Hepaused，asatlengthheapproachedthemouthofthecavern，torecoverbreath；andthen，withhiswontedcollectedandstatelymien，hecrossedtheunhallowedthreshold。
Thefoxsprangupattheingressofthisnewcomer，andbyalonghowlannouncedanothervisitortohismistress。
Thewitchhadresumedherseat，andheraspectofgravelikeandgrimrepose。
Byherfeet，uponabedofdryweedswhichhalfcoveredit，laythewoundedsnake；butthequickeyeoftheEgyptiancaughtitsscalesglitteringinthereflectedlightoftheoppositefire，asitwrithed——nowcontracting，nowlengthening，itsfolds，inpainandunsatedanger。
’Down，slave！’saidthewitch，asbefore，tothefox；and，asbefore，theanimaldroppedtotheground——mute，butvigilant。
’Rise，servantofNoxandErebus！’saidArbaces，commandingly；’asuperiorinthineartsalutesthee！rise，andwelcomehim。’
AtthesewordsthehagturnedhergazeupontheEgyptian’stoweringformanddarkfeatures。Shelookedlongandfixedlyuponhim，ashestoodbeforeherinhisOrientalrobe，andfoldedarms，andsteadfastandhaughtybrow。’Whoartthou，’shesaidatlast，’thatcallestthyselfgreaterinartthantheSagaoftheBurningFields，andthedaughteroftheperishedEtrurianrace？’
’Iamhe，’answeredArbaces，’fromwhomallcultivatorsofmagic，fromnorthtosouth，fromeasttowest，fromtheGangesandtheNiletothevalesofThessalyandtheshoresoftheyellowTiber，havestoopedtolearn。’
’Thereisbutonesuchmanintheseplaces，’answeredthewitch，’whomthemenoftheouterworld，unknowinghisloftierattributesandmoresecretfame，callArbacestheEgyptian：tousofahighernatureanddeeperknowledge，hisrightfulappellationisHermesoftheBurningGirdle。’
’Lookagain，returnedArbaces：’Iamhe。’
Ashespokehedrewasidehisrobe，andrevealedacinctureseeminglyoffire，thatburnedaroundhiswaist，claspedinthecentrebyaplatewhereonwasengravensomesignapparentlyvagueandunintelligiblebutwhichwasevidentlynotunknowntotheSaga。Sherosehastily，andthrewherselfatthefeetofArbaces。’Ihaveseen，then，’saidshe，inavoiceofdeephumility，’theLordoftheMightyGirdle——vouchsafemyhomage。’
’Rise，’saidtheEgyptian；’Ihaveneedofthee。’
Sosaying，heplacedhimselfonthesamelogofwoodonwhichIonehadrestedbefore，andmotionedtothewitchtoresumeherseat。
’Thousayest，’saidhe，assheobeyed，’thatthouartadaughteroftheancientEtruriantribes；themightywallsofwhoserock—builtcitiesyetfrownabovetherobberracethathathseizedupontheirancientreign。
PartlycamethosetribesfromGreece，partlyweretheyexilesfromamoreburningandprimevalsoil。IneithercaseartthouofEgyptianlineage，fortheGrecianmastersoftheaboriginalhelotwereamongtherestlesssonswhomtheNilebanishedfromherbosom。Equally，then，OSaga！thydescentisfromancestorsthatsworeallegiancetomineown。Bybirthasbyknowledge，artthouthesubjectofArbaces。Hearme，then，andobey！’
Thewitchbowedherhead。
’Whateverartwepossessinsorcery，’continuedArbaces，’wearesometimesdriventonaturalmeanstoattainourobject。Theringandthecrystal，andtheashesandtheherbs，donotgiveunerringdivinations；neitherdothehighermysteriesofthemoonyieldeventhepossessorofthegirdleadispensationfromthenecessityofemployingeverandanonhumanmeasuresforahumanobject。Markme，then：thouartdeeplyskilled，methinks，inthesecretsofthemoredeadlyherbs；thouknowestthosewhicharrestlife，whichburnandscorchthesoulfromouthercitadel，orfreezethechannelsofyoungbloodintothaticewhichnosuncanmelt。DoIoverratethyskill？Speak，andtruly！’
’MightyHermes，suchloreis，indeed，mineown。Deigntolookattheseghostlyandcorpse—likefeatures；theyhavewanedfromthehuesoflifemerelybywatchingovertherankherbswhichsimmernightanddayinyoncauldron。’
