’Yes；intheearlypartofnextmonth。’
’Sosoon！Artthouwelladvisedofthis？’
’Fromthelipsofherownslave。’
’Itshallnotbe！’saidtheEgyptian，impetuously。’Fearnothing，Glaucusshallbethine。Yethow，whenthouobtainestit，canstthouadministertohimthispotion？’
’Myfatherhasinvitedhim，and，Ibelieve，theNeapolitanalso，toabanquet，onthedayfollowingto—morrow：Ishallthenhavetheopportunitytoadministerit。’
’Sobeit！’saidtheEgyptian，witheyesflashingsuchfiercejoy，thatJulia’sgazesanktremblingbeneaththem。’To—morroweve，then，orderthylitter——thouhastoneatthycommand？’
’Surely——yes，’returnedthepurse—proudJulia。
’Orderthylitter——attwomiles’distancefromthecityisahouseofentertainment，frequentedbythewealthierPompeians，fromtheexcellenceofitsbaths，andthebeautyofitsgardens。Therecanstthoupretendonlytoshapethycourse——there，illordying，IwillmeettheebythestatueofSilenus，inthecopsethatskirtsthegarden；andImyselfwillguidetheetothewitch。Letuswaittill，withtheeveningstar，thegoatsoftheherdsmenaregonetorest；whenthedarktwilightconcealsus，andnoneshallcrossoursteps。Gohomeandfearnot。ByHades，swearsArbaces，thesorcererofEgypt，thatIoneshallneverwedwithGlaucus。’
’AndthatGlaucusshallbemine，’addedJulia，fillinguptheincompletedsentence。
’Thouhastsaidit！’repliedArbaces；andJulia，halffrightenedatthisunhallowedappointment，buturgedonbyjealousyandthepiqueofrivalship，evenmorethanlove，resolvedtofulfillit。
Leftalone，Arbacesburstforth：
’Brightstarsthatneverlie，yealreadybegintheexecutionofyourpromises——successinlove，andvictoryoverfoes，fortherestofmysmoothexistence。Intheveryhourwhenmymindcoulddevisenocluetothegoalofvengeance，haveyesentthisfairfoolformyguide？’Hepausedindeepthought。’Yes，’saidheagain，butinacalmervoice；’Icouldnotmyselfhavegiventoherthepoison，thatshallbeindeedaphiltre！——hisdeathmightbethustrackedtomydoor。Butthewitch——ay，thereisthefit，thenaturalagentofmydesigns！’
Hesummonedoneofhisslaves，badehimhastentotrackthestepsofJulia，andacquainthimselfwithhernameandcondition。Thisdone，hesteppedforthintotheportico。Theskiesweresereneandclear；buthe，deeplyreadinthesignsoftheirvariouschange，beheldinonemassofcloud，faronthehorizon，whichthewindbeganslowlytoagitate，thatastormwasbroodingabove。
’Itislikemyvengeance，’saidhe，ashegazed；’theskyisclear，butthecloudmoveson。’
ChapterIX
STORMINTHESOUTH。THEWITCH’SCAVERN。
ITwaswhentheheatsofnoondiedgraduallyawayfromtheearth，thatGlaucusandIonewentforthtoenjoythecooledandgratefulair。Atthattime，variouscarriageswereinuseamongtheRomans；theonemostusedbytherichercitizens，whentheyrequirednocompanionintheirexcursion，wasthebiga，alreadydescribedintheearlyportionofthiswork；thatappropriatedtothematrons，wastermedcarpentum，whichhadcommonlytwowheels；theancientsusedalsoasortoflitter，avastsedan—chair，morecommodiouslyarrangedthanthemodern，inasmuchastheoccupantthereofcouldliedownatease，insteadofbeingperpendicularlyandstifflyjostledupanddown。Therewasanothercarriage，usedbothfortravellingandforexcursionsinthecountry；itwascommodious，containingthreeorfourpersonswithease，havingacoveringwhichcouldberaisedatpleasure；and，inshort，answeringverymuchthepurposeof（thoughverydifferentinshapefrom）themodernbritska。Itwasavehicleofthisdescriptionthatthelovers，accompaniedbyonefemaleslaveofIone，nowusedintheirexcursion。Abouttenmilesfromthecity，therewasatthatdayanoldruin，theremainsofatemple，evidentlyGrecian；andasforGlaucusandIoneeverythingGrecianpossessedaninterest，theyhadagreedtovisittheseruins：itwasthithertheywerenowbound。
