see，shediscoversme！’
’Oh！Glaucus！Glaucus！doyounotknowme？Ravenotsowildly，orthouwiltkillmewithaword！’
AnewchangeseemednowtooperateuponthejarringanddisorderedmindoftheunfortunateAthenian。HeputhishanduponNydia’ssilkenhair；hesmoothedthelocks——helookedwistfullyuponherface，andthen，asinthebrokenchainofthoughtoneortwolinkswereyetunsevered，itseemedthathercountenancebroughtitsassociationsofIone；andwiththatremembrancehismadnessbecameyetmorepowerful，anditswayedandtingedbypassion，asheburstforth：
’IswearbyVenus，byDiana，andbyJuno，thatthoughIhavenowtheworldonmyshoulders，asmycountrymanHercules（ah，dullRome！whoeverwastrulygreatwasofGreece；why，youwouldbegodlessifitwerenotforus！）——I
say，asmycountrymanHerculeshadbeforeme，IwouldletitfallintochaosforonesmilefromIone。Ah，Beautiful，——Adored，’headded，inavoiceinexpressiblyfondandplaintive，’thoulovestmenot。Thouartunkindtome。TheEgyptianhathbeliedmetothee——thouknowestnotwhathoursIhavespentbeneaththycasement——thouknowestnothowIhaveoutwatchedthestars，thinkingthou，mysun，wouldstriseatlast——andthoulovestmenot，thouforsakestme！Oh！donotleavemenow！Ifeelthatmylifewillnotbelong；letmegazeontheeatleastuntothelast。Iamofthebrightlandofthyfathers——IhavetrodtheheightsofPhyle——Ihavegatheredthehyacinthandroseamidsttheolive—grovesofIlyssus。Thoushouldstnotdesertme，forthyfatherswerebrotherstomyown。Andtheysaythislandislovely，andtheseclimesserene，butIwillbeartheewithme——Ho！darkform，whyrisestthoulikeacloudbetweenmeandmine？Deathsitscalmlydreaduponthybrow——onthylipisthesmilethatslays：thynameisOrcus，butonearthmencalltheeArbaces。See，Iknowthee！fly，dimshadow，thyspellsavailnot！’
’Glaucus！Glaucus！’murmuredNydia，releasingherholdandfalling，beneaththeexcitementofherdismay，remorse，andanguish，insensibleonthefloor。
’Whocalls？’saidheinaloudvoice。’Ione，itisshe！theyhaveborneheroff——wewillsaveher——whereismystilus？Ha，Ihaveit！Icome，Ione，tothyrescue！Icome！Icome！’
Sosaying，theAthenianwithoneboundpassedtheportico，hetraversedthehouse，andrushedwithswiftbutvacillatingsteps，andmutteringaudiblytohimself，downthestarlitstreets。Thedirefulpotionburntlikefireinhisveins，foritseffectwasmade，perhaps，stillmoresuddenfromthewinehehaddrunkpreviously。Usedtotheexcessesofnocturnalrevellers，thecitizens，withsmilesandwinks，gavewaytohisreelingsteps；theynaturallyimaginedhimundertheinfluenceoftheBromiangod，notvainlyworshippedatPompeii；buttheywholookedtwiceuponhisfacestartedinanamelessfear，andthesmilewitheredfromtheirlips。Hepassedthemorepopulousstreets；and，pursuingmechanicallythewaytoIone’shouse，hetraversedamoredesertedquarter，andenterednowthelonelygroveofCybele，inwhichApaecideshadheldhisinterviewwithOlinthus。
ChapterVI
AREUNIONOFDIFFERENTACTORS。STREAMSTHATFLOWEDAPPARENTLYAPARTRUSH
INTOONEGULF。
IMPATIENTtolearnwhetherthefelldrughadyetbeenadministeredbyJuliatohishatedrival，andwithwhateffect，Arbacesresolved，astheeveningcameon，toseekherhouse，andsatisfyhissuspense。Itwascustomary，asI
havebeforesaid，formenatthattimetocarryabroadwiththemthetabletsandthestilusattachedtotheirgirdle；andwiththegirdletheywereputoffwhenathome。Infact，undertheappearanceofaliteraryinstrument，theRomanscarriedaboutwiththeminthatsamestilusaverysharpandformidableweapon。ItwaswithhisstilusthatCassiusstabbedCaesarinthesenate—house。Taking，then，hisgirdleandhiscloak，Arbaceslefthishouse，supportinghissteps，whichwerestillsomewhatfeeble（thoughhopeandvengeancehadconspiredgreatlywithhisownmedicalscience，whichwasprofound，torestorehisnaturalstrength），byhislongstaff——ArbacestookhiswaytothevillaofDiomed。