TheEgyptianmovedhisseatfromsounblessedorsounhealthfulavicinityasthewitchspoke。
’Itiswell，’saidhe；’thouhastlearnedthatmaximofallthedeeperknowledgewhichsaith，\"Despisethebodytomakewisethemind。\"Buttothytask。Therecomethtotheebyto—morrow’sstarlightavainmaiden，seekingofthineartalove—charmtofascinatefromanothertheeyesthatshouldutterbutsofttalestoherown：insteadofthyphiltres，givethemaidenoneofthymostpowerfulpoisons。LettheloverbreathehisvowstotheShades。’
Thewitchtrembledfromheadtofoot。
’Ohpardon！pardon！dreadmaster，’saidshe，falteringly，’butthisIdarenot。Thelawinthesecitiesissharpandvigilant；theywillseize，theywillslayme。’
’Forwhatpurpose，then，thyherbsandthypotions，vainSaga？’saidArbaces，sneeringly。
Thewitchhidherloathsomefacewithherhands。
’Oh！yearsago，’saidshe，inavoiceunlikeherusualtones，soplaintivewasit，andsosoft，’IwasnotthethingthatIamnow。Iloved，Ifanciedmyselfbeloved。’
’Andwhatconnectionhaththylove，witch，withmycommands？’saidArbaces，impetuously。
’Patience，’resumedthewitch；’patience，Iimplore。Iloved！anotherandlessfairthanI——yes，byNemesis！lessfair——alluredfrommemychosen。I
wasofthatdarkEtruriantribetowhommostofallwereknownthesecretsofthegloomiermagic。Mymotherwasherselfasaga：shesharedtheresentmentofherchild；fromherhandsIreceivedthepotionthatwastorestoremehislove；andfromher，also，thepoisonthatwastodestroymyrival。Oh，crushme，dreadwalls！mytremblinghandsmistookthephials，myloverfellindeedatmyfeet；butdead！dead！dead！Sincethen，whathasbeenlifetomeIbecamesuddenlyold，Idevotedmyselftothesorceriesofmyrace；stillbyanirresistibleimpulseIcursemyselfwithanawfulpenance；stillIseekthemostnoxiousherbs；stillIconcoctthepoisons；
stillIimaginethatIamtogivethemtomyhatedrival；stillIpourthemintothephial；stillIfancythattheyshallblastherbeautytothedust；
stillIwakeandseethequiveringbody，thefoaminglips，theglazingeyesofmyAulus——murdered，andbyme！’
Theskeletonframeofthewitchshookbeneathstrongconvulsions。
Arbacesgazeduponherwithacuriousthoughcontemptuouseye。
’Andthisfoulthinghasyethumanemotions！’thoughthe；’stillshecowersovertheashesofthesamefirethatconsumesArbaces！——Suchareweall！
Mysticisthetieofthosemortalpassionsthatunitethegreatestandtheleast。’
Hedidnotreplytillshehadsomewhatrecoveredherself，andnowsatrockingtoandfroinherseat，withglassyeyesfixedontheoppositeflame，andlargetearsrollingdownherlividcheeks。
’Agrievoustaleisthine，intruth，’saidArbaces。’Buttheseemotionsarefitonlyforouryouth——ageshouldhardenourheartstoallthingsbutourselves；aseveryyearaddsascaletotheshell—fish，soshouldeachyearwallandincrusttheheart。Thinkofthosefrenziesnomore！Andnow，listentomeagain！Bytherevengethatwasdeartothee，Icommandtheetoobeyme！itisforvengeancethatIseekthee！ThisyouthwhomIwouldsweepfrommypathhascrossedme，despitemyspells：——thisthingofpurpleandbroidery，ofsmilesandglances，soullessandmindless，withnocharmbutthatofbeauty——accursedbeit！——thisinsect——thisGlaucus——Itellthee，byOrcusandbyNemesis，hemustdie。’
Andworkinghimselfupateveryword，theEgyptian，forgetfulofhisdebility——ofhisstrangecompanion——ofeverythingbuthisownvindictiverage，strode，withlargeandrapidsteps，thegloomycavern。
’Glaucus！saidstthou，mightymaster！’saidthewitch，abruptly；andherdimeyeglaredatthenamewithallthatfierceresentmentatthememoryofsmallaffrontssocommonamongstthesolitaryandtheshunned。
