Hisbloodcurdled——hishairstoodonend。Thatawfulsolitude，whatmysteriousandpreternaturalbeingcouldpenetrate！’Who’sthere？’hecried，innewalarm；’whatspectre——whatdreadlarva，callsuponthelostCalenus？’
’Priest，’repliedtheThessalian，’unknowntoArbaces，Ihavebeen，bythepermissionofthegods，awitnesstohisperfidy。IfImyselfcanescapefromthesewalls，Imaysavethee。Butletthyvoicereachmyearthroughthisnarrowpassage，andanswerwhatIask。’
’Ah，blessedspirit，’saidthepriest，exultingly，andobeyingthesuggestionofNydia，’saveme，andIwillselltheverycupsonthealtartopaythykindness。’
’Iwantnotthygold——Iwantthysecret。DidIheararight？CanstthousavetheAthenianGlaucusfromthechargeagainsthislife？’
’Ican——Ican！——therefore（maytheFuriesblastthefoulEgyptian！）hathArbacessnaredmethus，andleftmetostarveandrot！’
’TheyaccusetheAthenianofmurder：canstthoudisprovetheaccusation？’
’Onlyfreeme，andtheproudestheadofPompeiiisnotmoresafethanhis。
Isawthedeeddone——IsawArbacesstriketheblow；Icanconvictthetruemurdererandacquittheinnocentman。ButifIperish，hediesalso。Dostthouinterestthyselfforhim？Oh，blessedstranger，inmyheartistheurnwhichcondemnsorfreeshim！’
’Andthouwiltgivefullevidenceofwhatthouknowest？’
’Will！——Oh！werehellatmyfeet——yes！RevengeonthefalseEgyptian！——revenge！——revenge！revenge！’
AsthroughhisgroundteethCalenusshriekedforththoselastwords，NydiafeltthatinhisworstpassionswashercertaintyofhisjusticetotheAthenian。Herheartbeat：wasittobeherprouddestinytopreserveheridolized——heradored？Enough，’saidshe，’thepowersthatconductedmehitherwillcarrymethroughall。Yes，IfeelthatIshalldeliverthee。
Waitinpatienceandhope。’
’Butbecautious，beprudent，sweetstranger。AttemptnottoappealtoArbaces——heismarble。Seekthepraetor——saywhatthouknowest——obtainhiswritofsearch；bringsoldiers，andsmithsofcunning——theselocksarewondrousstrong！Timeflies——Imaystarve——starve！ifyouarenotquick！
Go——go！Yetstay——itishorribletobealone！——theairislikeacharnel——andthescorpions——ha！andthepalelarvae；oh！stay，stay！’
’Nay，’saidNydia，terrifiedbytheterrorofthepriest，andanxioustoconferwithherself——’nay，forthysake，Imustdepart。Takehopeforthycompanion——farewell！’
Sosaying，sheglidedaway，andfeltwithextendedarmsalongthepillaredspaceuntilshehadgainedthefartherendofthehallandthemouthofthepassagethatledtotheupperair。Butthereshepaused；shefeltthatitwouldbemoresafetowaitawhile，untilthenightwassofarblendedwiththemorningthatthewholehousewouldbeburiedinsleep，andsothatshemightquititunobserved。she，therefore，oncemorelaidherselfdown，andcountedthewearymoments。Inhersanguineheart，joywasthepredominantemotion。Glaucuswasindeadlyperil——butsheshouldsavehim！
ChapterXV
ARBACESANDIONE。NYDIAGAINSTHEGARDEN。WILLSHEESCAPEANDSAVETHE
ATHENIAN？
WHENArbaceshadwarmedhisveinsbylargedraughtsofthatspicedandperfumedwinesovaluedbytheluxurious，hefeltmorethanusuallyelatedandexultantofheart。Thereisaprideintriumphantingenuity，notlessfelt，perhaps，thoughitsobjectbeguilty。Ourvainhumannaturehugsitselfintheconsciousnessofsuperiorcraftandself—obtainedsuccess——afterwardscomesthehorriblereactionofremorse。