Andbeautifulisthemoonlightofthesouth！Inthoseclimesthenightsoquicklyglidesintotheday，thattwilightscarcelymakesabridgebetweenthem。Onemomentofdarkerpurpleinthesky——ofathousandrose—huesinthewater——ofshadehalfvictoriousoverlight；andthenburstforthatoncethecountlessstars——themoonisup——nighthasresumedherreign！
Brightlythen，andsoftlybright，fellthemoonbeamsovertheantiquegroveconsecratedtoCybele——thestatelytrees，whosedatewentbeyondtradition，casttheirlongshadowsoverthesoil，whilethroughtheopeningsintheirboughsthestarsshone，stillandfrequent。Thewhitenessofthesmallsacelluminthecentreofthegrove，amidstthedarkfoliage，hadinitsomethingabruptandstartling；itrecalledatoncethepurposetowhichthewoodwasconsecrated——itsholinessandsolemnity。
Withaswiftandstealthypace，Calenus，glidingundertheshadeofthetrees，reachedthechapel，andgentlyputtingbacktheboughsthatcompletelyclosedarounditsrear，settledhimselfinhisconcealment；aconcealmentsocomplete，whatwiththefaneinfrontandthetreesbehind，thatnounsuspiciouspassengercouldpossiblyhavedetectedhim。Again，allwasapparentlysolitaryinthegrove：afaroffyouheardfaintlythevoicesofsomenoisyrevellersorthemusicthatplayedcheerilytothegroupsthatthen，asnowinthoseclimates，duringthenightsofsummer，lingeredinthestreets，andenjoyed，inthefreshairandtheliquidmoonlight，amilderday。
Fromtheheightonwhichthegrovewasplaced，yousawthroughtheintervalsofthetreesthebroadandpurplesea，ripplinginthedistance，thewhitevillasofStabiaeinthecurvingshore，andthedimLectiarianhillsminglingwiththedelicioussky。PresentlythetallfigureofArbaces，inhiswaytothehouseofDiomed，enteredtheextremeendofthegrove；andatthesameinstantApaecides，alsoboundtohisappointmentwithOlinthus，crossedtheEgyptian’spath。
’Hem！Apaecides，’saidArbaces，recognizingthepriestataglance；’whenlastwemet，youweremyfoe。Ihavewishedsincethentoseeyou，forI
wouldhaveyoustillmypupilandmyfriend。’
ApaecidesstartedatthevoiceoftheEgyptian；andhaltingabruptly，gazeduponhimwithacountenancefullofcontending，bitter，andscornfulemotions。
’Villainandimpostor！’saidheatlength；’thouhastrecoveredthenfromthejawsofthegrave！Butthinknotagaintoweavearoundmethyguiltymeshes。Retiarius，Iamarmedagainstthee！’
’Hush！’saidArbaces，inaverylowvoice——buthispride，whichinthatdescendantofkingswasgreat，betrayedthewounditreceivedfromtheinsultingepithetsofthepriestinthequiverofhislipandtheflushofhistawnybrow。’Hush！morelow！thoumayestbeoverheard，andifotherearsthanminehaddrunkthosesounds——why……’
’Dostthouthreaten？——whatifthewholecityhadheardme？’
’Themanesofmyancestorswouldnothavesufferedmetoforgivethee。But，hold，andhearme。ThouartenragedthatIwouldhaveofferedviolencetothysister。Nay，peace，peace，butoneinstant，Ipraythee。Thouartright；itwasthefrenzyofpassionandofjealousy——Ihaverepentedbitterlyofmymadness。Forgiveme；I，whoneverimploredpardonoflivingman，beseechtheenowtoforgiveme。Nay，Iwillatonetheinsult——Iaskthysisterinmarriage——startnot——consider——whatistheallianceofyonholidayGreekcomparedtomine？Wealthunbounded——birththatinitsfarantiquityleavesyourGreekandRomannamesthethingsofyesterday——science——butthatthouknowest！Givemethysister，andmywholelifeshallatoneamoment’serror。’
’Egyptian，wereevenItoconsent，mysisterloathestheveryairthoubreathest：butIhavemyownwrongstoforgive——Imaypardontheethatthouhastmademeatooltothydeceits，butneverthatthouhastseducedmetobecometheabettorofthyvices——apollutedandaperjuredman。
