’Andif，’resumedLydon——’ifthyDeity（methinksthouwiltownbutone？）beindeedthatbenevolentandpityingPowerwhichthouassertestHimtobe，HewillknowalsothatthyveryfaithinHimfirstconfirmedmeinthatdeterminationthoublamest。’
’How！whatmeanyou？’saidtheslave。
’Why，thouknowestthatI，soldinmychildhoodasaslave，wassetfreeatRomebythewillofmymaster，whomIhadbeenfortunateenoughtoplease。
IhastenedtoPompeiitoseethee——Ifoundtheealreadyagedandinfirm，undertheyokeofacapriciousandpamperedlord——thouhadstlatelyadoptedthisnewfaith，anditsadoptionmadethyslaverydoublypainfultothee；ittookawayallthesofteningcharmofcustom，whichreconcilesussooftentotheworst。Didstthounotcomplaintomethatthouwertcompelledtoofficesthatwerenotodioustotheeasaslave，butguiltyasaNazarene？
DidstthounottellmethatthysoulshookwithremorsewhenthouwertcompelledtoplaceevenacrumbofcakebeforetheLaresthatwatchoveryonimpluvium？thatthysoulwastornbyaperpetualstruggle？Didstthounottellmethatevenbypouringwinebeforethethreshold，andcallingonthenameofsomeGreciandeity，thoudidstfearthouwertincurringpenaltiesworsethanthoseofTantalus，aneternityoftorturesmoreterriblethanthoseoftheTartarianfields？Didstthounottellmethis？Iwondered，I
couldnotcomprehend；nor，byHercules！canInow：butIwasthyson，andmysoletaskwastocompassionateandrelieve。CouldIhearthygroans，couldIwitnessthymysterioushorrors，thyconstantanguish，andremaininactive？
No！bytheimmortalgods！thethoughtstruckmelikelightfromOlympus！I
hadnomoney，butIhadstrengthandyouth——thesewerethygifts——Icouldselltheseinmyturnforthee！Ilearnedtheamountofthyransom——I
learnedthattheusualprizeofavictoriousgladiatorwoulddoublypayit。
Ibecameagladiator——Ilinkedmyselfwiththoseaccursedmen，scorning，loathing，whileIjoined——Iacquiredtheirskill——blessedbethelesson！——itshallteachmetofreemyfather！’
’Oh，thatthoucouldsthearOlinthus！’sighedtheoldman，moreandmoreaffectedbythevirtueofhisson，butnotlessstronglyconvincedofthecriminalityofhispurpose。
’Iwillhearthewholeworldtalkifthouwilt，’answeredthegladiator，gaily；’butnottillthouartaslavenomore。Beneaththyownroof，myfather，thoushaltpuzzlethisdullbrainalldaylong，ay，andallnighttoo，ifitgivetheepleasure。Oh，suchaspotasIhavechalkedoutforthee！——itisoneoftheninehundredandninety—nineshopsofoldJuliaFelix，inthesunnypartofthecity，wherethoumaystbaskbeforethedoorintheday——andIwillselltheoilandthewineforthee，myfather——andthen，pleaseVenus（orifitdoesnotpleaseher，sincethoulovestnothername，itisallonetoLydon）——then，Isay，perhapsthoumaysthaveadaughter，too，totendthygreyhairs，andhearshrillvoicesatthyknee，thatshallcallthee"Lydon’sfather！"Ah！weshallbesohappy——theprizecanpurchaseall。Cheerthee！cheerup，mysire！——AndnowImustaway——daywears——thelanistawaitsme。Come！thyblessing！’
AsLydonthusspoke，hehadalreadyquittedthedarkchamberofhisfather；
andspeakingeagerly，thoughinawhisperedtone，theynowstoodatthesameplaceinwhichweintroducedtheporterathispost。
’Oblessthee！blessthee，mybraveboy！’saidMedon，fervently；’andmaythegreatPowerthatreadsallheartsseethenoblenessofthine，andforgiveitserror！’