ButremorsewasnotafeelingwhichArbaceswaslikelyevertoexperienceforthefateofthebaseCalenus。Hesweptfromhisremembrancethethoughtofthepriest’sagoniesandlingeringdeath：hefeltonlythatagreatdangerwaspassed，andapossiblefoesilenced；alllefttohimnowwouldbetoaccounttothepriesthoodforthedisappearanceofCalenus；andthisheimagineditwouldnotbedifficulttodo。Calenushadoftenbeenemployedbyhiminvariousreligiousmissionstotheneighboringcities。Onsomesucherrandhecouldnowassertthathehadbeensent，withofferingstotheshrinesofIsisatHerculaneumandNeapolis，placatoryofthegoddessfortherecentmurderofherpriestApaecides。WhenCalenushadexpired，hisbodymightbethrown，previoustotheEgyptian’sdeparturefromPompeii，intothedeepstreamoftheSarnus；andwhendiscovered，suspicionwouldprobablyfallupontheNazareneatheists，asanactofrevengeforthedeathofOlinthusatthearena。Afterrapidlyrunningovertheseplansforscreeninghimself，Arbacesdismissedatoncefromhismindallrecollectionofthewretchedpriest；and，animatedbythesuccesswhichhadlatelycrownedallhisschemes，hesurrenderedhisthoughtstoIone。Thelasttimehehadseenher，shehaddrivenhimfromherpresencebyareproachfulandbitterscorn，whichhisarrogantnaturewasunabletoendure。Henowfeltemboldenedoncemoretorenewthatinterview；forhispassionforherwaslikesimilarfeelingsinothermen——itmadehimrestlessforherpresence，eventhoughinthatpresencehewasexasperatedandhumbled。Fromdelicacytohergriefhelaidnotasidehisdarkandunfestiverobes，but，renewingtheperfumesonhisravenlocks，andarranginghistunicinitsmostbecomingfolds，hesoughtthechamberoftheNeapolitan。Accostingtheslaveinattendancewithout，heinquiredifIonehadyetretiredtorest；
andlearningthatshewasstillup，andunusuallyquietandcomposed，heventuredintoherpresence。Hefoundhisbeautifulwardsittingbeforeasmalltable，andleaningherfaceuponbothherhandsintheattitudeofthought。YettheexpressionofthefaceitselfpossessednotitswontedbrightandPsyche—likeexpressionofsweetintelligence；thelipswereapart——theeyevacantandunheeding——andthelongdarkhair，fallingneglectedanddisheveleduponherneck，gavebythecontrastadditionalpalenesstoacheekwhichhadalreadylosttheroundnessofitscontour。
Arbacesgazeduponheramomentereheadvanced。She，too，lifteduphereyes；andwhenshesawwhowastheintruder，shutthemwithanexpressionofpain，butdidnotstir。
’Ah！’saidArbacesinalowandearnesttoneasherespectfully，nay，humbly，advancedandseatedhimselfatalittledistancefromthetable——’Ah！thatmydeathcouldremovethyhatred，thenwouldIgladlydie！
Thouwrongestme，Ione；butIwillbearthewrongwithoutamurmur，onlyletmeseetheesometimes。Chide，reproach，scornme，ifthouwilt——Iwillteachmyselftobearit。Andisnoteventhybitteresttonesweetertomethanthemusicofthemostartfullute？Inthysilencetheworldseemstostandstill——astagnationcurdlesuptheveinsoftheearth——thereisnoearth，nolife，withoutthelightofthycountenanceandthemelodyofthyvoice。’
’Givemebackmybrotherandmybetrothed，’saidIone，inacalmandimploringtone，andafewlargetearsrolledunheededdownhercheeks。
’WouldthatIcouldrestoretheoneandsavetheother！’returnedArbaces，withapparentemotion。’Yes；tomaketheehappyIwouldrenouncemyill—fatedlove，andgladlyjointhyhandtotheAthenian’s。Perhapshewillyetcomeunscathedfromhistrial（Arbaceshadpreventedherlearningthatthetrialhadalreadycommenced）；ifso，thouartfreetojudgeorcondemnhimthyself。Andthinknot，OIone，thatIwouldfollowtheelongerwithaprayeroflove。Iknowitisinvain。Suffermeonlytoweep——tomournwiththee。Forgiveaviolencedeeplyrepented，andthatshalloffendnomore。LetmebetotheeonlywhatIoncewas——afriend，afather，aProtector。Ah，Ione！sparemeandforgive。’