Theirroadlayamongvinesandolive—groves；till，windingmoreandmoretowardsthehighergroundofVesuvius，thepathgrewrugged；themulesmovedslowly，andwithlabor；andateveryopeninginthewoodtheybeheldthosegreyandhorrentcavernsindentingtheparchedrock，whichStrabohasdescribed；butwhichthevariousrevolutionsoftimeandthevolcanohaveremovedfromthepresentaspectofthemountain。Thesun，slopingtowardshisdescent，castlonganddeepshadowsoverthemountain；hereandtheretheystillheardtherusticreedoftheshepherdamongstcopsesofthebeechwoodandwildoak。Sometimestheymarkedtheformofthesilk—hairedandgracefulcapella，withitswreathinghornandbrightgreyeye——which，stillbeneathAusonianskies，recallstheecloguesofMaro，browsinghalf—wayupthehills；andthegrapes，alreadypurplewiththesmilesofthedeepeningsummer，glowedoutfromthearchedfestoons，whichhungpendentfromtreetotree。Abovethem，lightcloudsfloatedinthesereneheavens，sweepingsoslowlyathwartthefirmamentthattheyscarcelyseemedtostir；
while，ontheirright，theycaught，everandanon，glimpsesofthewavelesssea，withsomelightbarkskimmingitssurface；andthesunlightbreakingoverthedeepinthosecountlessandsoftesthuessopeculiartothatdelicioussea。
’Howbeautiful！’saidGlaucus，inahalf—whisperedtone，’isthatexpressionbywhichwecallEarthourMother！Withwhatakindlyequalloveshepoursherblessingsuponherchildren！andeventothosesterilespotstowhichNaturehasdeniedbeauty，sheyetcontrivestodispensehersmiles：witnessthearbutusandthevine，whichshewreathesoverthearidandburningsoilofyonextinctvolcano。Ah！insuchanhourandsceneasthis，wellmightweimaginethattheFaunshouldpeepforthfromthosegreenfestoons；or，thatwemighttracethestepsoftheMountainNymphthroughthethickestmazesoftheglade。ButtheNymphsceased，beautifulIone，whenthouwertcreated！’
Thereisnotonguethatflatterslikealover’s；andyet，intheexaggerationofhisfeelings，flatteryseemstohimcommonplace。Strangeandprodigalexuberance，whichsoonexhaustsitselfbyoverflowing！
Theyarrivedattheruins；theyexaminedthemwiththatfondnesswithwhichwetracethehallowedandhouseholdvestigesofourownancestry——theylingeredtheretillHesperusappearedintherosyheavens；andthenreturninghomewardinthetwilight，theyweremoresilentthantheyhadbeen；forintheshadowandbeneaththestarstheyfeltmoreoppressivelytheirmutuallove。
ItwasatthistimethatthestormwhichtheEgyptianhadpredictedbegantocreepvisiblyoverthem。Atfirst，alowanddistantthundergavewarningoftheapproachingconflictoftheelements；andthenrapidlyrushedabovethedarkranksoftheserriedclouds。Thesuddennessofstormsinthatclimateissomethingalmostpreternatural，andmightwellsuggesttoearlysuperstitionthenotionofadivineagency——afewlargedropsbrokeheavilyamongtheboughsthathalfoverhungtheirpath，andthen，swiftandintolerablybright，theforkedlightningdartedacrosstheirveryeyes，andwasswallowedupbytheincreasingdarkness。
’Swifter，goodCarrucarius！’criedGlaucustothedriver；’thetempestcomesonapace。’
Theslaveurgedonthemules——theywentswiftovertheunevenandstonyroad——thecloudsthickened，nearandmorenearbrokethethunder，andfastrushedthedashingrain。
’Dostthoufear？’whisperedGlaucus，ashesoughtexcuseinthestormtocomenearertoIone。
’Notwiththee，’saidshe，softly。