Thetallshapeofthegladiatorpassedswiftlydownthepath；theeyesoftheslavefolloweditslightbutstatelysteps，tillthelastglimpsewasgone；andthen，sinkingoncemoreonhisseat，hiseyesagainfastenedthemselvesontheground。Hisform，muteandunmoving，asathingofstone。
Hisheart！——who，inourhappierage，canevenimagineitsstruggles——itscommotion？
’MayIenter？’saidasweetvoice。’IsthymistressJuliawithin？’
Theslavemechanicallymotionedtothevisitortoenter，butshewhoaddressedhimcouldnotseethegesture——sherepeatedherquestiontimidly，butinaloudervoice。
’HaveInottoldthee！’saidtheslave，peevishly：’enter。’
’Thanks，’saidthespeaker，plaintively；andtheslave，rousedbythetone，lookedup，andrecognizedtheblindflower—girl。Sorrowcansympathizewithaffliction——heraisedhimself，andguidedherstepstotheheadoftheadjacentstaircase（bywhichyoudescendedtoJulia’sapartment），where，summoningafemaleslave，heconsignedtoherthechargeoftheblindgirl。
ChapterVII
THEDRESSING—ROOMOFAPOMPEIANBEAUTY。IMPORTANTCONVERSATIONBETWEENJULIA
ANDNYDIA。
THEelegantJuliasatinherchamber，withherslavesaroundher——likethecubiculumwhichadjoinedit，theroomwassmall，butmuchlargerthantheusualapartmentsappropriatedtosleep，whichweresodiminutive，thatfewwhohavenotseenthebed—chambers，eveninthegayestmansions，canformanynotionofthepettypigeon—holesinwhichthecitizensofPompeiievidentlythoughtitdesirabletopassthenight。But，infact，’bed’withtheancientswasnotthatgrave，serious，andimportantpartofdomesticmysterieswhichitiswithus。Thecouchitselfwasmorelikeaverynarrowandsmallsofa，lightenoughtobetransportedeasily，andbytheoccupanthimself，fromplacetoplace；anditwas，nodoubt，constantlyshiftedfromchambertochamber，accordingtothecapriceoftheinmate，orthechangesoftheseason；forthatsideofthehousewhichwascrowdedinonemonth，might，perhaps，becarefullyavoidedinthenext。TherewasalsoamongtheItaliansofthatperiodasingularandfastidiousapprehensionoftoomuchdaylight；theirdarkenedchambers，whichfirstappeartoustheresultofanegligentarchitecture，weretheeffectofthemostelaboratestudy。Intheirporticoesandgardenstheycourtedthesunwheneveritsopleasedtheirluxurioustastes。Intheinterioroftheirhousestheysoughtratherthecoolnessandtheshade。
Julia’sapartmentatthatseasonwasinthelowerpartofthehouse，immediatelybeneaththestateroomsabove，andlookinguponthegarden，withwhichitwasonalevel。Thewidedoor，whichwasglazed，aloneadmittedthemorningrays：yethereye，accustomedtoacertaindarkness，wassufficientlyacutetoperceiveexactlywhatcolorswerethemostbecoming——whatshadeofthedelicaterougegavethebrightestbeamtoherdarkglance，andthemostyouthfulfreshnesstohercheek。
