第18章

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。