第8章

andthepoorgirlfelttheeffectsofittoo。Butitwasnotherfaultthatshewasblind，forshehadbeensofromherbirth。Bydegrees，wegotreconciledtoourpurchase。True，shehadnotthestrengthofStaphyla，andwasofverylittleuseinthehouse，butshecouldsoonfindherwayaboutthetown，aswellasifshehadtheeyesofArgus；andwhenonemorningshebroughtushomeahandfulofsesterces，whichshesaidshehadgotfromsellingsomeflowersshehadgatheredinourpoorlittlegarden，wethoughtthegodshadsenthertous。Sofromthattimewelethergooutasshelikes，fillingherbasketwithflowers，whichshewreathesintogarlandsaftertheThessalianfashion，whichpleasesthegallants；andthegreatpeopleseemtotakeafancytoher，fortheyalwayspayhermorethantheydoanyotherflower—girl，andshebringsallofithometous，whichismorethananyotherslavewoulddo。SoIworkformyself，butIshallsoonaffordfromherearningstobuymeasecondStaphyla；doubtless，theThessaliankidnapperhadstolentheblindgirlfromgentleparents。Besidesherskillinthegarlands，shesingsandplaysonthecithara，whichalsobringsmoney，andlately——butthatisasecret。’

’Thatisasecret！What！’criedLydon，’artthouturnedsphinx？’

’Sphinx，no！——whysphinx？’

’Ceasethygabble，goodmistress，andbringusourmeat——Iamhungry，’saidSporus，impatiently。

’AndI，too，’echoedthegrimNiger，whettinghisknifeonthepalmofhishand。

Theamazonstalkedawaytothekitchen，andsoonreturnedwithatrayladenwithlargepiecesofmeathalf—raw：forso，asnow，didtheheroesoftheprize—fightimaginetheybestsustainedtheirhardihoodandferocity：theydrewroundthetablewiththeeyesoffamishedwolves——themeatvanished，thewineflowed。SoleavewethoseimportantpersonagesofclassiclifetofollowthestepsofBurbo。

ChapterII

TWOWORTHIES。

INtheearliertimesofRomethepriesthoodwasaprofession，notoflucrebutofhonour。Itwasembracedbythenoblestcitizens——itwasforbiddentotheplebeians。Afterwards，andlongprevioustothepresentdate，itwasequallyopentoallranks；atleast，thatpartoftheprofessionwhichembracedtheflamens，orpriests——notofreligiongenerallybutofpeculiargods。EventhepriestofJupiter（theFlamenDialis）precededbyalictor，andentitledbyhisofficetotheentranceofthesenate，atfirsttheespecialdignitaryofthepatricians，wassubsequentlythechoiceofthepeople。Thelessnationalandlesshonoreddeitieswereusuallyservedbyplebeianministers；andmanyembracedtheprofession，asnowtheRomanCatholicChristiansenterthemonasticfraternity，lessfromtheimpulseofdevotionthanthesuggestionsofacalculatingpoverty。ThusCalenus，thepriestofIsis，wasofthelowestorigin。Hisrelations，thoughnothisparents，werefreedmen。Hehadreceivedfromthemaliberaleducation，andfromhisfatherasmallpatrimony，whichhehadsoonexhausted。Heembracedthepriesthoodasalastresourcefromdistress。Whateverthestateemolumentsofthesacredprofession，whichatthattimewereprobablysmall，theofficersofapopulartemplecouldnevercomplainoftheprofitsoftheircalling。Thereisnoprofessionsolucrativeasthatwhichpractisesonthesuperstitionofthemultitude。

CalenushadbutonesurvivingrelativeatPompeii，andthatwasBurbo。

Variousdarkanddisreputableties，strongerthanthoseofblood，unitedtogethertheirheartsandinterests；andoftentheministerofIsisstoledisguisedandfurtivelyfromthesupposedausterityofhisdevotions；andglidingthroughthebackdooroftheretiredgladiator，amaninfamousalikebyvicesandbyprofession，rejoicedtothrowoffthelastragofanhypocrisywhich，butforthedictatesofavarice，hisrulingpassion，wouldatalltimehavesatclumsilyuponanaturetoobrutalforeventhemimicryofvirtue。

