfortunategirl。ThevoiceofGlaucushadbeenthefirstthathadsoundedmusicallytoherear；hiskindnessmadeadeepimpressionuponhermind；whenhehadleftPompeiiintheformeryear，shehadtreasuredupinherhearteverywordhehaduttered；andwhenanyonetoldherthatthisfriendandpatronofthepoorflower—girlwasthemostbrilliantandthemostgracefuloftheyoungrevellersofPompeii，shehadfeltapleasingprideinnursinghisrecollection。Eventhetaskwhichsheimposeduponherself，oftendinghisflowers，servedtokeephiminhermind；sheassociatedhimwithallthatwasmostcharmingtoherimpressions；andwhenshehadrefusedtoexpresswhatimageshefanciedIonetoresemble，itwaspartly，perhaps，thatwhateverwasbrightandsoftinnatureshehadalreadycombinedwiththethoughtofGlaucus。Ifanyofmyreaderseverlovedatanagewhichtheywouldnowsmiletoremember——anageinwhichfancyforestalledthereason，letthemsaywhetherthatlove，amongallitsstrangeandcomplicateddelicacies，wasnot，aboveallotherandlaterpassions，susceptibleofjealousy？Iseeknotherethecause：Iknowthatitiscommonlythefact。
WhenGlaucusreturnedtoPompeii，Nydiahadtoldanotheryearoflife；thatyear，withitssorrows，itsloneliness，itstrials，hadgreatlydevelopedhermindandheart；andwhentheAtheniandrewherunconsciouslytohisbreast，deemingherstillinsoulasinyearsachild——whenhekissedhersmoothcheek，andwoundhisarmroundhertremblingframe，Nydiafeltsuddenly，andasbyrevelation，thatthosefeelingsshehadlongandinnocentlycherishedwereoflove。DoomedtoberescuedfromtyrannybyGlaucus——doomedtotakeshelterunderhisroof——doomedtobreathe，butforsobriefatime，thesameair——anddoomed，inthefirstrushofathousandhappy，grateful，delicioussentimentsofanoverflowingheart，tohearthathelovedanother；tobecommissionedtothatother，themessenger，theminister；tofeelallatoncethatutternothingnesswhichshewas——whichsheevermustbe，butwhich，tillthen，heryoungmindhadnottaughther——thatutternothingnesstohimwhowasalltoher；whatwonderthat，inherwildandpassionatesoul，alltheelementsjarreddiscordant；thatiflovereignedoverthewhole，itwasnotthelovewhichisbornofthemoresacredandsoftemotions？SometimesshedreadedonlylestGlaucusshoulddiscoverhersecret；sometimesshefeltindignantthatitwasnotsuspected：
itwasasignofcontempt——couldheimaginethatshepresumedsofar？HerfeelingstoIoneebbedandflowedwitheveryhour；nowshelovedherbecausehedid；nowshehatedhimforthesamecause。Thereweremomentswhenshecouldhavemurderedherunconsciousmistress；momentswhenshecouldhavelaiddownlifeforher。Thesefierceandtremulousalternationsofpassionweretooseveretobebornelong。Herhealthgaveway，thoughshefeltitnot——hercheekpaled——herstepgrewfeebler——tearscametohereyesmoreoften，andrelievedherless。
Onemorning，whensherepairedtoherusualtaskinthegardenoftheAthenian，shefoundGlaucusunderthecolumnsoftheperistyle，withamerchantofthetown；hewasselectingjewelsforhisdestinedbride。Hehadalreadyfittedupherapartment；thejewelsheboughtthatdaywereplacedalsowithinit——theywereneverfatedtogracethefairformofIone；
theymaybeseenatthisdayamongthedisinterredtreasuresofPompeii，inthechambersofthestudioatNaples。
’Comehither，Nydia；putdownthyvase，andcomehither。Thoumusttakethischainfromme——stay——there，Ihaveputiton。There，Servilius，doesitnotbecomeher？’
’Wonderfully！’answeredthejeweller；forjewellerswerewell—bredandflatteringmen，evenatthatday。’Butwhentheseear—ringsglitterintheearsofthenobleIone，then，byBacchus！youwillseewhethermyartaddsanythingtobeauty。’
’Ione？’repeatedNydia，whohadhithertoacknowledgedbysmilesandblushesthegiftofGlaucus。
’Yes，’repliedtheAthenian，carelesslytoyingwiththegems；’IamchoosingapresentforIone，buttherearenoneworthyofher。’
HewasstartledashespokebyanabruptgestureofNydia；shetorethechainviolentlyfromherneck，anddasheditontheground。