Tremble！——evennowIpreparethehourinwhichthouandthyfalsegodsshallbeunveiled。ThylewdandCirceanlifeshallbedraggedtoday——thymummingoraclesdisclosed——thefaneoftheidolIsisshallbeabywordandascorn——thenameofArbacesamarkforthehissesofexecration！Tremble！’
TheflushontheEgyptian’sbrowwassucceededbyalividpaleness。Helookedbehind，before，around，tofeelassuredthatnonewereby；andthenhefixedhisdarkanddilatingeyeonthepriest，withsuchagazeofwrathandmenace，thatone，perhaps，lesssupportedthanApaecidesbytheferventdaringofadivinezeal，couldnothavefacedwithunflinchinglookthatloweringaspect。Asitwas，however，theyoungconvertmetitunmoved，andreturneditwithaneyeofprouddefiance。
’Apaecides，’saidtheEgyptian，inatremulousandinwardtone，’beware！
Whatisitthouwouldstmeditate？Speakestthou——reflect，pausebeforethourepliest——fromthehastyinfluencesofwrath，asyetdiviningnosettledpurpose，orfromsomefixeddesign？’
’IspeakfromtheinspirationoftheTrueGod，whoseservantInowam，’
answeredtheChristian，boldly；’andintheknowledgethatbyHisgracehumancouragehasalreadyfixedthedateofthyhypocrisyandthydemon’sworship；erethricethesunhasdawned，thouwiltknowall！Darksorcerer，tremble，andfarewell！’
Allthefierceandluridpassionswhichheinheritedfromhisnationandhisclime，atalltimesbutillconcealedbeneaththeblandnessofcraftandthecoldnessofphilosophy，werereleasedinthebreastoftheEgyptian。
Rapidlyonethoughtchasedanother；hesawbeforehimanobstinatebarriertoevenalawfulalliancewithIone——thefellow—championofGlaucusinthestrugglewhichhadbaffledhisdesigns——therevilerofhisname——thethreateneddesecratorofthegoddessheservedwhilehedisbelieved——theavowedandapproachingrevealerofhisownimposturesandvices。Hislove，hisrepute，nay，hisverylife，mightbeindanger——thedayandhourseemedeventohavebeenfixedforsomedesignagainsthim。HeknewbythewordsoftheconvertthatApaecideshadadoptedtheChristianfaith：heknewtheindomitablezealwhichledontheproselytesofthatcreed。Suchwashisenemy；hegraspedhisstilus——thatenemywasinhispower！Theywerenowbeforethechapel；onehastyglanceoncemorehecastaround；hesawnonenear——silenceandsolitudealiketemptedhim。
’Die，then，inthyrashness！’hemuttered；’away，obstacletomyrushingfates！’
AndjustastheyoungChristianhadturnedtodepart，ArbacesraisedhishandhighovertheleftshoulderofApaecides，andplungedhissharpweapontwiceintohisbreast。
Apaecidesfelltothegroundpiercedtotheheart——hefellmute，withoutevenagroan，attheverybaseofthesacredchapel。
Arbacesgazeduponhimforamomentwiththefierceanimaljoyofconquestoverafoe。Butpresentlythefullsenseofthedangertowhichhewasexposedflasheduponhim；hewipedhisweaponcarefullyinthelonggrass，andwiththeverygarmentsofhisvictim；drewhiscloakroundhim，andwasabouttodepart，whenhesaw，comingupthepath，rightbeforehim，thefigureofayoungman，whosestepsreeledandvacillatedstrangelyasheadvanced：thequietmoonlightstreamedfulluponhisface，whichseemed，bythewhiteningray，colorlessasmarble。TheEgyptianrecognizedthefaceandformofGlaucus。TheunfortunateandbenightedGreekwaschantingadisconnectedandmadsong，composedfromsnatchesofhymnsandsacredodes，alljarringlywoventogether。
’Ha！’thoughttheEgyptian，instantaneouslydivininghisstateanditsterriblecause；’so，then，thehell—draughtworks，anddestinyhathsenttheehithertocrushtwoofmyfoesatonce！’