WrappedinoneofthoselargemantleswhichcameinuseamongtheRomansinproportionastheydismissedthetoga，whoseamplefoldswellconcealedtheform，andinwhichasortofhood（attachedtoit）affordednolessasecuritytothefeatures，Calenusnowsatinthesmallandprivatechamberofthewine—cellar，whenceasmallpassageranatoncetothatbackentrance，withwhichnearlyallthehousesofPompeiiwerefurnished。

OppositetohimsatthesturdyBurbo，carefullycountingonatablebetweenthemalittlepileofcoinswhichthepriesthadjustpouredfromhispurse——forpurseswereascommonthenasnow，withthisdifference——theywereusuallybetterfurnished！

’Yousee，’saidCalenus，thatwepayyouhandsomely，andyououghttothankmeforrecommendingyoutosoadvantageousamarket。’

’Ido，mycousin，Ido，’repliedBurbo，affectionately，ashesweptthecoinsintoaleathernreceptacle，whichhethendepositedinhisgirdle，drawingthebuckleroundhiscapaciouswaistmorecloselythanhewaswonttodointhelaxhoursofhisdomesticavocations。’AndbyIsis，Pisis，andNisis，orwhateverothergodstheremaybeinEgypt，mylittleNydiaisaveryHesperides——agardenofgoldtome。’

’Shesingswell，andplayslikeamuse，’returnedCalenus；’thosearevirtuesthathewhoemploysmealwayspaysliberally。’

’Heisagod，’criedBurbo，enthusiastically；’everyrichmanwhoisgenerousdeservestobeworshipped。Butcome，acupofwine，oldfriend：

tellmemoreaboutit。Whatdoesshedo？sheisfrightened，talksofheroath，andrevealsnothing。’

’NorwillI，bymyrighthand！I，too，havetakenthatterribleoathofsecrecy。’

’Oath！whatareoathstomenlikeus？’

’Trueoathsofacommonfashion；butthis！’——andthestalwartpriestshudderedashespoke。’Yet，’hecontinued，inemptyingahugecupofunmixedwine，’Iowntothee，thatitisnotsomuchtheoaththatIdreadasthevengeanceofhimwhoproposedit。Bythegods！heisamightysorcerer，andcoulddrawmyconfessionfromthemoon，didIdaretomakeittoher。Talknomoreofthis。ByPollux！wildasthosebanquetsarewhichIenjoywithhim，Iamneverquiteatmyeasethere。Ilove，myboy，onejollyhourwiththee，andoneoftheplain，unsophisticated，laughinggirlsthatImeetinthischamber，allsmoke—driedthoughitbe，betterthanwholenightsofthosemagnificentdebauches。’

’Ho！sayestthouso！To—morrownight，pleasethegods，wewillhavethenasnugcarousal。’

’Withallmyheart，’saidthepriest，rubbinghishands，anddrawinghimselfnearertothetable。

Atthismomenttheyheardaslightnoiseatthedoor，asofonefeelingthehandle。Thepriestloweredthehoodoverhishead。

’Tush！’whisperedthehost，’itisbuttheblindgirl，’asNydiaopenedthedoor，andenteredtheapartment。

’Ho！girl，andhowdurstthou？thoulookestpale——thouhastkeptlaterevels？Nomatter，theyoungmustbealwaystheyoung，’saidBurbo，encouragingly。

Thegirlmadenoanswer，butshedroppedononeoftheseatswithanairoflassitude。Hercolorwentandcamerapidly：shebeatthefloorimpatientlywithhersmallfeet，thenshesuddenlyraisedherface，andsaidwithadeterminedvoice：

’Master，youmaystarvemeifyouwill——youmaybeatme——youmaythreatenmewithdeath——butIwillgonomoretothatunholyplace！’

’How，fool！’saidBurbo，inasavagevoice，andhisheavybrowsmetdarklyoverhisfierceandbloodshoteyes；’how，rebellious！Takecare。’

’Ihavesaidit，’saidthepoorgirl，crossingherhandsonherbreast。

’What！mymodestone，sweetvestal，thouwiltgonomore！Verywell，thoushaltbecarried。’