Atthatinstant，thecarriage，fragileandill—contrived（as，despitetheirgracefulshapes，were，forpracticaluses，mostofsuchinventionsatthattime），struckviolentlyintoadeeprut，overwhichlayalogoffallenwood；thedriver，withacurse，stimulatedhismulesyetfasterfortheobstacle，thewheelwastornfromthesocket，andthecarriagesuddenlyoverset。
Glaucus，quicklyextricatinghimselffromthevehicle，hastenedtoassistIone，whowasfortunatelyunhurt；withsomedifficultytheyraisedthecarruca（orcarriage），andfoundthatitceasedanylongereventoaffordthemshelter；thespringsthatfastenedthecoveringweresnappedasunder，andtherainpouredfastandfiercelyintotheinterior。
Inthisdilemma，whatwastobedone？Theywereyetsomedistancefromthecity——nohouse，noaid，seemednear。
’Thereis，’saidtheslave，’asmithaboutamileoff；Icouldseekhim，andhemightfastenatleastthewheeltothecarruca——but，Jupiter！howtherainbeats；mymistresswillbewetbeforeIcomeback。’
’Runthitheratleast，’saidGlaucus；’wemustfindthebestshelterwecantillyoureturn。’
Thelanewasovershadowedwithtrees，beneaththeamplestofwhichGlaucusdrewIone。Heendeavored，bystrippinghisowncloak，toshieldheryetmorefromtherapidrain；butitdescendedwithafurythatbrokethroughallpunyobstacles：andsuddenly，whileGlaucuswasyetwhisperingcouragetohisbeautifulcharge，thelightningstruckoneofthetreesimmediatelybeforethem，andsplitwithamightycrashitshugetrunkintwain。Thisawfulincidentapprisedthemofthedangertheybravedintheirpresentshelter，andGlaucuslookedanxiouslyroundforsomelessperilousplaceofrefuge。’Wearenow，’saidhe，’half—wayuptheascentofVesuvius；thereoughttobesomecavern，orhollowinthevine—cladrocks，couldwebutfindit，inwhichthedesertingNymphshaveleftashelter。’Whilethussayinghemovedfromthetrees，and，lookingwistfullytowardsthemountain，discoveredthroughtheadvancinggloomaredandtremulouslightatnoconsiderabledistance。’Thatmustcome，’saidhe，’fromthehearthofsomeshepherdorvine—dresser——itwillguideustosomehospitableretreat。Wiltthoustayhere，whileI——yetno——thatwouldbetoleavetheetodanger。’
’Iwillgowithyoucheerfully，’saidIone。’Openasthespaceseems，itisbetterthanthetreacherousshelteroftheseboughs。’
Halfleading，halfcarryingIone，Glaucus，accompaniedbythetremblingfemaleslave，advancedtowardsthelight，whichyetburnedredandsteadfastly。Atlengththespacewasnolongeropen；wildvinesentangledtheirsteps，andhidfromthem，savebyimperfectintervals，theguidingbeam。Butfasterandfiercercametherain，andthelightningassumeditsmostdeadlyandblastingform；theywerestilltherefore，impelledonward，hoping，atlast，ifthelighteludedthem，toarriveatsomecottageorsomefriendlycavern。Thevinesgrewmoreandmoreintricate——thelightwasentirelysnatchedfromthem；butanarrowpath，whichtheytrodwithlaborandpain，guidedonlybytheconstantandlong—lingeringflashesofthestorm，continuedtoleadthemtowardsitsdirection。Therainceasedsuddenly；precipitousandroughcragsofscorchedlavafrownedbeforethem，renderedmorefearfulbythelightningthatilluminedthedarkanddangeroussoil。Sometimestheblazelingeredovertheiron—greyheapsofscoria，coveredinpartwithancientmossesorstuntedtrees，asifseekinginvainforsomegentlerproductofearth，moreworthyofitsire；andsometimesleavingthewholeofthatpartofthesceneindarkness，thelightning，broadandsheeted，hungredlyovertheocean，tossingfarbelow，untilitswavesseemedglowingintofire；andsointensewastheblaze，thatitbroughtvividlyintovieweventhesharpoutlineofthemoredistantwindingsofthebay，fromtheeternalMisenum，withitsloftybrow，tothebeautifulSorrentumandthegianthillsbehind。