Quickly，evenerethisthoughtoccurredtohim，hehadwithdrawnononesideofthechapel，andconcealedhimselfamongsttheboughs；fromthatlurkingplacehewatched，asatigerinhislair，theadvanceofhissecondvictim。
HenotedthewanderingandrestlessfireinthebrightandbeautifuleyesoftheAthenian；theconvulsionsthatdistortedhisstatue—likefeatures，andwrithedhishuelesslip。HesawthattheGreekwasutterlydeprivedofreason。Nevertheless，asGlaucuscameuptothedeadbodyofApaecides，fromwhichthedarkredstreamflowedslowlyoverthegrass，sostrangeandghastlyaspectaclecouldnotfailtoarresthim，benightedanderringaswashisglimmeringsense。Hepaused，placedhishandtohisbrow，asiftocollecthimself，andthensaying：
’Whatho！Endymion，sleepestthousosoundly？Whathasthemoonsaidtothee？Thoumakestmejealous；itistimetowake’——hestoopeddownwiththeintentionofliftingupthebody。
Forgetting——feelingnot——hisowndebility，theEgyptiansprungfromhishiding—place，and，astheGreekbent，struckhimforciblytotheground，overtheverybodyoftheChristian；then，raisinghispowerfulvoicetoitshighestpitch，heshouted：
’Ho，citizens——oh！helpme！——runhither——hither！——Amurder——amurderbeforeyourveryfane！Help，orthemurdererescapes！’Ashespoke，heplacedhisfootonthebreastofGlaucus：anidleandsuperfluousprecaution；forthepotionoperatingwiththefall，theGreeklaytheremotionlessandinsensible，savethatnowandthenhislipsgaveventtosomevagueandravingsounds。
Ashetherestoodawaitingthecomingofthosehisvoicestillcontinuedtosummons，perhapssomeremorse，somecompunctiousvisitings——fordespitehiscrimeshewashuman——hauntedthebreastoftheEgyptian；thedefencelessstateofGlaucus——hiswanderingwords——hisshatteredreason，smotehimevenmorethanthedeathofApaecides，andhesaid，halfaudibly，tohimself：
’Poorclay！——poorhumanreason；whereisthesoulnow？Icouldsparethee，Omyrival——rivalnevermore！Butdestinymustbeobeyed——mysafetydemandsthysacrifice。’Withthat，asiftodrowncompunction，heshoutedyetmoreloudly；anddrawingfromthegirdleofGlaucusthestilusitcontained，hesteepeditinthebloodofthemurderedman，andlaiditbesidethecorpse。
Andnow，fastandbreathless，severalofthecitizenscamethrongingtotheplace，somewithtorches，whichthemoonrenderedunnecessary，butwhichflaredredandtremulouslyagainstthedarknessofthetrees；theysurroundedthespot。’Liftupyoncorpse，’saidtheEgyptian，’andguardwellthemurderer。’
Theyraisedthebody，andgreatwastheirhorrorandsacredindignationtodiscoverinthatlifelessclayapriestoftheadoredandvenerableIsis；
butstillgreater，perhaps，wastheirsurprise，whentheyfoundtheaccusedinthebrilliantandadmiredAthenian。
’Glaucus！’criedthebystanders，withoneaccord；’isitevencredible？’
’Iwouldsooner，’whisperedonemantohisneighbor，’believeittobetheEgyptianhimself。’
Hereacenturionthrusthimselfintothegatheringcrowd，withanairofauthority。
’How！bloodspilt！whothemurderer？’
ThebystanderspointedtoGlaucus。
’He！——byMars，hehasrathertheairofbeingthevictim！
’Whoaccuseshim？’
’I，’saidArbaces，drawinghimselfuphaughtily；andthejewelswhichadornedhisdressflashingintheeyesofthesoldier，instantlyconvincedthatworthywarriorofthewitness’srespectability。
’Pardonme——yourname？’saidhe。
’Arbaces；itiswellknownmethinksinPompeii。Passingthroughthegrove，IbeheldbeforemetheGreekandthepriestinearnestconversation。Iwasstruckbythereelingmotionsofthefirst，hisviolentgestures，andtheloudnessofhisvoice；heseemedtomeeitherdrunkormad。SuddenlyIsawhimraisehisstilus——Idartedforward——toolatetoarresttheblow。Hehadtwicestabbedhisvictim，andwasbendingoverhim，when，inmyhorrorandindignation，Istruckthemurderertotheground。Hefellwithoutastruggle，whichmakesmeyetmoresuspectthathewasnotaltogetherinhissenseswhenthecrimewasperpetrated；for，recentlyrecoveredfromasevereillness，myblowwascomparativelyfeeble，andtheframeofGlaucus，asyousee，isstrongandyouthful。’