’Ay，soheiscalled；butwhatmattersthename？Letitnotbeheardasthatofalivingmanthreedaysfromthisdate！’
’Hearme！’saidthewitch，breakingfromashortreverieintowhichshewasplungedafterthislastsentenceoftheEgyptian。’Hearme！Iamthythingandthyslave！spareme！IfIgivetothemaidenthouspeakestofthatwhichwoulddestroythelifeofGlaucus，Ishallbesurelydetected——thedeadeverfindavengers。Nay，dreadman！ifthyvisittomebetracked，ifthyhatredtoGlaucusbeknown，thoumayesthaveneedofthyarchestmagictoprotectthyself！’
’Ha！’saidArbaces，stoppingsuddenlyshort；andasaproofofthatblindnesswithwhichpassiondarkenstheeyesevenofthemostacute，thiswasthefirsttimewhentheriskthathehimselfranbythismethodofvengeancehadoccurredtoamindordinarilywaryandcircumspect。
’But，’continuedthewitch，’ifinsteadofthatwhichshallarresttheheart，Igivethatwhichshallsearandblastthebrain——whichshallmakehimwhoquaffsitunfitfortheusesandcareeroflife——anabject，raving，benightedthing——smitingsensetodrivellingyouthtodotage——willnotthyvengeancebeequallysated——thyobjectequallyattained？’
’Oh，witch！nolongertheservant，butthesister——theequalofArbaces——howmuchbrighteriswoman’swit，eveninvengeance，thanours！howmuchmoreexquisitethandeathissuchadoom！’
’And，’continuedthehag，gloatingoverherfellscheme，’inthisisbutlittledanger；forbytenthousandmethods，whichmenforbeartoseek，canourvictimbecomemad。Hemayhavebeenamongthevinesandseenanymph——orthevineitselfmayhavehadthesameeffect——ha，ha！theyneverinquiretooscrupulouslyintothesemattersinwhichthegodsmaybeagents。
Andlettheworstarrive——letitbeknownthatitisalove—charm——why，madnessisacommoneffectofphiltres；andeventhefairshethatgaveitfindsindulgenceintheexcuse。MightyHermes，haveIministeredtotheecunningly？’
’Thoushalthavetwentyyears’longerdateforthis，’returnedArbaces。’I
willwriteanewtheepochofthyfateonthefaceofthepalestars——thoushaltnotserveinvaintheMasteroftheFlamingBelt。Andhere，Saga，carvetheeout，bythesegoldentools，awarmercellinthisdrearycavern——oneservicetomeshallcountervailathousanddivinationsbysieveandshearstothegapingrustics。’Sosaying，hecastupontheflooraheavypurse，whichclinkednotunmusicallytotheearofthehag，wholovedtheconsciousnessofpossessingthemeanstopurchasecomfortsshedisdained。
’Farewell，’saidArbaces，’failnot——outwatchthestarsinconcoctingthybeverage——thoushaltlorditoverthysistersattheWalnut—tree，’whenthoutellestthemthatthypatronandthyfriendisHermestheEgyptian。
To—morrownightwemeetagain。’
Hestayednottohearthevaledictionorthethanksofthewitch；withaquickstephepassedintothemoonlitair，andhasteneddownthemountain。
Thewitch，whofollowedhisstepstothethreshold，stoodattheentranceofthecavern，gazingfixedlyonhisrecedingform；andasthesadmoonlightstreamedoverhershadowyformanddeathlikeface，emergingfromthedismalrocks，itseemedasifonegifted，indeed，bysupernaturalmagichadescapedfromthedrearyOrcus；and，theforemostofitsghostlythrong，stoodatitsblackportals——vainlysummoninghisreturn，orvainlysighingtorejoinhim。
Thehag，thenslowlyre—enteringthecave，groaninglypickeduptheheavypurse，tookthelampfromitsstand，and，passingtotheremotestdepthofhercell，ablackandabruptpassage，whichwasnotvisible，saveatanearapproach，closedroundasitwaswithjuttingandsharpcrags，yawnedbeforeher：shewentseveralyardsalongthisgloomypath，whichslopedgraduallydownwards，asiftowardsthebowelsoftheearth，and，liftingastone，depositedhertreasureinaholebeneath，which，asthelamppierceditssecrets，seemedalreadytocontaincoinsofvariousvalue，wrungfromthecredulityorgratitudeofhervisitors。