Ourloversstoppedinperplexityanddoubt，whensuddenly，asthedarknessthatgloomedbetweenthefierceflashesoflightningoncemorewrappedthemround，theysawnear，buthigh，beforethem，themysteriouslight。Anotherblaze，inwhichheavenandearthwerereddened，madevisibletothemthewholeexpanse；nohousewasnear，butjustwheretheyhadbeheldthelight，theythoughttheysawintherecessofthecaverntheoutlineofahumanform。Thedarknessoncemorereturned；thelight，nolongerpaledbeneaththefiresofheaven，burnedforthagain：theyresolvedtoascendtowardsit；
theyhadtowindtheirwayamongvastfragmentsofstone，hereandthereoverhungwithwildbushes；buttheygainednearerandnearertothelight，andatlengththeystoodoppositethemouthofakindofcavern，apparentlyformedbyhugesplintersofrockthathadfallentransverselyathwarteachother：and，lookingintothegloom，eachdrewbackinvoluntarilywithasuperstitiousfearandchill。
Afireburnedinthefarrecessofthecave；andoveritwasasmallcauldron；onatallandthincolumnofironstoodarudelamp；overthatpartofthewall，atthebaseofwhichburnedthefire，hunginmanyrows，asiftodry，aprofusionofherbsandweeds。Afox，couchedbeforethefire，gazeduponthestrangerswithitsbrightandredeye——itshairbristling——andalowgrowlstealingfrombetweenitsteeth；inthecentreofthecavewasanearthenstatue，whichhadthreeheadsofasingularandfantasticcast：theywereformedbytherealskullsofadog，ahorse，andaboar；alowtripodstoodbeforethiswildrepresentationofthepopularHecate。
Butitwasnottheseappendagesandappliancesofthecavethatthrilledthebloodofthosewhogazedfearfullytherein——itwasthefaceofitsinmate。
Beforethefire，withthelightshiningfulluponherfeatures，satawomanofconsiderableage。PerhapsinnocountryarethereseensomanyhagsasinItaly——innocountrydoesbeautysoawfullychange，inage，tohideousnessthemostappallingandrevolting。Buttheoldwomannowbeforethemwasnotoneofthesespecimensoftheextremeofhumanugliness；onthecontrary，hercountenancebetrayedtheremainsofaregularbuthighandaquilineorderoffeature：withstonyeyesturneduponthem——withalookthatmetandfascinatedtheirs——theybeheldinthatfearfulcountenancetheveryimageofacorpse！——thesame，theglazedandlustrelessregard，theblueandshrunkenlips，thedrawnandhollowjaw——thedead，lankhair，ofapalegrey——thelivid，green，ghastlyskin，whichseemedallsurelytingedandtaintedbythegrave！
’Itisadeadthing，’saidGlaucus。
’Nay——itstirs——itisaghostorlarva，’falteredIone，assheclungtotheAthenian’sbreast。
’Oh，away，away！’groanedtheslave，’itistheWitchofVesuvius！’
’Whoareye？’saidahollowandghostlyvoice。’Andwhatdoyehere？’
Thesound，terribleanddeathlikeasitwas——suitingwellthecountenanceofthespeaker，andseemingratherthevoiceofsomebodilesswandereroftheStyxthanlivingmortal，wouldhavemadeIoneshrinkbackintothepitilessfuryofthestorm，butGlaucus，thoughnotwithoutsomemisgiving，drewherintothecavern。
’Wearestorm—beatenwanderersfromtheneighboringcity，’saidhe，’anddecoyedhitherbyyonlight；wecraveshelterandthecomfortofyourhearth。’
Ashespoke，thefoxrosefromtheground，andadvancedtowardsthestrangers，showing，fromendtoend，itswhiteteeth，anddeepeninginitsmenacinggrowl。
’Down，slave！’saidthewitch；andatthesoundofhervoicethebeastdroppedatonce，coveringitsfacewithitsbrush，andkeepingonlyitsquick，vigilanteyefixedupontheinvadersofitsrepose。’Cometothefireifyewill！’saidshe，turningtoGlaucusandhiscompanions。’Ineverwelcomelivingthing——savetheowl，thefox，thetoad，andtheviper——soI