’Hiseyesareopennow——hislipsmove，’saidthesoldier。’Speak，prisoner，whatsayestthoutothecharge？’
’Thecharge——ha——ha！Why，itwasmerrilydone；whentheoldhagsetherserpentatme，andHecatestoodbylaughingfromeartoear——whatcouldI
do？ButIamill——Ifaint——theserpent’sfierytonguehathbittenme。Bearmetobed，andsendforyourphysician；oldAEsculapiushimselfwillattendmeifyoulethimknowthatIamGreek。Oh，mercy——mercy！Iburn！——marrowandbrain，Iburn！’
And，withathrillingandfiercegroan，theAthenianfellbackinthearmsofthebystanders。
’Heraves，’saidtheofficer，compassionately；’andinhisdeliriumhehasstruckthepriest。Hathanyonepresentseenhimto—day！’
’I，’saidoneofthespectators，’beheldhiminthemorning。Hepassedmyshopandaccostedme。Heseemedwellandsaneasthestoutestofus！’
’AndIsawhimhalfanhourago，’saidanother，’passingupthestreets，mutteringtohimselfwithstrangegestures，andjustastheEgyptianhasdescribed。’
’Acorroborationofthewitness！itmustbetootrue。Hemustatalleventstothepraetor；apity，soyoungandsorich！Butthecrimeisdreadful：apriestofIsis，inhisveryrobes，too，andatthebaseitselfofourmostancientchapel！’
Atthesewordsthecrowdwereremindedmoreforcibly，thanintheirexcitementandcuriositytheyhadyetbeen，oftheheinousnessofthesacrilege。Theyshudderedinpioushorror。
’Nowondertheearthhasquaked，’saidone，’whenitheldsuchamonster！’
’Awaywithhimtoprison——away！’criedtheyall。
Andonesolitaryvoicewasheardshrillyandjoyouslyabovetherest：
’Thebeastswillnotwantagladiatornow，Ho，ho，forthemerry，merryshow！
ItwasthevoiceoftheyoungwomanwhoseconversationwithMedonhasbeenrepeated。
’True——true——itchancesinseasonforthegames！’criedseveral；andatthatthoughtallpityfortheaccusedseemedvanished。Hisyouth，hisbeauty，butfittedhimbetterforthepurposeofthearena。
’Bringhithersomeplanks——orifathand，alitter——tobearthedead，’saidArbaces：’apriestofIsisoughtscarcelytobecarriedtohistemplebyvulgarhands，likeabutcheredgladiator。’
AtthisthebystandersreverentlylaidthecorpseofApaecidesontheground，withthefaceupwards；andsomeofthemwentinsearchofsomecontrivancetobearthebody，untouchedbytheprofane。
Itwasjustatthattimethatthecrowdgavewaytorightandleftasasturdyformforceditselfthrough，andOlinthustheChristianstoodimmediatelyconfrontingtheEgyptian。Buthiseyes，atfirst，onlyrestedwithinexpressiblegriefandhorroronthatgorysideandupturnedface，onwhichtheagonyofviolentdeathyetlingered。
’Murdered！’hesaid。’Isitthyzealthathasbroughttheetothis？Havetheydetectedthynoblepurpose，andbydeathpreventedtheirownshame？’
Heturnedhisheadabruptly，andhiseyesfellfullonthesolemnfeaturesoftheEgyptian。
Ashelooked，youmightseeinhisface，andeventheslightshiverofhisframe，therepugnanceandaversionwhichtheChristianfeltforonewhomheknewtobesodangerousandsocriminal。Itwasindeedthegazeofthebirduponthebasilisk——sosilentwasitandsoprolonged。Butshakingoffthesuddenchillthathadcreptoverhim，OlinthusextendedhisrightarmtowardsArbaces，andsaid，inadeepandloudvoice：
’Murderhathbeendoneuponthiscorpse！Whereisthemurderer？Standforth，Egyptian！For，astheLordliveth，Ibelievethouarttheman！’
AnanxiousandperturbedchangemightforonemomentbedetectedontheduskyfeaturesofArbaces；butitgavewaytothefrowningexpressionofindignationandscorn，as，awedandarrestedbythesuddennessandvehemenceofthecharge，thespectatorspressednearerandneareruponthetwomoreprominentactors。