’Iforgivethee。SavebutGlaucus，andIwillrenouncehim。OmightyArbaces！thouartpowerfulineviloringood：savetheAthenian，andthepoorIonewillneverseehimmore。’Asshespoke，sherosewithweakandtremblinglimbs，andfallingathisfeet，sheclaspedhisknees：’Oh！ifthoureallylovestme——ifthouarthuman——remembermyfather’sashes，remembermychildhood，thinkofallthehourswepassedhappilytogether，andsavemyGlaucus！’
StrangeconvulsionsshooktheframeoftheEgyptian；hisfeaturesworkedfearfully——heturnedhisfaceaside，andsaid，inahollowvoice，’IfI
couldsavehim，evennow，Iwould；buttheRomanlawissternandsharp。
YetifIcouldsucceed——ifIcouldrescueandsethimfree——wouldstthoubemine——mybride？’
’Thine？’repeatedIone，rising：’thine！——thybride？Mybrother’sbloodisunavenged：whoslewhim？ONemesis，canIevensell，forthelifeofGlaucus，thysolemntrust？Arbaces——thine？Never。’
’Ione，Ione！’criedArbaces，passionately；’whythesemysteriouswords？——whydostthoucouplemynamewiththethoughtofthybrother’sdeath？’
’Mydreamscoupleit——anddreamsarefromthegods。’
’Vainfantasiesall！Isitforadreamthatthouwouldstwrongtheinnocent，andhazardthysolechanceofsavingthylover’slife？’
’Hearme！’saidIone，speakingfirmly，andwithadeliberateandsolemnvoice：’IfGlaucusbesavedbythee，Iwillneverbebornetohishomeabride。ButIcannotmasterthehorrorofotherrites：Icannotwedwiththee。Interruptmenot；butmarkme，Arbaces！——ifGlaucusdie，onthatsamedayIbafflethinearts，andleavetothyloveonlymydust！Yes——thoumaystputtheknifeandthepoisonfrommyreach——thoumaystimprison——thoumaystchainme，butthebravesoulresolvedtoescapeisneverwithoutmeans。Thesehands，nakedandunarmedthoughtheybe，shalltearawaythebondsoflife。Fetterthem，andtheselipsshallfirmlyrefusetheair。
Thouartlearned——thouhastreadhowwomenhavediedratherthanmeetdishonour。IfGlaucusperish，Iwillnotunworthilylingerbehindhim。Byallthegodsoftheheaven，andtheocean，andtheearth，Idevotemyselftodeath！Ihavesaid！’
High，proud，dilatinginherstature，likeoneinspired，theairandvoiceofIonestruckanaweintothebreastofherlistener。
’Braveheart！’saidhe，afterashortpause；’thouartindeedworthytobemine。Oh！thatIshouldhavedreamtofsuchapartnerinmyloftydestinies，andneverfounditbutinthee！Ione，’hecontinuedrapidly，’dostthounotseethatwearebornforeachother？Canstthounotrecognizesomethingkindredtothineownenergy——thineowncourage——inthishighandself—dependentsoul？Wewereformedtouniteoursympathies——formedtobreatheanewspiritintothishackneyedandgrossworld——formedforthemightyendswhichmysoul，sweepingdownthegloomoftime，foreseeswithaprophet’svision。Witharesolutionequaltothineown，Idefythythreatsofaninglorioussuicide。Ihailtheeasmyown！Queenofclimesundarkenedbytheeagle’swing，unravagedbyhisbeak，Ibowbeforetheeinhomageandinawe——butIclaimtheeinworshipandinlove！Togetherwillwecrosstheocean——togetherwillwefoundourrealm；andfardistantagesshallacknowledgethelongraceofkingsbornfromthemarriage—bedofArbacesandIone！’
’Thouravest！Thesemysticdeclamationsaresuitedrathertosomepalsiedcronesellingcharmsinthemarket—placethantothewiseArbaces。Thouhastheardmyresolution——itisfixedastheFatesthemselves。Orcushasheardmyvow，anditiswritteninthebookoftheunforgetfulHades。