cannotwelcomeye；butcometothefirewithoutwelcome——whystanduponform？’
ThelanguageinwhichthehagaddressedthemwasastrangeandbarbarousLatin，interlardedwithmanywordsofsomemorerude，andancientdialect。
Shedidnotstirfromherseat，butgazedstonilyuponthemasGlaucusnowreleasedIoneofherouterwrappinggarments，andmakingherplaceherselfonalogofwood，whichwastheonlyotherseatheperceivedathand——fannedwithhisbreaththeembersintoamoreglowingflame。Theslave，encouragedbytheboldnessofhersuperiors，divestedherselfalsoofherlongpalla，andcrepttimorouslytotheoppositecornerofthehearth。
’Wedisturbyou，Ifear，’saidthesilvervoiceofIone，inconciliation。
Thewitchdidnotreply——sheseemedlikeonewhohasawakenedforamomentfromthedead，andhasthenrelapsedoncemoreintotheeternalslumber。
’Tellme，’saidshe，suddenly，andafteralongpause，’areyebrotherandsister？’
’No，’saidIone，blushing。
’Areyemarried？’
’Notso，’repliedGlaucus。
’Ho，lovers！——ha！——ha！——ha！’andthewitchlaughedsoloudandsolongthatthecavernsrangagain。
TheheartofIonestoodstillatthatstrangemirth。Glaucusmutteredarapidcounterspelltotheomen——andtheslaveturnedaspaleasthecheekofthewitchherself。
’Whydostthoulaugh，oldcrone？’saidGlaucus，somewhatsternly，asheconcludedhisinvocation。
’DidIlaugh？’saidthehag，absently。
’Sheisinherdotage，’whisperedGlaucus：ashesaidthis，hecaughttheeyeofthehagfixeduponhimwithamalignantandvividglare。
’Thouliest！’saidshe，abruptly。
’Thouartanuncourteouswelcomer，’returnedGlaucus。
’Hush！provokehernot，dearGlaucus！’whisperedIone。
’IwilltelltheewhyIlaughedwhenIdiscoveredyewerelovers，’saidtheoldwoman。’Itwasbecauseitisapleasuretotheoldandwitheredtolookuponyoungheartslikeyours——andtoknowthetimewillcomewhenyouwillloatheeachother——loathe——loathe——ha！——ha！——ha！’
ItwasnowIone’sturntoprayagainsttheunpleasingprophecy。
’Thegodsforbid！’saidshe。’Yet，poorwoman，thouknowestlittleoflove，orthouwouldstknowthatitneverchanges。’
’WasIyoungonce，thinkye？’returnedthehag，quickly；’andamIold，andhideous，anddeathlynow？Suchasistheform，soistheheart。’Withthesewordsshesankagainintoastillnessprofoundandfearful，asifthecessationoflifeitself。
’Hastthoudweltherelong？’saidGlaucus，afterapause，feelinguncomfortablyoppressedbeneathasilencesoappalling。
’Ah，long！——yes。’
’Itisbutadrearabode。’
’Ha！thoumaystwellsaythat——Hellisbeneathus！’repliedthehag，pointingherbonyfingertotheearth。’AndIwilltelltheeasecret——thedimthingsbelowarepreparingwrathforyeabove——you，theyoung，andthethoughtless，andthebeautiful。’
’Thouutterestbutevilwords，illbecomingthehospitable，’saidGlaucus；
’andinfutureIwillbravethetempestratherthanthywelcome。’
’Thouwiltdowell。Noneshouldeverseekme——savethewretched！’
’Andwhythewretched？’askedtheAthenian。
’Iamthewitchofthemountain，’repliedthesorceress，withaghastlygrin；’mytradeistogivehopetothehopeless：forthecrossedinloveI
havephiltres；fortheavaricious，promisesoftreasure；forthemalicious，potionsofrevenge；forthehappyandthegood，Ihaveonlywhatlifehas——curses！Troublemenomore。
