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。