’Howisthis？What，Nydia，dostthounotlikethebauble？artthouoffended？’
’Youtreatmeeverasaslaveandasachild，’repliedtheThessalian，withill—suppressedsobs，andsheturnedhastilyawaytotheoppositecornerofthegarden。
Glaucusdidnotattempttofollow，ortosoothe；hewasoffended；hecontinuedtoexaminethejewelsandtocommentontheirfashion——toobjecttothisandtopraisethat，andfinallytobetalkedbythemerchantintobuyingall；thesafestplanforalover，andaplanthatanyonewilldorighttoadopt，providedalwaysthathecanobtainanIone！
Whenhehadcompletedhispurchaseanddismissedthejeweller，heretiredintohischamber，dressed，mountedhischariot，andwenttoIone。Hethoughtnomoreoftheblindgirl，orheroffence；hehadforgottenboththeoneandtheother。
HespenttheforenoonwithhisbeautifulNeapolitan，repairedthencetothebaths，supped（if，aswehavesaidbefore，wecanjustlysotranslatethethreeo’clockcoenaoftheRomans）alone，andabroad，forPompeiihaditsrestaurateurs——andreturninghometochangehisdressereheagainrepairedtothehouseofIone，hepassedtheperistyle，butwiththeabsorbedreverieandabsenteyesofamaninlove，anddidnotnotetheformofthepoorblindgirl，bendingexactlyinthesameplacewherehehadlefther。Butthoughhesawhernot，herearrecognizedatoncethesoundofhisstep。
Shehadbeencountingthemomentstohisreturn。Hehadscarcelyenteredhisfavoritechamber，whichopenedontheperistyle，andseatedhimselfmusinglyonhiscouch，whenhefelthisrobetimorouslytouched，and，turning，hebeheldNydiakneelingbeforehim，andholdinguptohimahandfulofflowers——agentleandappropriatepeace—offering——hereyes，darklyupheldtohisown，streamedwithtears。
’Ihaveoffendedthee，’saidshe，sobbing，’andforthefirsttime。Iwoulddieratherthancausetheeamoment’spain——saythatthouwiltforgiveme。
See！Ihavetakenupthechain；Ihaveputiton：Iwillneverpartfromit——itisthygift。’
’MydearNydia，’returnedGlaucus，andraisingher，hekissedherforehead，’thinkofitnomore！Butwhy，mychild，wertthousosuddenlyangry？I
couldnotdivinethecause？’
’Donotask！’saidshe，coloringviolently。’Iamathingfulloffaultsandhumors；youknowIambutachild——yousaysooften：isitfromachildthatyoucanexpectareasonforeveryfolly？’
’But，prettiest，youwillsoonbeachildnomore；andifyouwouldhaveustreatyouasawoman，youmustlearntogovernthesesingularimpulsesandgalesofpassion。ThinknotIchide：no，itisforyourhappinessonlyI
speak。’
’Itistrue，’saidNydia，’ImustlearntogovernmyselfImustbide，Imustsuppress，myheart。Thisisawoman’staskandduty；methinkshervirtueishypocrisy。’
’Self—controlisnotdeceit，myNydia，’returnedtheAthenian；andthatisthevirtuenecessaryaliketomanandtowoman；itisthetruesenatorialtoga，thebadgeofthedignityitcovers！’
’Self—control！self—control！Well，well，whatyousayisright！WhenI
listentoyou，Glaucus，mywildestthoughtsgrowcalmandsweet，andadeliciousserenityfallsoverme。Advise，ah！guidemeever，mypreserver！’
’Thyaffectionateheartwillbethybestguide，Nydia，whenthouhastlearnedtoregulateitsfeelings。’
’Ah！thatwillbenever，’sighedNydia，wipingawayhertears。
’Saynotso：thefirsteffortistheonlydifficultone。’
’Ihavemademanyfirstefforts，’answeredNydia，innocently。’Butyou，myMentor，doyoufinditsoeasytocontrolyourself？Canyouconceal，canyouevenregulate，yourloveforIone？’
’Love！dearNydia：ah！thatisquiteanothermatter，’answeredtheyoungpreceptor。
’Ithoughtso！’returnedNydia，withamelancholysmile。’Glaucus，wiltthoutakemypoorflowers？Dowiththemasthouwilt——thoucanstgivethemtoIone，’addedshe，withalittlehesitation。
’Nay，Nydia，’answeredGlaucus，kindly，diviningsomethingofjealousyinherlanguage，thoughheimagineditonlythejealousyofavainandsusceptiblechild；’Iwillnotgivethyprettyflowerstoanyone。Sithereandweavethemintoagarland；Iwillwearitthisnight：itisnotthefirstthosedelicatefingershavewovenforme。’