Withthisthegrimtenantofthecaverelapsedintoasilencesoobstinateandsullen，thatGlaucusinvainendeavoredtodrawherintofartherconversation。Shedidnotevince，byanyalterationofherlockedandrigidfeatures，thatsheevenheardhim。Fortunately，however，thestorm，whichwasbriefasviolent，begannowtorelax；theraingrewlessandlessfierce；andatlast，asthecloudsparted，themoonburstforthinthepurpleopeningofheaven，andstreamedclearandfullintothatdesolateabode。Neverhadsheshone，perhaps，onagroupmoreworthyofthepainter’sart。Theyoung，theall—beautifulIone，seatedbythatrudefire——herloveralreadyforgetfulofthepresenceofthehag，atherfeet，gazingupwardtoherface，andwhisperingsweetwords——thepaleandaffrightedslaveatalittledistance——andtheghastlyhagrestingherdeadlyeyesuponthem；yetseeminglysereneandfearless（forthecompanionshipoflovehathsuchpower）werethesebeautifulbeings，thingsofanothersphere，inthatdarkandunholycavern，withitsgloomyquaintnessofappurtenance。Thefoxregardedthemfromhiscornerwithhiskeenandfieryeye：andasGlaucusnowturnedtowardsthewitch，heperceivedforthefirsttime，justunderherseat，thebrightgazeandcrestedheadofalargesnake：whetheritwasthatthevividcoloringoftheAthenian’scloak，thrownovertheshouldersofIone，attractedthereptile’sanger——itscrestbegantoglowandrise，asifmenacingandpreparingitselftospringupontheNeapolitan——Glaucuscaughtquicklyatoneofthehalf—burnedlogsuponthehearth——and，asifenragedattheaction，thesnakecameforthfromitsshelter，andwithaloudhissraiseditselfonendtillitsheightnearlyapproachedthatoftheGreek。
’Witch！’criedGlaucus，’commandthycreature，orthouwiltseeitdead。’
’Ithasbeendespoiledofitsvenom！’saidthewitch，arousedathisthreat；
buterethewordshadleftherlip，thesnakehadsprunguponGlaucus；quickandwatchful，theagileGreekleapedlightlyaside，andstrucksofellanddexterousablowontheheadofthesnake，thatitfellprostrateandwrithingamongtheembersofthefire。
Thehagsprungup，andstoodconfrontingGlaucuswithafacewhichwouldhavebefittedthefiercestoftheFuries，soutterlydireandwrathfulwasitsexpression——yeteveninhorrorandghastlinesspreservingtheoutlineandtraceofbeauty——andutterlyfreefromthatcoarsegrotesqueatwhichtheimaginationsoftheNorthhavesoughtthesourceofterror。’Thouhast，’saidshe，inaslowandsteadyvoice——whichbeliedtheexpressionofherface，somuchwasitpassionlessandcalm——’thouhasthadshelterundermyroof，andwarmthatmyhearth；thouhastreturnedevilforgood；thouhastsmittenandhaplyslainthethingthatlovedmeandwasmine：nay，more，thecreature，aboveallothers，consecratedtogodsanddeemedvenerablebyman，——nowhearthypunishment。Bythemoon，whoistheguardianofthesorceress——byOrcus，whoisthetreasurerofwrath——Icursethee！andthouartcursed！Maythylovebeblasted——maythynamebeblackened——maytheinfernalsmarkthee——maythyheartwitherandscorch——maythylasthourrecalltotheetheprophetvoiceoftheSagaofVesuvius！Andthou，’sheadded，turningsharplytowardsIone，andraisingherrightarm，whenGlaucusburstimpetuouslyonherspeech：
’Hag！’criedhe，’forbear！Methouhastcursed，andIcommitmyselftothegods——Idefyandscornthee！butbreathebutonewordagainstyonmaiden，andIwillconverttheoathonthyfoullipstothydyinggroan。Beware！’
’Ihavedone，’repliedthehag，laughingwildly；’forinthydoomisshewholovestheeaccursed。Andnottheless，thatIheardherlipsbreathethyname，andknowbywhatwordtocommendtheetothedemons。Glaucus——thouartdoomed！’Sosaying，thewitchturnedfromtheAthenian，andkneelingdownbesideherwoundedfavorite，whichshedraggedfromthehearth，sheturnedtothemherfacenomore。
’OGlaucus！’saidIone，greatlyterrified，’whathavewedone？——Letushastenfromthisplace；thestormhasceased。Goodmistress，forgivehim——recallthywords——hemeantbuttodefendhimself——acceptthispeace—offeringtounsaythesaid’：andIone，stooping，placedherpurseonthehag’slap。