Atone，then，OArbaces！——atonethepast：converthatredintoregard——vengeanceintogratitude；preserveonewhoshallneverbethyrival。
Theseareactssuitedtothyoriginalnature，whichgivesforthsparksofsomethinghighandnoble。TheyweighinthescalesoftheKingsofDeath：
theyturnthebalanceonthatdaywhenthedisembodiedsoulstandsshiveringanddismayedbetweenTartarusandElysium；theygladdentheheartinlife，betterandlongerthantherewardofamomentarypassion。Oh，Arbaces！hearme，andbeswayed！’
’Enough，Ione。AllthatIcandoforGlaucusshallbedone；butblamemenotifIfail。Inquireofmyfoes，even，ifIhavenotsought，ifIdonotseek，toturnasidethesentencefromhishead；andjudgemeaccordingly。
Sleepthen，Ione。Nightwanes；Ileavetheetorest——andmaystthouhavekinderdreamsofonewhohasnoexistencebutinthine。’
Withoutwaitingareply，Arbaceshastilywithdrew；afraid，perhaps，totrusthimselffurthertothepassionateprayerofIone，whichrackedhimwithjealousy，evenwhileittouchedhimtocompassion。Butcompassionitselfcametoolate。HadIoneevenpledgedhimherhandashisreward，hecouldnotnow——hisevidencegiven——thepopulaceexcited——havesavedtheAthenian。
Stillmadesanguinebyhisveryenergyofmind，hethrewhimselfonthechancesofthefuture，andbelievedheshouldyettriumphoverthewomanthathadsoentangledhispassions。
Ashisattendantsassistedtounrobehimforthenight，thethoughtofNydiaflashedacrosshim。HefeltitwasnecessarythatIoneshouldneverlearnofherlover’sfrenzy，lestitmightexcusehisimputedcrime；anditwaspossiblethatherattendantsmightinformherthatNydiawasunderhisroof，andshemightdesiretoseeher。Asthisideacrossedhim，heturnedtooneofhisfreedmen：
’Go，Callias，’saidhe，’forthwithtoSosia，andtellhim，thatonnopretenceishetosuffertheblindslaveNydiaoutofherchamber。But，stay——firstseekthoseinattendanceuponmyward，andcautionthemnottoinformherthattheblindgirlisundermyroofGo——quick！’
Thefreedmanhastenedtoobey。AfterhavingdischargedhiscommissionwithrespecttoIone’sattendants，hesoughttheworthySosia。Hefoundhimnotinthelittlecellwhichwasapportionedforhiscubiculum；hecalledhisnamealoud，andfromNydia’schamber，closeathand，heheardthevoiceofSosiareply：
’Oh，Callias，isityouthatIhear？——thegodsbepraised！’Openthedoor，I
prayyou！’
Calliaswithdrewthebolt，andtheruefulfaceofSosiahastilyprotrudeditself。
’What！——inthechamberwiththatyounggirl，Sosia！Prohpudor！Aretherenotfruitsripeenoughonthewall，butthatthoumusttamperwithsuchgreen……’
’Namenotthelittlewitch！’interruptedSosia，impatiently；’shewillbemyruin！’AndheforthwithimpartedtoCalliasthehistoryoftheAirDemon，andtheescapeoftheThessalian。
’Hangthyself，then，unhappySosia！IamjustchargedfromArbaceswithamessagetothee；onnoaccountartthoutosufferher，evenforamoment，fromthatchamber！’
’Memiserum！’exclaimedtheslave。’WhatcanIdo！——bythistimeshemayhavevisitedhalfPompeii。ButtomorrowIwillundertaketocatchherinheroldhaunts。Keepbutmycounsel，mydearCallias。’
’Iwilldoallthatfriendshipcan，consistentwithmyownsafety。Butareyousureshehasleftthehouse？——shemaybehidinghereyet。’
’Howisthatpossible？Shecouldeasilyhavegainedthegarden；andthedoor，asItoldthee，wasopen。’