’Iwillraisethecitywithmycries，’saidshe，passionately；andthecolormountedtoherbrow。

’Wewilltakecareofthattoo；thoushaltgogagged。’

’Thenmaythegodshelpme！’saidNydia，rising；’Iwillappealtothemagistrates。’

’Thineoathremember！’saidahollowvoice，asforthefirsttimeCalenusjoinedinthedialogue。

Atthesewordsatremblingshooktheframeoftheunfortunategirl；sheclaspedherhandsimploringly。’WretchthatIam！’shecried，andburstviolentlyintosobs。

WhetherornotitwasthesoundofthatvehementsorrowwhichbroughtthegentleStratonicetothespot，hergrislyformatthismomentappearedinthechamber。

’Hownow？whathastthoubeendoingwithmyslave，brute？’saidshe，angrily，toBurbo。

’Bequiet，wife，’saidhe，inatonehalf—sullen，half—timid；’youwantnewgirdlesandfineclothes，doyou？Wellthen，takecareofyourslave，oryoumaywantthemlong。Voecapitituo——vengeanceonthyhead，wretchedone！’

’Whatisthis？’saidthehag，lookingfromonetotheother。

Nydiastartedasbyasuddenimpulsefromthewallagainstwhichshehadleaned：shethrewherselfatthefeetofStratonice；sheembracedherknees，andlookingupatherwiththosesightlessbuttouchingeyes：

’Omymistress！’sobbedshe，’youareawoman——youhavehadsisters——youhavebeenyounglikeme，feelforme——saveme！Iwillgotothosehorriblefeastsnomore！’

’Stuff！’saidthehag，draggingheruprudelybyoneofthosedelicatehands，fitfornoharsherlaborthanthatofweavingtheflowerswhichmadeherpleasureorhertrade；’stuff！thesefinescruplesarenotforslaves。’

’Harkye，’saidBurbo，drawingforthhispurse，andchinkingitscontents：

’youhearthismusic，wife；byPollux！ifyoudonotbreakinyoncoltwithatightrein，youwillhearitnomore。’

’Thegirlistired，’saidStratonice，noddingtoCalenus；’shewillbemoredocilewhenyounextwanther。’

’You！you！whoishere？’criedNydia，castinghereyesroundtheapartmentwithsofearfulandstrainingasurvey，thatCalenusroseinalarmfromhisseat。

’Shemustseewiththoseeyes！’mutteredhe。

’Whoishere！Speak，inheaven’sname！Ah，ifyouwereblindlikeme，youwouldbelesscruel，’saidshe；andsheagainburstintotears。

’Takeheraway，’saidBurbo，impatiently；’Ihatethesewhimperings。’

’Come！’saidStratonice，pushingthepoorchildbytheshoulders。Nydiadrewherselfaside，withanairtowhichresolutiongavedignity。

’Hearme，’shesaid；’Ihaveservedyoufaithfully——Iwhowasbroughtup——Ah！mymother，mypoormother！didstthoudreamIshouldcometothis？’

Shedashedthetearfromhereyes，andproceeded：’Commandmeinaughtelse，andIwillobey；butItellyounow，hard，stern，inexorableasyouare——I

tellyouthatIwillgotherenomore；or，ifIamforcedthere，thatIwillimplorethemercyofthepraetorhimself——Ihavesaidit。Hearme，yegods，Iswear！’

Thehag’seyesglowedwithfire；sheseizedthechildbythehairwithonehand，andraisedonhightheother——thatformidablerighthand，theleastblowofwhichseemedcapabletocrushthefrailanddelicateformthattrembledinhergrasp。Thatthoughtitselfappearedtostrikeher，forshesuspendedtheblow，changedherpurpose，anddraggingNydiatothewall，seizedfromahookarope，often，alas！appliedtoasimilarpurpose，andthenextmomenttheshrill，theagonizedshrieksoftheblindgirl，rangpiercinglythroughthehouse。

ChapterIII

GLAUCUSMAKESAPURCHASETHATAFTERWARDSCOSTSHIMDEAR。

’HOLLA，mybravefellows！’saidLepidus，stoopinghisheadasheenteredthelowdoorwayofthehouseofBurbo。’Wehavecometoseewhichofyoumosthonorsyourlanista。’ThegladiatorsrosefromthetableinrespecttothreegallantsknowntobeamongthegayestandrichestyouthsofPompeii，andwhosevoiceswerethereforethedispensersofamphitheatricalreputation。