’Ilovetolookatyou，’saidshe，apostrophisingthemoneys；’forwhenI
seeyouIfeelthatIamindeedofpower。AndIamtohavetwentyyears’
longerlifetoincreaseyourstore！OthougreatHermes！’
Shereplacedthestone，andcontinuedherpathonwardforsomepaces，whenshestoppedbeforeadeepirregularfissureintheearth。Here，asshebent——strange，rumbling，hoarse，anddistantsoundsmightbeheard，whileeverandanon，withaloudandgratingnoisewhich，touseahomelybutfaithfulsimile，seemedtoresemblethegrindingofsteeluponwheels，volumesofstreaminganddarksmokeissuedforth，andrushedspirallyalongthecavern。
’TheShadesarenoisierthantheirwont，’saidthehag，shakinghergreylocks；and，lookingintothecavity，shebeheld，fardown，glimpsesofalongstreakoflight，intenselybutdarklyred。’Strange！’shesaid，shrinkingback；’itisonlywithinthelasttwodaysthatdull，deeplighthathbeenvisible——whatcanitportend？’
Thefox，whohadattendedthestepsofhisfellmistress，utteredadismalhowl，andrancoweringbacktotheinnercave；acoldshudderingseizedthehagherselfatthecryoftheanimal，which，causelessasitseemed，thesuperstitionsofthetimeconsidereddeeplyominous。Shemutteredherplacatorycharm，andtotteredbackintohercavern，where，amidstherherbsandincantations，shepreparedtoexecutetheordersoftheEgyptian。
’Hecalledmedotard，’saidshe，asthesmokecurledfromthehissingcauldron：’whenthejawsdrop，andthegrindersfall，andtheheartscarcebeats，itisapitiablethingtodote；butwhen，’sheadded，withasavageandexultinggrin，’theyoung，andthebeautiful，andthestrong，aresuddenlysmittenintoidiocy——ah，thatisterrible！Burn，flame——simmerherb——sweltertoad——Icursedhim，andheshallbecursed！’
Onthatnight，andatthesamehourwhichwitnessedthedarkandunholyinterviewbetweenArbacesandtheSaga，Apaecideswasbaptized。
ChapterXI
PROGRESSOFEVENTS。THEPLOTTHICKENS。THEWEBISWOVEN，BUTTHENET
CHANGESHANDS。
’ANDyouhavethecouragethen，Julia，toseektheWitchofVesuviusthisevening；incompany，too，withthatfearfulman？’
’Why，Nydia？’repliedJulia，timidly；’dostthoureallythinkthereisanythingtodread？Theseoldhags，withtheirenchantedmirrors，theirtremblingsieves，andtheirmoon—gatheredherbs，are，Iimagine，butcraftyimpostors，whohavelearned，perhaps，nothingbuttheverycharmforwhichI
applytotheirskill，andwhichisdrawnbutfromtheknowledgeofthefield’sherbsandsimples。WhereforeshouldIdread？’
’Dostthounotfearthycompanion？’
’What，Arbaces？ByDian，Ineversawlovermorecourteousthanthatsamemagician！Andwerehenotsodark，hewouldbeevenhandsome。’
Blindasshewas，NydiahadthepenetrationtoperceivethatJulia’smindwasnotonethatthegallantriesofArbaceswerelikelytoterrify。Shethereforedissuadedhernomore：butnursedinherexcitedheartthewildandincreasingdesiretoknowifsorceryhadindeedaspelltofascinatelovetolove。
’Letmegowiththee，nobleJulia，’saidsheatlength；’mypresenceisnoprotection，butIshouldliketobebesidetheetothelast。’
’Thineofferpleasesmemuch，’repliedthedaughterofDiomed。’Yethowcanstthoucontriveit？wemaynotreturnuntillate，theywillmissthee。’
’Ioneisindulgent，’repliedNydia。’Ifthouwiltpermitmetosleepbeneaththyroof，Iwillsaythatthou，anearlypatronessandfriend，hastinvitedmetopassthedaywiththee，andsingtheemyThessaliansongs；hercourtesywillreadilygranttotheesolightaboon。’
’Nay，askforthyself！’saidthehaughtyJulia。’IstooptorequestnofavorfromtheNeapolitan！’