Onthetable，beforewhichshesat，wasasmallandcircularmirrorofthemostpolishedsteel：roundwhich，inpreciseorder，wererangedthecosmeticsandtheunguents——theperfumesandthepaints——thejewelsandcombs——theribandsandthegoldpins，whichweredestinedtoaddtothenaturalattractionsofbeautytheassistanceofartandthecapriciousallurementsoffashion。Throughthedimnessoftheroomglowedbrightlythevividandvariouscolouringsofthewall，inallthedazzlingfrescoesofPompeiantaste。Beforethedressing—table，andunderthefeetofJulia，wasspreadacarpet，wovenfromtheloomsoftheEast。Nearathand，onanothertable，wasasilverbasinandewer；anextinguishedlamp，ofmostexquisiteworkmanship，inwhichtheartisthadrepresentedaCupidreposingunderthespreadingbranchesofamyrtle—tree；andasmallrollofpapyrus，containingthesoftestelegiesofTibullus。Beforethedoor，whichcommunicatedwiththecubiculum，hungacurtainrichlybroideredwithgoldflowers。Suchwasthedressing—roomofabeautyeighteencenturiesago。
ThefairJulialeanedindolentlybackonherseat，whiletheornatrix（i。e。
hairdresser）slowlypiled，oneabovetheother，amassofsmallcurls，dexterouslyweavingthefalsewiththetrue，andcarryingthewholefabrictoaheightthatseemedtoplacetheheadratheratthecentrethanthesummitofthehumanform。
Hertunic，ofadeepamber，whichwellsetoffherdarkhairandsomewhatembrownedcomplexion，sweptinamplefoldstoherfeet，whichwerecasedinslippers，fastenedroundtheslenderanklebywhitethongs；whileaprofusionofpearlswereembroideredintheslipperitself，whichwasofpurple，andturnedslightlyupward，asdotheTurkishslippersatthisday。
Anoldslave，skilledbylongexperienceinallthearcanaofthetoilet，stoodbesidethehairdresser，withthebroadandstuddedgirdleofhermistressoverherarm，andgiving，fromtimetotime（mingledwithjudiciousflatterytotheladyherself），instructionstothemasonoftheascendingpile。
’Putthatpinrathermoretotheright——lower——stupidone！Doyounotobservehoweventhosebeautifuleyebrowsare？——OnewouldthinkyouweredressingCorinna，whosefaceisallofoneside。Nowputintheflowers——what，fool！——notthatdullpink——youarenotsuitingcolorstothedimcheekofChloris：itmustbethebrightestflowersthatcanalonesuitthecheekoftheyoungJulia。’
’Gently！’saidthelady，stampinghersmallfootviolently：’youpullmyhairasifyouwerepluckingupaweed！’
’Dullthing！’continuedthedirectressoftheceremony。’Doyounotknowhowdelicateisyourmistress？——youarenotdressingthecoarsehorsehairofthewidowFulvia。Now，then，theriband——that’sright。FairJulia，lookinthemirror；sawyoueveranythingsolovelyasyourself？’
When，afterinnumerablecomments，difficulties，anddelays，theintricatetowerwasatlengthcompleted，thenextpreparationwasthatofgivingtotheeyesthesoftlanguish，producedbyadarkpowderappliedtothelidsandbrows；asmallpatchcutintheformofacrescent，skillfullyplacedbytherosylips，attractedattentiontotheirdimples，andtotheteeth，towhichalreadyeveryarthadbeenappliedinordertoheightenthedazzleoftheirnaturalwhiteness。
Toanotherslave，hithertoidle，wasnowconsignedthechargeofarrangingthejewels——theear—ringsofpearl（twotoeachear）——themassivebraceletsofgold——thechainformedofringsofthesamemetal，towhichatalismancutincrystalswasattached——thegracefulbuckleontheleftshoulder，inwhichwassetanexquisitecameoofPsyche——thegirdleofpurpleriband，richlywroughtwiththreadsofgold，andclaspedbyinterlacingserpents——andlastly，thevariousrings，fittedtoeveryjointofthewhiteandslenderfingers。ThetoiletwasnowarrangedaccordingtothelastmodeofRome。ThefairJuliaregardedherselfwithalastgazeofcomplacentvanity，andrecliningagainuponherseat，shebadetheyoungestofherslaves，inalistlesstone，readtohertheenamouredcoupletsofTibullus。
