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。