’Well，beitso。Iwilltakemyleavenow；makemyrequest，whichIknowwillbereadilygranted，andreturnshortly。’
’Doso；andthybedshallbepreparedinmyownchamber。’Withthat，NydialeftthefairPompeian。
OnherwaybacktoIoneshewasmetbythechariotofGlaucus，onwhosefieryandcurvetingsteedswasrivetedthegazeofthecrowdedstreet。
Hekindlystoppedforamomenttospeaktotheflower—girl。
’Bloomingasthineownroses，mygentleNydia！andhowisthyfairmistress？——recovered，Itrust，fromtheeffectsofthestorm？’
’Ihavenotseenherthismorning，’answeredNydia，’but……’
’Butwhat？drawback——thehorsesaretoonearthee。’
’ButthinkyouIonewillpermitmetopassthedaywithJulia，thedaughterofDiomed？——Shewishesit，andwaskindtomewhenIhadfewfriends。’
’Thegodsblessthygratefulheart！IwillanswerforIone’spermission。’
’ThenImaystayoverthenight，andreturnto—morrow？’saidNydia，shrinkingfromthepraiseshesolittlemerited。
’AsthouandfairJuliaplease。Commendmetoher；andharkye，Nydia，whenthouhearestherspeak，notethecontrastofhervoicewiththatofthesilver—tonedIone。Vale！’
Hisspiritsentirelyrecoveredfromtheeffectofthepastnight，hislockswavinginthewind，hisjoyousandelasticheartboundingwitheveryspringofhisParthiansteeds，averyprototypeofhiscountry’sgod，fullofyouthandoflove——Glaucuswasbornerapidlytohismistress。
Enjoywhileyemaythepresent——whocanreadthefuture？
Astheeveningdarkened，Julia，reclinedwithinherlitter，whichwascapaciousenoughalsotoadmitherblindcompanion，tookherwaytotheruralbathsindicatedbyArbaces。Tohernaturallevityofdisposition，herenterprisebroughtlessofterrorthanofpleasurableexcitement；aboveall，sheglowedatthethoughtofhercomingtriumphoverthehatedNeapolitan。
Asmallbutgaygroupwascollectedroundthedoorofthevilla，asherlitterpassedbyittotheprivateentranceofthebathsappropriatedtothewomen。
’Methinks，bythisdimlight，’saidoneofthebystanders，’IrecognizetheslavesofDiomed。’
’True，Clodius，’saidSallust：’itisprobablythelitterofhisdaughterJulia。Sheisrich，myfriend；whydostthounotprofferthysuittoher？’
’Why，IhadoncehopedthatGlaucuswouldhavemarriedher。Shedoesnotdisguiseherattachment；andthen，ashegamblesfreelyandwithill—success……’
’Thesesterceswouldhavepassedtothee，wiseClodius。Awifeisagoodthing——whenitbelongstoanotherman！’
’But，’continuedClodius，’asGlaucusis，Iunderstand，towedtheNeapolitan，IthinkImusteventrymychancewiththedejectedmaid。Afterall，thelampofHymenwillbegilt，andthevesselwillreconcileonetotheodoroftheflame。Ishallonlyprotest，mySallust，againstDiomed’smakingtheetrusteetohisdaughter’sfortune。’
’Ha！ha！letuswithin，mycomissator；thewineandthegarlandswaitus。’
Dismissingherslavestothatpartofthehousesetapartfortheirentertainment，JuliaenteredthebathswithNydia，anddecliningtheoffersoftheattendants，passedbyaprivatedoorintothegardenbehind。
’Shecomesbyappointment，besure，’saidoneoftheslaves。
’Whatisthattothee？’saidasuperintendent，sourly；’shepaysforthebaths，anddoesnotwastethesaffron。Suchappointmentsarethebestpartofthetrade。Hark！doyounothearthewidowFulviaclappingherhands？
Run，fool——run！’
JuliaandNydia，avoidingthemorepublicpartofthegarden，arrivedattheplacespecifiedbytheEgyptian。InasmallcircularplotofgrassthestarsgleameduponthestatueofSilenus——themerrygodreclineduponafragmentofrock——thelynxofBacchusathisfeet——andoverhismouthheheld，withextendedarm，abunchofgrapes，whichheseeminglylaughedtowelcomeerehedevoured。
’Iseenotthemagician，’saidJulia，lookinground：when，asshespoke，theEgyptianslowlyemergedfromtheneighboringfoliage，andthelightfellpalelyoverhissweepingrobes。