’Iknow，’saidArbaces，proudly，’whoismyaccuser，andIguesswhereforehethusarraignsme。Menandcitizens，knowthismanforthemostbitteroftheNazarenes，ifthatorChristiansbetheirpropername！WhatmarvelthatinhismalignityhedaresaccuseevenanEgyptianofthemurderofapriestofEgypt！’
’Iknowhim！Iknowthedog！’shoutedseveralvoices。’ItisOlinthustheChristian——orrathertheAtheist——hedeniesthegods！’
’Peace，brethren，’saidOlinthus，withdignity，’andhearme！ThismurderedpriestofIsisbeforehisdeathembracedtheChristianfaith——herevealedtomethedarksins，thesorceriesofyonEgyptian——themummeriesanddelusionsofthefaneofIsis。Hewasabouttodeclarethempublicly。He，astranger，unoffending，withoutenemies！whoshouldshedhisbloodbutoneofthosewhofearedhiswitness？Whomightfearthattestimonythemost？——Arbaces，theEgyptian！’
’Youhearhim！’saidArbaces；’youhearhim！heblasphemes！AskhimifhebelievesinIsis！’
’DoIbelieveinanevildemon？’returnedOlinthus，boldly。
Agroanandshudderpassedthroughtheassembly。Nothingdaunted，forpreparedateverytimeforperil，andinthepresentexcitementlosingallprudence，theChristiancontinued：
’Back，idolaters！thisclayisnotforyourvainandpollutingrites——itistous——tothefollowersofChrist，thatthelastofficesduetoaChristianbelong。IclaimthisdustinthenameofthegreatCreatorwhohasrecalledthespirit！’
WithsosolemnandcommandingavoiceandaspecttheChristianspokethesewords，thateventhecrowdforboretoutteraloudtheexecrationoffearandhatredwhichintheirheartstheyconceived。Andnever，perhaps，sinceLuciferandtheArchangelcontendedforthebodyofthemightyLawgiver，wasthereamorestrikingsubjectforthepainter’sgeniusthanthatsceneexhibited。Thedarktrees——thestatelyfane——themoonfullonthecorpseofthedeceased——thetorchestossingwildlytoandfrointherear——thevariousfacesofthemotleyaudience——theinsensibleformoftheAthenian，supported，inthedistance，andintheforeground，andaboveall，theformsofArbacesandtheChristian：thefirstdrawntoitsfullheight，fartallerthantheherdaround；hisarmsfolded，hisbrowknit，hiseyesfixed，hislipslightlycurledindefianceanddisdain。Thelastbearing，onabrowwornandfurrowed，themajestyofanequalcommand——thefeaturesstern，yetfrank——theaspectbold，yetopen——thequietdignityofthewholeformimpressedwithanineffableearnestness，hushed，asitwere，inasolemnsympathywiththeawehehimselfhadcreated。Hislefthandpointingtothecorpse——hisrighthandraisedtoheaven。
Thecenturionpressedforwardagain。
’Inthefirstplace，hastthou，Olinthus，orwhateverbethyname，anyproofofthechargethouhastmadeagainstArbaces，beyondthyvaguesuspicions？’
Olinthusremainedsilent——theEgyptianlaughedcontemptuously。
’DostthouclaimthebodyofapriestofIsisasoneoftheNazareneorChristiansect？’
’Ido。’
’Swearthenbyyonfane，yonstatueofCybele，byyonmostancientsacelluminPompeii，thatthedeadmanembracedyourfaith！’
’Vainman！Idisownyouridols！Iabhoryourtemples！HowcanIswearbyCybelethen？’
’Away，awaywiththeAtheist！away！theearthwillswallowus，ifwesuffertheseblasphemersinasacredgrove——awaywithhimtodeath！’
’Tothebeasts！’addedafemalevoiceinthecentreofthecrowd；’weshallhaveonea—piecenowforthelionandtiger！’
’If，ONazarene，thoudisbelievestinCybele，whichofourgodsdostthouown？’resumedthesoldier，unmovedbythecriesaround。
’None！’
’Harktohim！hark！’criedthecrowd。
’Ovainandblind！’continuedtheChristian，raisinghisvoice：’canyoubelieveinimagesofwoodandstone？Doyouimaginethattheyhaveeyestosee，orearstohear，orhandstohelpye？Isyonmutethingcarvedbyman’sartagoddess！——hathitmademankind？——alas！bymankindwasitmade。