Thislecturewasstillproceeding，whenafemaleslaveadmittedNydiaintothepresenceoftheladyoftheplace。
’Salve，Julia！’saidtheflower—girl，arrestingherstepswithinafewpacesfromthespotwhereJuliasat，andcrossingherarmsuponherbreast。’I
haveobeyedyourcommands。’
’Youhavedonewell，flower—girl，’answeredthelady。’Approach——youmaytakeaseat。’
OneoftheslavesplacedastoolbyJulia，andNydiaseatedherself。
JulialookedhardattheThessalianforsomemomentsinratheranembarrassedsilence。Shethenmotionedherattendantstowithdraw，andtoclosethedoor。Whentheywerealone，shesaid，lookingmechanicallyfromNydia，andforgetfulthatshewaswithonewhocouldnotobservehercountenance：
’YouservetheNeapolitan，Ione？’
’Iamwithheratpresent，’answeredNydia。
’Issheashandsomeastheysay？’
’Iknownot，’repliedNydia。’HowcanIjudge？’
’Ah！Ishouldhaveremembered。Butthouhastears，ifnoteyes。Dothyfellow—slavestelltheesheishandsome？Slavestalkingwithoneanotherforgettoflattereventheirmistress。’
’Theytellmethatsheisbeautiful。’
’Hem！——saytheythatsheistall？’
’Yes。’
’Why，soamI。Darkhaired？’
’Ihaveheardso。’
’SoamI。AnddothGlaucusvisithermuch？’
’Daily’returnedNydia，withahalf—suppressedsigh。
’Daily，indeed！Doeshefindherhandsome？’
’Ishouldthinkso，sincetheyaresosoontobewedded。’
’Wedded！’criedJulia，turningpaleeventhroughthefalserosesonhercheek，andstartingfromhercouch。Nydiadidnot，ofcourse，perceivetheemotionshehadcaused。Juliaremainedalongtimesilent；butherheavingbreastandflashingeyeswouldhavebetrayed，toonewhocouldhaveseen，thewoundhervanityhadsustained。
’TheytellmethouartaThessalian，’saidshe，atlastbreakingsilence。
’Andtruly！’
’Thessalyisthelandofmagicandofwitches，oftalismansandoflove—philtres，’saidJulia。
’Ithaseverbeencelebratedforitssorcerers，’returnedNydia，timidly。
’Knowestthou，then，blindThessalian，ofanylove—charms？’
’I！’saidtheflower—girl，coloring；’I！howshouldI？No，assuredlynot！’
’Theworseforthee；Icouldhavegiventheegoldenoughtohavepurchasedthyfreedomhadstthoubeenmorewise。’
’Butwhat，’askedNydia，’caninducethebeautifulandwealthyJuliatoaskthatquestionofherservant？Hasshenotmoney，andyouth，andloveliness？
Aretheynotlove—charmsenoughtodispensewithmagic？’
’Toallbutonepersonintheworld，’answeredJulia，haughtily：’butmethinksthyblindnessisinfectious；and……Butnomatter。’
’Andthatoneperson？’saidNydia，eagerly。
’IsnotGlaucus，’repliedJulia，withthecustomarydeceitofhersex。
’Glaucus——no！’
Nydiadrewherbreathmorefreely，andafterashortpauseJuliarecommenced。
’ButtalkingofGlaucus，andhisattachmenttothisNeapolitan，remindedmeoftheinfluenceoflove—spells，which，foroughtIknoworcare，shemayhaveexerciseduponhim。Blindgirl，Ilove，and——shallJulialivetosayit？——amlovednotinreturn！Thishumbles——nay，nothumbles——butitstingsmypride。Iwouldseethisingrateatmyfeet——notinorderthatImightraise，butthatImightspurnhim。WhentheytoldmethouwertThessalian，Iimaginedthyyoungmindmighthavelearnedthedarksecretsofthyclime。’