’Salve，sweetmaiden！——Butha！whomhastthouhere？wemusthavenocompanions！’
’Itisbuttheblindflower—girl，wisemagician，’repliedJulia：’herselfaThessalian。’
’Oh！Nydia！’saidtheEgyptian。’Iknowherwell。’
Nydiadrewbackandshuddered。
’Thouhastbeenatmyhouse，methinks！’saidhe，approachinghisvoicetoNydia’sear；’thouknowesttheoath！——Silenceandsecrecy，nowasthen，orbeware！’
’Yet，’headded，musinglytohimself，’whyconfidemorethanisnecessary，evenintheblind——Julia，canstthoutrustthyselfalonewithme？Believeme，themagicianislessformidablethanheseems。’
Ashespoke，hegentlydrewJuliaaside。
’Thewitchlovesnotmanyvisitorsatonce，’saidhe：’leaveNydiaheretillyourreturn；shecanbeofnoassistancetous：and，forprotection——yourownbeautysuffices——yourownbeautyandyourownrank；yes，Julia，Iknowthynameandbirth。Come，trustthyselfwithme，fairrivaloftheyoungestoftheNaiads！’
ThevainJuliawasnot，aswehaveseen，easilyaffrighted；shewasmovedbytheflatteryofArbaces，andshereadilyconsentedtosufferNydiatoawaitherreturn；nordidNydiapressherpresence。AtthesoundoftheEgyptian’svoiceallherterrorofhimreturned：shefeltasentimentofpleasureatlearningshewasnottotravelinhiscompanionship。
ShereturnedtotheBath—house，andinoneoftheprivatechamberswaitedtheirreturn。Manyandbitterwerethethoughtsofthiswildgirlasshesatthereinhereternaldarkness。Shethoughtofherowndesolatefate，farfromhernativeland，farfromtheblandcaresthatonceassuagedtheAprilsorrowsofchildhood——deprivedofthelightofday，withnonebutstrangerstoguidehersteps，accursedbytheonesoftfeelingofherheart，lovingandwithouthope，savethedimandunholyraywhichshotacrosshermind，asherThessalianfanciesquestionedoftheforceofspellsandthegiftsofmagic。
Naturehadsownintheheartofthispoorgirltheseedsofvirtueneverdestinedtoripen。Thelessonsofadversityarenotalwayssalutary——sometimestheysoftenandamend，butasoftentheyindurateandpervert。Ifweconsiderourselvesmoreharshlytreatedbyfatethanthosearoundus，anddonotacknowledgeinourowndeedsthejusticeoftheseverity，webecometooapttodeemtheworldourenemy，tocaseourselvesindefiance，towrestleagainstoursofterself，andtoindulgethedarkerpassionswhicharesoeasilyfermentedbythesenseofinjustice。Soldearlyintoslavery，sentencedtoasordidtaskmaster，exchanginghersituation，onlyyetmoretoembitterherlot——thekindlierfeelings，naturallyprofuseinthebreastofNydia，werenippedandblighted。Hersenseofrightandwrongwasconfusedbyapassiontowhichshehadsomadlysurrenderedherself；andthesameintenseandtragicemotionswhichwereadofinthewomenoftheclassicage——aMyrrha，aMedea——andwhichhurriedandsweptawaythewholesoulwhenoncedeliveredtolove——ruled，andriotedin，herbreast。
Timepassed：alightstepenteredthechamberwhereNydiayetindulgedhergloomymeditations。
’Oh，thankedbetheimmortalgods！’saidJulia，’Ihavereturned，Ihaveleftthatterriblecavern！Come，Nydia！letusawayforthwith！’
ItwasnottilltheywereseatedinthelitterthatJuliaagainspoke。
’Oh！’saidshe，tremblingly，’suchascene！suchfearfulincantations！andthedeadfaceofthehag！——But，letustalknotofit。Ihaveobtainedthepotion——shepledgesitseffect。Myrivalshallbesuddenlyindifferenttohiseye，andI，Ialone，theidolofGlaucus！’
’Glaucus！’exclaimedNydia。
’Ay！Itoldthee，girl，atfirst，thatitwasnottheAthenianwhomIloved：
butIseenowthatImaytrusttheewholly——itisthebeautifulGreek！’