Lo！convinceyourselfofitsnothingness——ofyourfolly。’
Andashespokehestrodeacrosstothefane，andereanyofthebystanderswereawareofhispurpose，he，inhiscompassionorhiszeal，struckthestatueofwoodfromitspedestal。
’See！’criedhe，’yourgoddesscannotavengeherself。Isthisathingtoworship？’
Furtherwordsweredeniedtohim：sogrossanddaringasacrilege——ofone，too，ofthemostsacredoftheirplacesofworship——filledeventhemostlukewarmwithrageandhorror。Withoneaccordthecrowdrusheduponhim，seized，andbutfortheinterferenceofthecenturion，theywouldhavetornhimtopieces。
’Peace！’saidthesoldier，authoritatively——’referwethisinsolentblasphemertothepropertribunal——timehasbeenalreadywasted。Bearweboththeculpritstothemagistrates；placethebodyofthepriestonthelitter——carryittohisownhome。’
AtthismomentapriestofIsissteppedforward。’Iclaimtheseremains，accordingtothecustomofthepriesthood。’
’Theflamenbeobeyed，’saidthecenturion。’Howisthemurderer？’
’Insensibleorasleep。’
’Werehiscrimesless，Icouldpityhim。On！’
Arbaces，asheturned，mettheeyeofthatpriestofIsis——itwasCalenus；
andsomethingtherewasinthatglance，sosignificantandsinister，thattheEgyptianmutteredtohimself：
’Couldhehavewitnessedthedeed？’
Agirldartedfromthecrowd，andgazedhardonthefaceofOlinthus。’ByJupiter，astoutknave！Isay，weshallhaveamanforthetigernow；oneforeachbeast！’
’Ho！’shoutedthemob；’amanforthelion，andanotherforthetiger！Whatluck！IoPaean！’
ChapterVII
INWHICHTHEREADERLEARNSTHECONDITIONOFGLAUCUS。FRIENDSHIPTESTED。
ENMITYSOFTENED。LOVETHESAME，BECAUSETHEONELOVINGISBLIND。
THEnightwassomewhatadvanced，andthegayloungingplacesofthePompeianswerestillcrowded。Youmightobserveinthecountenancesofthevariousidlersamoreearnestexpressionthanusual。Theytalkedinlargeknotsandgroups，asiftheysoughtbynumberstodividethehalf—painful，half—pleasurableanxietywhichbelongedtothesubjectonwhichtheyconversed：itwasasubjectoflifeanddeath。
AyoungmanpassedbrisklybythegracefulporticooftheTempleofFortune——sobriskly，indeed，thathecamewithnoslightforcefullagainsttherotundandcomelyformofthatrespectablecitizenDiomed，whowasretiringhomewardtohissuburbanvilla。
’Holloa！’groanedthemerchant，recoveringwithsomedifficultyhisequilibrium；’haveyounoeyes？ordoyouthinkIhavenofeeling？ByJupiter！youhavewellnighdrivenoutthedivineparticle；suchanothershock，andmysoulwillbeinHades！’
’Ah，Diomed！isityou？forgivemyinadvertence。Iwasabsorbedinthinkingofthereversesoflife。Ourpoorfriend，Glaucus，eh！whocouldhaveguessedit？’
’Well，buttellme，Clodius，ishereallytobetriedbythesenate？’
’Yes；theysaythecrimeisofsoextraordinaryanaturethatthesenateitselfmustadjudgeit；andsothelictorsaretoinducthimformally。’
’Hehasbeenaccusedpublicly，then？’
’Tobesure；wherehaveyoubeennottohearthat？’
’Why，IhaveonlyjustreturnedfromNeapolis，whitherIwentonbusinesstheverymorningafterhiscrime——soshocking，andatmyhousethesamenightthatithappened！’
’Thereisnodoubtofhisguilt，’saidClodius，shrugginghisshoulders；
’andasthesecrimestakeprecedenceofalllittleundignifiedpeccadilloes，theywillhastentofinishthesentenceprevioustothegames。’
’Thegames！Goodgods！’repliedDiomed，withaslightshudder：’cantheyadjudgehimtothebeasts？——soyoung，sorich！’
’True；butthenheisaGreek。HadhebeenaRoman，itwouldhavebeenathousandpities。Theseforeignerscanbebornewithintheirprosperity；
butinadversitywemustnotforgetthattheyareinrealityslaves。