’Whatfineanimals！’saidClodiustoGlaucus：’worthytobegladiators！’

’Itisapitytheyarenotwarriors，’returnedGlaucus。

AsingularthingitwastoseethedaintyandfastidiousLepidus，whominabanquetarayofdaylightseemedtoblind——whominthebathabreezeofairseemedtoblast——inwhomNatureseemedtwistedandpervertedfromeverynaturalimpulse，andcurdledintoonedubiousthingofeffeminacyandart——asingularthingwasittoseethisLepidus，nowalleagerness，andenergy，andlife，pattingthevastshouldersofthegladiatorswithablanchedandgirlishhand，feelingwithamincinggripetheirgreatbrawnandironmuscles，alllostincalculatingadmirationatthatmanhoodwhichhehadspenthislifeincarefullybanishingfromhimself。

SohaveweseenatthisdaythebeardlessflutterersofthesaloonsofLondonthrongingroundtheheroesoftheFives—court——sohaveweseenthemadmire，andgaze，andcalculateabet——sohaveweseenthemmeettogether，inludicrousyetinmelancholyassemblage，thetwoextremesofcivilizedsociety——thepatronsofpleasureanditsslaves——vilestofallslaves——atonceferociousandmercenary；maleprostitutes，whoselltheirstrengthaswomentheirbeauty；beastsinact，butbaserthanbeastsinmotive，forthelast，atleast，donotmanglethemselvesformoney！

’Ha！Niger，howwillyoufight？’saidLepidus：’andwithwhom？’

’Sporuschallengesme，’saidthegrimgiant；’weshallfighttothedeath，I

hope。’

’Ah！tobesure，’gruntedSporus，withatwinkleofhissmalleye。

’Hetakesthesword，Ithenetandthetrident：itwillberaresport。I

hopethesurvivorwillhaveenoughtokeepupthedignityofthecrown。’

’Neverfear，we’llfillthepurse，myHector，’saidClodius：

’letmesee——youfightagainstNiger？Glaucus，abet——IbackNiger。’

’Itoldyouso，’criedNigerexultingly。’ThenobleClodiusknowsme；countyourselfdeadalready，mySporus。’

Clodiustookouthistablet。’Abet——tensestertia。Whatsayyou？’

’Sobeit，’saidGlaucus。’Butwhomhavewehere？Ineversawthisherobefore’；andheglancedatLydon，whoselimbswereslighterthanthoseofhiscompanions，andwhohadsomethingofgrace，andsomethingevenofnobleness，inhisface，whichhisprofessionhadnotyetwhollydestroyed。

’ItisLydon，ayoungster，practisedonlywiththewoodenswordasyet，’

answeredNiger，condescendingly。’Buthehasthetruebloodinhim，andhaschallengedTetraides。’

’Hechallengedme，’saidLydon：’Iaccepttheoffer。’

’Andhowdoyoufight？’askedLepidus。’Chut，myboy，waitawhilebeforeyoucontendwithTetraides。’Lydonsmileddisdainfully。

’Isheacitizenoraslave？’saidClodius。

’Acitizen——weareallcitizenshere，’quothNiger。

’Stretchoutyourarm，myLydon，’saidLepidus，withtheairofaconnoisseur。

Thegladiator，withasignificantglanceathiscompanions，extendedanarmwhich，ifnotsohugeinitsgirthasthoseofhiscomrades，wassofirminitsmuscles，sobeautifullysymmetricalinitsproportions，thatthethreevisitorsutteredsimultaneouslyanadmiringexclamation。

’Well，man，whatisyourweapon？’saidClodius，tabletinhand。

’Wearetofightfirstwiththecestus；afterwards，ifbothsurvive，withswords，’returnedTetraides，sharply，andwithanenviousscowl。

’Withthecestus！’criedGlaucus；’thereyouarewrong，Lydon；thecestusistheGreekfashion：Iknowitwell。Youshouldhaveencouragedfleshforthatcontest：youarefartoothinforit——avoidthecestus。’