WhatthenwereNydia’semotions！shehadconnived，shehadassisted，intearingGlaucusfromIone；butonlytotransfer，byallthepowerofmagic，hisaffectionsyetmorehopelesslytoanother。Herheartswelledalmosttosuffocation——shegaspedforbreath——inthedarknessofthevehicle，Juliadidnotperceivetheagitationofhercompanion；shewentonrapidlydilatingonthepromisedeffectofheracquisition，andonherapproachingtriumphoverIone，everynowandthenabruptlydigressingtothehorrorofthesceneshehadquitted——theunmovedmienofArbaces，andhisauthorityoverthedreadfulSaga。
MeanwhileNydiarecoveredherself—possession：athoughtflashedacrossher：
shesleptinthechamberofJulia——shemightpossessherselfofthepotion。
TheyarrivedatthehouseofDiomed，anddescendedtoJulia’sapartment，wherethenight’srepastawaitedthem。
’Drink，Nydia，thoumustbecold，theairwaschillto—night；asforme，myveinsareyetice。’
AndJuliaunhesitatinglyquaffeddeepdraughtsofthespicedwine。
’Thouhastthepotion，’saidNydia；’letmeholditinmyhands。Howsmallthephialis！ofwhatcoloristhedraught？’
’Clearascrystal，’repliedJulia，assheretookthephiltre；’thoucouldstnottellitfromthiswater。Thewitchassuresmeitistasteless。Smallthoughthephial，itsufficesforalife’sfidelity：itistobepouredintoanyliquid；andGlaucuswillonlyknowwhathehasquaffedbytheeffect。’
’Exactlylikethiswaterinappearance？’
’Yes，sparklingandcolorlessasthis。Howbrightitseems！itisastheveryessenceofmoonlitdews。Brightthing！howthoushinestonmyhopesthroughthycrystalvase！’
’Andhowisitsealed？’
’Butbyonelittlestopper——Iwithdrawitnow——thedraughtgivesnoodor。
Strange，thatthatwhichspeakstoneithersenseshouldthuscommandall！’
’Istheeffectinstantaneous？’
’Usually——butsometimesitremainsdormantforafewhours。’
’Oh，howsweetisthisperfume！’saidNydia，suddenly，asshetookupasmallbottleonthetable，andbentoveritsfragrantcontents。
’Thinkestthouso？thebottleissetwithgemsofsomevalue。Thouwouldstnothavethebraceletyestermorn——wiltthoutakethebottle？’
’ItoughttobesuchperfumesasthesethatshouldremindonewhocannotseeofthegenerousJulia。Ifthebottlebenottoocostly……’
’Oh！Ihaveathousandcostlierones：takeit，child！’
Nydiabowedhergratitude，andplacedthebottleinhervest。
’Andthedraughtwouldbeequallyefficacious，whoeveradministersit？’
’Ifthemosthideoushagbeneaththesunbestowedit，suchisitsassertedvirtuethatGlaucuswoulddeemherbeautiful，andnonebuther！’
Julia，warmedbywine，andthereactionofherspirits，wasnowallanimationanddelight；shelaughedloud，andtalkedonahundredmatters——norwasittillthenighthadadvancedfartowardsmorningthatshesummonedherslavesandundressed。
Whentheyweredismissed，shesaidtoNydia，’Iwillnotsufferthisholydraughttoquitmypresencetillthehourcomesforitsuse。Lieundermypillow，brightspirit，andgivemehappydreams！’
Sosaying，sheplacedthepotionunderherpillow。Nydia’sheartbeatviolently。
’Whydostthoudrinkthatunmixedwater，Nydia？Takethewinebyitsside。’
’Iamfevered，’repliedtheblindgirl，’andthewatercoolsme。Iwillplacethisbottlebymybedside，itrefreshesinthesesummernights，whenthedewsofsleepfallnotonourlips。FairJulia，Imustleavetheeveryearly——soIonebids——perhapsbeforethouartawake；accept，therefore，nowmycongratulations。’
’Thanks：whennextwemeetyoumayfindGlaucusatmyfeet。’
Theyhadretiredtotheircouches，andJulia，wornoutbytheexcitementoftheday，soonslept。ButanxiousandburningthoughtsrolledoverthemindofthewakefulThessalian。ShelistenedtothecalmbreathingofJulia；andherear，accustomedtothefinestdistinctionsofsound，speedilyassuredherofthedeepslumberofhercompanion。
’Nowbefriendme，Venus！’saidshe，softly。