’Nay，notso；for，atthatveryhourthouspecifiest，ArbaceswasinthegardenwiththepriestCalenus。Iwentthereinsearchofsomeherbsformymaster’sbathto—morrow。Isawthetablesetout；butthegateIamsurewasshut：dependuponit，thatCalenusenteredbythegarden，andnaturallyclosedthedoorafterhim。’
’Butitwasnotlocked。’
’Yes；forImyself，angryatanegligencewhichmightexposethebronzesintheperistyletothemercyofanyrobber，turnedthekey，tookitaway，and——asIdidnotseetheproperslavetowhomtogiveit，orIshouldhaveratedhimfinely——hereitactuallyis，stillinmygirdle。’
’Oh，mercifulBacchus！Ididnotpraytotheeinvain，afterall。Letusnotloseamoment！Letustothegardeninstantly——shemayyetbethere！’
Thegood—naturedCalliasconsentedtoassisttheslave；andaftervainlysearchingthechambersathand，andtherecessesoftheperistyle，theyenteredthegarden。
ItwasaboutthistimethatNydiahadresolvedtoquitherhiding—place，andventureforthonherway。Lightly，tremulouslyholdingherbreath，whicheverandanonbrokeforthinquickconvulsivegasps——nowglidingbytheflower——wreathedcolumnsthatborderedtheperistyle——nowdarkeningthestillmoonshinethatfelloveritstessellatedcentre——nowascendingtheterraceofthegarden——nowglidingamidstthegloomyandbreathlesstrees，shegainedthefataldoor——tofinditlocked！Wehaveallseenthatexpressionofpain，ofuncertainty，offear，whichasuddendisappointmentoftouch，ifImayusetheexpression，castsoverthefaceoftheblind。
Butwhatwordscanpainttheintolerablewoe，thesinkingofthewholeheart，whichwasnowvisibleonthefeaturesoftheThessalian？Againandagainhersmall，quiveringhandswanderedtoandfrotheinexorabledoor。
Poorthingthatthouwert！invainhadbeenallthynoblecourage，thyinnocentcraft，thydoublingstoescapethehoundandhuntsmen！Withinbutafewyardsfromthee，laughingatthyendeavors——thydespair——knowingthouwertnowtheirown，andwatchingwithcruelpatiencetheirownmomenttoseizetheirprey——thouartsavedfromseeingthypursuers！
’Hush，Callias！——lethergoon。Letusseewhatshewilldowhenshehasconvincedherselfthatthedoorishonest。’
’Look！sheraisesherfacetotheheavens——shemutters——shesinksdowndespondent！No！byPollux，shehassomenewscheme！Shewillnotresignherself！ByJupiter，atoughspirit！See，shespringsup——sheretraceshersteps——shethinksofsomeotherchance！——Iadvisethee，Sosia，todelaynolonger：seizeherereshequitthegarden——now！’
’Ah！runaway！Ihavethee——eh？’saidSosia，seizingupontheunhappyNydia。
Asahare’slasthumancryinthefangsofthedogs——asthesharpvoiceofterrorutteredbyasleep—walkersuddenlyawakened——broketheshriekoftheblindgirl，whenshefelttheabruptgripeofhergaoler。Itwasashriekofsuchutteragony，suchentiredespair，thatitmighthaverunghauntinglyinyourearsforever。ShefeltasifthelastplankofthesinkingGlaucusweretornfromhisclasp！Ithadbeenasuspenseoflifeanddeath；anddeathhadnowwonthegame。
’Gods！thatcrywillalarmthehouse！Arbacessleepsfulllightly。Gagher！’criedCallias。
’Ah！hereistheverynapkinwithwhichtheyoungwitchconjuredawaymyreason！Come，that’sright；nowthouartdumbaswellasblind。’
And，catchingthelightweightinhisarms，Sosiasoongainedthehouse，andreachedthechamberfromwhichNydiahadescaped。There，removingthegag，helefthertoasolitudesorackedandterrible，thatoutofHadesitsanguishcouldscarcelybeexceeded。
ChapterXVI
THESORROWOFBOONCOMPANIONSFOROURAFFLICTIONS。THEDUNGEONANDITS
VICTIMS。