’Alas！no，murmuredNydia：’wouldithad！’
’Thanks，atleast，forthatkindlywish，’saidJulia，unconsciousofwhatwaspassinginthebreastoftheflower—girl。
’Buttellme——thouhearestthegossipofslaves，alwayspronetothesedimbeliefs；alwaysreadytoapplytosorceryfortheirownlowloves——hastthoueverheardofanyEasternmagicianinthiscity，whopossessestheartofwhichthouartignorant？Novainchiromancer，nojugglerofthemarket—place，butsomemorepotentandmightymagicianofIndiaorofEgypt？’
’OfEgypt？——yes！’saidNydia，shuddering。’WhatPompeianhasnotheardofArbaces？’
’Arbaces！true，’repliedJulia，graspingattherecollection。’Theysayheisamanaboveallthepettyandfalseimposturesofdullpretenders——thatheisversedinthelearningofthestars，andthesecretsoftheancientNox；whynotinthemysteriesoflove？’
’Iftherebeonemagicianlivingwhoseartisabovethatofothers，itisthatdreadman，’answeredNydia；andshefelthertalismanwhileshespoke。
’Heistoowealthytodivineformoney？’continuedJulia，sneeringly。’CanInotvisithim？’
’Itisanevilmansionfortheyoungandthebeautiful，’repliedNydia。’I
haveheard，too，thathelanguishesin……’
’Anevilmansion！’saidJulia，catchingonlythefirstsentence。’Whyso？’
’Theorgiesofhismidnightleisureareimpureandpolluted——atleast，sosaysrumor。’
’ByCeres，byPan，andbyCybele！thoudostbutprovokemycuriosity，insteadofexcitingmyfears，’returnedthewaywardandpamperedPompeian。
’Iwillseekandquestionhimofhislore。Iftotheseorgieslovebeadmitted——whythemorelikelythatheknowsitssecrets！’
Nydiadidnotanswer。
’Iwillseekhimthisveryday，’resumedJulia；’nay，whynotthisveryhour？’
’Atdaylight，andinhispresentstate，thouhastassuredlythelesstofear，’answeredNydia，yieldingtoherownsuddenandsecretwishtolearnifthedarkEgyptianwereindeedpossessedofthosespellstorivetandattractlove，ofwhichtheThessalianhadsooftenheard。
’AndwhodareinsulttherichdaughterofDiomed？’saidJulia，haughtily。
’Iwillgo。’
’MayIvisittheeafterwardstolearntheresult？’askedNydia，anxiously。
’KissmeforthyinterestinJulia’shonour，’answeredthelady。’Yes，assuredly。Thisevewesupabroad——comehitheratthesamehourto—morrow，andthoushaltknowall：Imayhavetoemploytheetoo；butenoughforthepresent。Stay，takethisbraceletforthenewthoughtthouhastinspiredmewith；remember，ifthouservestJulia，sheisgratefulandsheisgenerous。’
’Icannottakethypresent，’saidNydia，puttingasidethebracelet；’butyoungasIam，Icansympathizeunboughtwiththosewholove——andloveinvain。’
’Sayestthouso！’returnedJulia。’Thouspeakestlikeafreewoman——andthoushaltyetbefree——farewell！’
ChapterVIII
JULIASEEKSARBACES。THERESULTOFTHATINTERVIEW。
ARBACESwasseatedinachamberwhichopenedonakindofbalconyorporticothatfrontedhisgarden。Hischeekwaspaleandwornwiththesufferingshehadendured，buthisironframehadalreadyrecoveredfromtheseveresteffectsofthataccidentwhichhadfrustratedhisfelldesignsinthemomentofvictory。Theairthatcamefragrantlytohisbrowrevivedhislanguidsenses，andthebloodcirculatedmorefreelythanithaddonefordaysthroughhisshrunkenveins。