’Icannot，’saidLydon。

’Andwhy？’

’Ihavesaid——becausehehaschallengedme。’

’Buthewillnotholdyoutothepreciseweapon。’

’Myhonourholdsme！’returnedLydon，proudly。

’IbetonTetraides，twotoone，atthecestus，’saidClodius；shallitbe，Lepidus？——evenbetting，withswords。’

’Ifyougivemethreetoone，Iwillnottaketheodds，saidLepidus：’Lydonwillnevercometotheswords。Youaremightycourteous。’

’Whatsayyou，Glaucus？’saidClodius。

’Iwilltaketheoddsthreetoone。’

’Tensestertiatothirty。’

’Yes。’

Clodiuswrotethebetinhisbook。

’Pardonme，noblesponsormine，’saidLydon，inalowvoicetoGlaucus：’buthowmuchthinkyouthevictorwillgain？’

’Howmuch？why，perhapssevensestertia。’

’Youaresureitwillbeasmuch？’

’Atleast。Butoutonyou！——aGreekwouldhavethoughtofthehonour，andnotthemoney。OItalians！everywhereyeareItalians！’

Ablushmantledoverthebronzedcheekofthegladiator。

’Donotwrongme，nobleGlaucus；Ithinkofboth，butIshouldneverhavebeenagladiatorbutforthemoney。’

’Base！mayestthoufall！Amiserneverwasahero。’

’Iamnotamiser，’saidLydon，haughtily，andhewithdrewtotheotherendoftheroom。

’ButIdon’tseeBurbo；whereisBurbo？ImusttalkwithBurbo，’criedClodius。

’Heiswithin，’saidNiger，pointingtothedoorattheextremityoftheroom。

’AndStratonice，thebraveoldlass，whereisshe？’quothLepidus。

’Why，shewasherejustbeforeyouentered；butsheheardsomethingthatdispleasedheryonder，andvanished。Pollux！oldBurbohadperhapscaughtholdofsomegirlinthebackroom。Iheardafemale’svoicecryingout；

theolddameisasjealousasJuno。’

’Ho！excellent！’criedLepidus，laughing。’Come，Clodius，letusgoshareswithJupiter；perhapshehascaughtaLeda。’

Atthismomentaloudcryofpainandterrorstartledthegroup。

’Oh，spareme！spareme！Iambutachild，Iamblind——isnotthatpunishmentenough？’

’OPallas！Iknowthatvoice，itismypoorflower—girl！’exclaimedGlaucus，andhedartedatonceintothequarterwhencethecryrose。

Heburstthedoor；hebeheldNydiawrithinginthegraspoftheinfuriatehag；thecord，alreadydabbledwithblood，wasraisedintheair——itwassuddenlyarrested。

’Fury！’saidGlaucus，andwithhislefthandhecaughtNydiafromhergrasp；

’howdareyouusethusagirl——oneofyourownsex，achild！MyNydia，mypoorinfant！’

’Oh？isthatyou——isthatGlaucus？’exclaimedtheflower—girl，inatonealmostoftransport；thetearsstoodarrestedonhercheek；shesmiled，sheclungtohisbreast，shekissedhisrobeassheclung。

’Andhowdareyou，pertstranger！interferebetweenafreewomanandherslave。Bythegods！despiteyourfinetunicandyourfilthyperfumes，I

doubtwhetheryouareevenaRomancitizen，mymannikin。’

’Fairwords，mistress——fairwords！’saidClodius，nowenteringwithLepidus。

’Thisismyfriendandswornbrother；hemustbeputundershelterofyourtongue，sweetone；itrainsstones！’

’Givememyslave！’shriekedthevirago，placinghermightygrasponthebreastoftheGreek。

’NotifallyoursisterFuriescouldhelpyou，’answeredGlaucus。’Fearnot，sweetNydia；anAthenianneverforsookdistress！’

’Holla！’saidBurbo，risingreluctantly，’Whatturmoilisallthisaboutaslave？Letgotheyounggentleman，wife——lethimgo：forhissakethepertthingshallbesparedthisonce。’Sosaying，hedrew，orratherdraggedoff，hisferocioushelp—mate。

’Methoughtwhenweentered，’saidClodius，’therewasanothermanpresent？’