’Away！’saidshe，bitterly——’away！TheoathoncewoventheFatesonlycanuntie。Away！’
’Come，dearest！’saidGlaucus，impatiently。’Thinkestthouthatthegodsaboveusorbelowheartheimpotentravingsofdotage？Come！’
LongandloudrangtheechoesofthecavernwiththedreadlaughoftheSaga——shedeignednofurtherreply。
Theloversbreathedmorefreelywhentheygainedtheopenair：yetthescenetheyhadwitnessed，thewordsandthelaughterofthewitch，stillfearfullydweltwithIone；andevenGlaucuscouldnotthoroughlyshakeofftheimpressiontheybequeathed。Thestormhadsubsided——save，nowandthen，alowthundermutteredatthedistanceamidstthedarkerclouds，oramomentaryflashoflightningaffrontedthesovereigntyofthemoon。Withsomedifficultytheyregainedtheroad，wheretheyfoundthevehiclealreadysufficientlyrepairedfortheirdeparture，andthecarrucariuscallingloudlyuponHerculestotellhimwherehischargehadvanished。
GlaucusvainlyendeavoredtocheertheexhaustedspiritsofIone；andscarcelessvainlytorecovertheelastictoneofhisownnaturalgaiety。Theysoonarrivedbeforethegateofthecity：asitopenedtothem，alitterbornebyslavesimpededtheway。
’Itistoolateforegress，’criedthesentineltotheinmateofthelitter。
’Notso，’saidavoice，whichtheloversstartedtohear；itwasavoicetheywellrecognized。’IamboundtothevillaofMarcusPolybius。Ishallreturnshortly。IamArbacestheEgyptian。’
Thescruplesofhimatthegatewereremoved，andthelitterpassedclosebesidethecarriagethatborethelovers。
’Arbaces，atthishour！——scarcerecoveredtoo，methinks！——Whitherandforwhatcanheleavethecity？’saidGlaucus。
’Alas！’repliedIone，burstingintotears，’mysoulfeelsstillmoreandmoretheomenofevil。Preserveus，OyeGods！oratleast，’shemurmuredinly，’preservemyGlaucus！’
ChapterX
THELORDOFTHEBURNINGBELTANDHISMINION。FATEWRITESHERPROPHECYIN
REDLETTERS，BUTWHOSHALLREADTHEM？
ARBACEShadtarriedonlytillthecessationofthetempestallowedhim，undercoverofnight，toseektheSagaofVesuvius。Bornebythoseofhistrustierslavesinwhominallmoresecretexpeditionshewasaccustomedtoconfide，helayextendedalonghislitter，andresigninghissanguinehearttothecontemplationofvengeancegratifiedandlovepossessed。Theslavesinsoshortajourneymovedverylittleslowerthantheordinarypaceofmules；andArbacessoonarrivedatthecommencementofanarrowpath，whichthelovershadnotbeenfortunateenoughtodiscover；butwhich，skirtingthethickvines，ledatoncetothehabitationofthewitch。Hereherestedthelitter；andbiddinghisslavesconcealthemselvesandthevehicleamongthevinesfromtheobservationofanychancepassenger，hemountedalone，withstepsstillfeeblebutsupportedbyalongstaff，thedrearandsharpascent。
Notadropofrainfellfromthetranquilheaven；butthemoisturedrippedmournfullyfromtheladenboughsofthevine，andnowandthencollectedintinypoolsinthecrevicesandhollowsoftherockyway。
’Strangepassionstheseforaphilosopher，’thoughtArbaces，’thatleadonelikemejustnewfromthebedofdeath，andlappedeveninhealthamidsttherosesofluxury，acrosssuchnocturnalpathsasthis；butPassionandVengeancetreadingtotheirgoalcanmakeanElysiumofaTartarus。’High，clear，andmelancholyshonethemoonabovetheroadofthatdarkwayfarer，glossingherselfineverypoolthatlaybeforehim，andsleepinginshadowalongtheslopingmount。Hesawbeforehimthesamelightthathadguidedthestepsofhisintendedvictims，but，nolongercontrastedbytheblackenedclouds，itshonelessredlyclear。