’So，then，’thoughthe，’thestormoffatehasbrokenandblownover——theevilwhichmylorepredicted，threateninglifeitself，haschanced——andyetIlive！Itcameasthestarsforetold；andnowthelong，bright，andprosperouscareerwhichwastosucceedthatevil，ifIsurvivedit，smilesbeyond：Ihavepassed——Ihavesubduedthelatestdangerofmydestiny。NowIhavebuttolayoutthegardensofmyfuturefate——unterrifiedandsecure。
First，then，ofallmypleasures，evenbeforethatoflove，shallcomerevenge！ThisboyGreek——whohascrossedmypassion——thwartedmydesigns——baffledmeevenwhenthebladewasabouttodrinkhisaccursedblood——shallnotasecondtimeescapeme！Butforthemethodofmyvengeance？Ofthatletmeponderwell！Oh！Ate，ifthouartindeedagoddess，fillmewiththydirestInspiration！’TheEgyptiansankintoanintentreverie，whichdidnotseemtopresenttohimanyclearorsatisfactorysuggestions。Hechangedhispositionrestlessly，asherevolvedschemeafterscheme，whichnosooneroccurredthanitwasdismissed：severaltimeshestruckhisbreastandgroanedaloud，withthedesireofvengeance，andasenseofhisimpotencetoaccomplishit。Whilethusabsorbed，aboyslavetimidlyenteredthechamber。
Afemale，evidentlyofrankfromherdress，andthatofthesingleslavewhoattendedher，waitedbelowandsoughtanaudiencewithArbaces。
’Afemale！’hisheartbeatquick。’Issheyoung？’
’Herfaceisconcealedbyherveil；butherformisslight，yetround，asthatofyouth。’
’Admither，’saidtheEgyptian：foramomenthisvainheartdreamedthestrangermightbeIone。
Thefirstglanceofthevisitornowenteringtheapartmentsufficedtoundeceivesoerringafancy。True，shewasaboutthesameheightasIone，andperhapsthesameage——true，shewasfinelyandrichlyformed——butwherewasthatundulatingandineffablegracewhichaccompaniedeverymotionofthepeerlessNeapolitan——thechasteanddecorousgarb，sosimpleeveninthecareofitsarrangement——thedignifiedyetbashfulstep——themajestyofwomanhoodanditsmodesty？
’PardonmethatIrisewithpain，’saidArbaces，gazingonthestranger：’I
amstillsufferingfromrecentillness。’
’Donotdisturbthyself，OgreatEgyptian！’returnedJulia，seekingtodisguisethefearshealreadyexperiencedbeneaththereadyresortofflattery；’andforgiveanunfortunatefemale，whoseeksconsolationfromthywisdom。’
’Drawnear，fairstranger，’saidArbaces；’andspeakwithoutapprehensionorreserve。’
JuliaplacedherselfonaseatbesidetheEgyptian，andwonderinglygazedaroundanapartmentwhoseelaborateandcostlyluxuriesshamedeventheornateenrichmentofherfather’smansion；fearfully，too，sheregardedthehieroglyphicalinscriptionsonthewalls——thefacesofthemysteriousimages，whichateverycornergazeduponher——thetripodatalittledistance——and，aboveall，thegraveandremarkablecountenanceofArbaceshimself：alongwhiterobelikeaveilhalfcoveredhisravenlocks，andflowedtohisfeet：hisfacewasmadeevenmoreimpressivebyitspresentpaleness；andhisdarkandpenetratingeyesseemedtopiercetheshelterofherveil，andexplorethesecretsofhervainandunfemininesoul。
’Andwhat，’saidhislow，deepvoice，’bringsthee，Omaiden！tothehouseoftheEasternstranger？’
’Hisfame，’repliedJulia。
’Inwhat？’saidhe，withastrangeandslightsmile。
’Canstthouask，OwiseArbaces？IsnotthyknowledgetheverygossipthemeofPompeii？’
’SomelittlelorehaveIindeed，treasuredup，’repliedArbaces：’butinwhatcansuchseriousandsterilesecretsbenefittheearofbeauty？’