’Heisgone。’

ForthepriestofIsishadindeedthoughtithightimetovanish。

’Oh，afriendofmine！abrothercupman，aquietdog，whodoesnotlovethesesnarlings，’saidBurbo，carelessly。’Butgo，child，youwilltearthegentleman’stunicifyouclingtohimsotight；go，youarepardoned。’

’Oh，donot——donotforsakeme！’criedNydia，clingingyetclosertotheAthenian。

Movedbyherforlornsituation，herappealtohim，herowninnumerableandtouchinggraces，theGreekseatedhimselfononeoftherudechairs。Heheldheronhisknees——hewipedthebloodfromhershoulderswithhislonghair——hekissedthetearsfromhercheeks——hewhisperedtoherathousandofthosesoothingwordswithwhichwecalmthegriefofachild——andsobeautifuldidheseeminhisgentleandconsolingtask，thateventhefierceheartofStratonicewastouched。Hispresenceseemedtoshedlightoverthatbaseandobscenehaunt——young，beautiful，glorious，hewastheemblemofallthatearthmademosthappy，comfortingonethatearthhadabandoned！

’Well，whocouldhavethoughtourblindNydiahadbeensohonored！’saidthevirago，wipingherheatedbrow。

GlaucuslookedupatBurbo。

’Mygoodman，’saidhe，’thisisyourslave；shesingswell，sheisaccustomedtothecareofflowers——Iwishtomakeapresentofsuchaslavetoalady。Willyousellhertome？’Ashespokehefeltthewholeframeofthepoorgirltremblewithdelight；shestartedup，sheputherdisheveledhairfromhereyes，shelookedaround，asif，alas，shehadthepowertosee！

’SellourNydia！no，indeed，’saidStratonice，gruffly。

Nydiasankbackwithalongsigh，andagainclaspedtherobeofherprotector。

’Nonsense！’saidClodius，imperiously：’youmustobligeme。What，man！what，olddame！offendme，andyourtradeisruined。IsnotBurbomykinsmanPansa’sclient？AmInottheoracleoftheamphitheatreanditsheroes？IfIsaytheword，breakupyourwine—jars——yousellnomore。Glaucus，theslaveisyours。’

Burboscratchedhishugehead，inevidentembarrassment。

’Thegirlisworthherweightingoldtome。’

’Nameyourprice，Iamrich，’saidGlaucus。

TheancientItalianswerelikethemodern，therewasnothingtheywouldnotsell，muchlessapoorblindgirl。

’Ipaidsixsestertiaforher，sheisworthtwelvenow，’mutteredStratonice。

’Youshallhavetwenty；cometothemagistratesatonce，andthentomyhouseforyourmoney。’

’IwouldnothavesoldthedeargirlforahundredbuttoobligenobleClodius，’saidBurbo，whiningly。’AndyouwillspeaktoPansaabouttheplaceofdesignatorattheamphitheatre，nobleClodius？itwouldjustsuitme。’

’Thoushalthaveit，’saidClodius；addinginawhispertoBurbo，’YonGreekcanmakeyourfortune；moneyrunsthroughhimlikeasieve：markto—daywithwhitechalk，myPriam。’

’Andabis？’saidGlaucus，intheformalquestionofsaleandbarter。

’Dabitur，’answeredBurbo。

’Then，then，Iamtogowithyou——withyou？Ohappiness！’murmuredNydia。

’Prettyone，yes；andthyhardesttaskhenceforthshallbetosingthyGrecianhymnstotheloveliestladyinPompeii。’

Thegirlsprangfromhisclasp；achangecameoverherwholeface，brighttheinstantbefore；shesighedheavily，andthenoncemoretakinghishand，shesaid：

’IthoughtIwastogotoyourhouse？’

’Andsothoushaltforthepresent；come，welosetime。’