ITwasnowlateonthethirdandlastdayofthetrialofGlaucusandOlinthus。Afewhoursafterthecourthadbrokenupandjudgmentbeengiven，asmallpartyofthefashionableyouthatPompeiiwereassembledroundthefastidiousboardofLepidus。
’SoGlaucusdenieshiscrimetothelast？’saidClodius。
’Yes；butthetestimonyofArbaceswasconvincing；hesawtheblowgiven，’
answeredLepidus。
’Whatcouldhavebeenthecause？’
’Why，thepriestwasagloomyandsullenfellow。HeprobablyratedGlaucussoundlyabouthisgaylifeandgaminghabits，andultimatelysworehewouldnotconsenttohismarriagewithIone。Highwordsarose；Glaucusseemstohavebeenfullofthepassionategod，andstruckinsuddenexasperation。
Theexcitementofwine，thedesperationofabruptremorse，broughtonthedeliriumunderwhichhesufferedforsomedays；andIcanreadilyimagine，poorfellow！that，yetconfusedbythatdelirium，heisevennowunconsciousofthecrimehecommitted！Such，atleast，istheshrewdconjectureofArbaces，whoseemstohavebeenmostkindandforbearinginhistestimony。’
’Yes；hehasmadehimselfgenerallypopularbyit。But，inconsiderationoftheseextenuatingcircumstances，thesenateshouldhaverelaxedthesentence。’
’Andtheywouldhavedoneso，butforthepeople；buttheywereoutrageous。
Thepriesthadsparednopainstoexcitethem；andtheyimagined——theferociousbrutes！——becauseGlaucuswasarichmanandagentleman，thathewaslikelytoescape；andthereforetheywereinveterateagainsthim，anddoublyresolveduponhissentence。Itseems，bysomeaccidentorother，thathewasneverformallyenrolledasaRomancitizen；andthusthesenateisdeprivedofthepowertoresistthepeople，though，afterall，therewasbutamajorityofthreeagainsthim。Ho！theChian！’
’Helookssadlyaltered；buthowcomposedandfearless！’
’Ay，weshallseeifhisfirmnesswilllastoverto—morrow。’Butwhatmeritincourage，whenthatatheisticalhound，Olinthus，manifestedthesame？’
’Theblasphemer！Yes，’saidLepidus，withpiouswrath，’nowonderthatoneofthedecurionswas，buttwodaysago，struckdeadbylightninginaserenesky。’ThegodsfeelvengeanceagainstPompeiiwhiletheviledesecratorisalivewithinitswalls。’
’Yetsolenientwasthesenate，thathadhebutexpressedhispenitence，andscatteredafewgrainsofincenseonthealtarofCybele，hewouldhavebeenletoff。IdoubtwhethertheseNazarenes，hadtheythestatereligion，wouldbeastoleranttous，supposingwehadkickeddowntheimageoftheirDeity，blasphemedtheirrites，anddeniedtheirfaith。’
’TheygiveGlaucusonechance，inconsiderationofthecircumstances；theyallowhim，againstthelion，theuseofthesamestiluswherewithhesmotethepriest。’
’Hastthouseenthelion？hastthoulookedathisteethandfangs，andwiltthoucallthatachance？Why，swordandbucklerwouldbemerereedandpapyrusagainsttherushofthemightybeast！No，Ithinkthetruemercyhasbeen，nottoleavehimlonginsuspense；anditwasthereforefortunateforhimthatourbenignlawsareslowtopronounce，butswifttoexecute；
andthatthegamesoftheamphitheatrehadbeen，byasortofprovidence，solongsincefixedforto—morrow。Hewhoawaitsdeath，diestwice。’
’AsfortheAtheist，saidClodius，’heistocopethegrimtigernaked—handed。Well，thesecombatsarepastbettingon。Whowilltaketheodds？’Apealoflaughterannouncedtheridiculeofthequestion。
’PoorClodius！’saidthehost；Itoloseafriendissomething；buttofindnoonetobetonthechanceofhisescapeisaworsemisfortunetothee。’
’Why，itisprovoking；itwouldhavebeensomeconsolationtohimandtometothinkhewasusefultothelast。’