ChapterIV

THERIVALOFGLAUCUSPRESSESONWARDINTHERACE。

IONEwasoneofthosebrilliantcharacterswhich，butonceortwice，flashacrossourcareer。Sheunitedinthehighestperfectiontherarestofearthlygifts——GeniusandBeauty。Nooneeverpossessedsuperiorintellectualqualitieswithoutknowingthem——thealliterationofmodestyandmeritisprettyenough，butwheremeritisgreat，theveilofthatmodestyyouadmireneverdisguisesitsextentfromitspossessor。Itistheproudconsciousnessofcertainqualitiesthatitcannotrevealtotheeverydayworld，thatgivestogeniusthatshy，andreserved，andtroubledair，whichpuzzlesandflattersyouwhenyouencounterit。

Ione，then，knewhergenius；but，withthatcharmingversatilitythatbelongsofrighttowomen，shehadthefacultysofewofakindredgeniusinthelessmalleablesexcanclaim——thefacultytobendandmodelhergracefulintellecttoallwhomitencountered。Thesparklingfountainthrewitswatersalikeuponthestrand，thecavern，andtheflowers；itrefreshed，itsmiled，itdazzledeverywhere。Thatpride，whichisthenecessaryresultofsuperiority，sheworeeasily——inherbreastitconcentreditselfinindependence。Shepursuedthusherownbrightandsolitarypath。Sheaskednoagedmatrontodirectandguideher——shewalkedalonebythetorchofherownunflickeringpurity。Sheobeyednotyrannicalandabsolutecustom。Shemouldedcustomtoherownwill，butthissodelicatelyandwithsofeminineagrace，soperfectanexemptionfromerror，thatyoucouldnotsaysheoutragedcustombutcommandedit。Thewealthofhergraceswasinexhaustible——shebeautifiedthecommonestaction；aword，alookfromher，seemedmagic。Loveher，andyouenteredintoanewworld，youpassedfromthistriteandcommonplaceearth。Youwereinalandinwhichyoureyessaweverythingthroughanenchantedmedium。Inherpresenceyoufeltasiflisteningtoexquisitemusic；youweresteepedinthatsentimentwhichhassolittleofearthinit，andwhichmusicsowellinspires——thatintoxicationwhichrefinesandexalts，whichseizes，itistrue，thesenses，butgivesthemthecharacterofthesoul。

Shewaspeculiarlyformed，then，tocommandandfascinatethelessordinaryandtheboldernaturesofmen；toloveherwastounitetwopassions，thatofloveandofambition——youaspiredwhenyouadoredher。ItwasnowonderthatshehadcompletelychainedandsubduedthemysteriousbutburningsouloftheEgyptian，amaninwhomdweltthefiercestpassions。Herbeautyandhersoulalikeenthralledhim。

Setaparthimselffromthecommonworld，helovedthatdaringnessofcharacterwhichalsomadeitself，amongcommonthings，aloofandalone。Hedidnot，orhewouldnotsee，thatthatveryisolationputheryetmorefromhimthanfromthevulgar。Farasthepoles——farasthenightfromday，hissolitudewasdividedfromhers。Hewassolitaryfromhisdarkandsolemnvices——shefromherbeautifulfanciesandherpurityofvirtue。

IfitwasnotstrangethatIonethusenthralledtheEgyptian，farlessstrangewasitthatshehadcaptured，assuddenlyasirrevocably，thebrightandsunnyheartoftheAthenian。ThegladnessofatemperamentwhichseemedwovenfromthebeamsoflighthadledGlaucusintopleasure。Heobeyednomoreviciousdictateswhenhewanderedintothedissipationsofhistime，thantheexhilaratingvoicesofyouthandhealth。Hethrewthebrightnessofhisnatureovereveryabyssandcavernthroughwhichhestrayed。Hisimaginationdazzledhim，buthisheartneverwascorrupted。

Offarmorepenetrationthanhiscompanionsdeemed，hesawthattheysoughttopreyuponhisrichesandhisyouth：buthedespisedwealthsaveasthemeansofenjoyment，andyouthwasthegreatsympathythatunitedhimtothem。Hefelt，itistrue，theimpulseofnoblerthoughtsandhigheraimsthaninpleasurecouldbeindulged：buttheworldwasonevastprison，towhichtheSovereignofRomewastheImperialgaoler；andtheveryvirtues，whichinthefreedaysofAthenswouldhavemadehimambitious，intheslaveryofearthmadehiminactiveandsupine。Forinthatunnaturalandbloatedcivilization，allthatwasnobleinemulationwasforbidden。