’Alas！’saidJulia，alittlecheeredbytheaccustomedaccentsofadulation；
’doesnotsorrowflytowisdomforrelief，andtheywholoveunrequitedly，arenottheythechosenvictimsofgrief？’
’Ha！’saidArbaces，’canunrequitedlovebethelotofsofairaform，whosemodelledproportionsarevisibleevenbeneaththefoldsofthygracefulrobe？Deign，Omaiden！toliftthyveil，thatImayseeatleastifthefacecorrespondinlovelinesswiththeform。’
Notunwilling，perhaps，toexhibithercharms，andthinkingtheywerelikelytointerestthemagicianinherfate，Julia，aftersomeslighthesitation，raisedherveil，andrevealedabeautywhich，butforart，hadbeenindeedattractivetothefixedgazeoftheEgyptian。
’Thoucomesttomeforadviceinunhappylove，’saidhe；’well，turnthatfaceontheungratefulone：whatotherlove—charmcanIgivethee？’
’Oh，ceasethesecourtesies！’saidJulia；’itisalove—charm，indeed，thatIwouldaskfromthyskill！’
’Fairstranger！’repliedArbaces，somewhatscornfully，’love—spellsarenotamongthesecretsIhavewastedthemidnightoiltoattain。’
’Isitindeedso？Thenpardonme，greatArbaces，andfarewell！’
’Stay，’saidArbaces，who，despitehispassionforIone，wasnotunmovedbythebeautyofhisvisitor；andhadhebeenintheflushofamoreassuredhealth，mighthaveattemptedtoconsolethefairJuliabyothermeansthanthoseofsupernaturalwisdom。
’Stay；althoughIconfessthatIhaveleftthewitcheryofphiltresandpotionstothosewhosetradeisinsuchknowledge，yetamImyselfnotsodulltobeautybutthatinearlieryouthImayhaveemployedtheminmyownbehalf。Imaygivetheeadvice，atleast，ifthouwiltbecandidwithme。
Tellmethen，first，artthouunmarried，asthydressbetokens？’
’Yes，’saidJulia。
’And，beingunblestwithfortune，wouldstthoualluresomewealthysuitor？’
’Iamricherthanhewhodisdainsme。’
’Strangeandmorestrange！Andthoulovesthimwholovesnotthee？’
’IknownotifIlovehim，’answeredJulia，haughtily；’butIknowthatI
wouldseemyselftriumphoverarival——Iwouldseehimwhorejectedmemysuitor——Iwouldseeherwhomhehaspreferredinherturndespised。’
’Anaturalambitionandawomanly，’saidtheEgyptian，inatonetoograveforirony。’Yetmore，fairmaiden；wiltthouconfidetomethenameofthylover？CanhebePompeian，anddespisewealth，evenifblindtobeauty？’
’HeisofAthens，’answeredJulia，lookingdown。
’Ha！’criedtheEgyptian，impetuously，asthebloodrushedtohischeek；
’thereisbutoneAthenian，youngandnoble，inPompeii。CanitbeGlaucusofwhomthouspeakest！’
’Ah！betraymenot——soindeedtheycallhim。’
TheEgyptiansankback，gazingvacantlyontheavertedfaceofthemerchant’sdaughter，andmutteringinlytohimself：thisconference，withwhichhehadhithertoonlytrifled，amusinghimselfwiththecredulityandvanityofhisvisitor——mightitnotministertohisrevenge？’
’Iseethoucanstassistmenot，’saidJulia，offendedbyhiscontinuedsilence；’guardatleastmysecret。Oncemore，farewell！’
’Maiden，’saidtheEgyptian，inanearnestandserioustone，’thysuithathtouchedme——Iwillministertothywill。Listentome；Ihavenotmyselfdabbledintheselessermysteries，butIknowonewhohath。AtthebaseofVesuvius，lessthanaleaguefromthecity，theredwellsapowerfulwitch；
beneaththerankdewsofthenewmoon，shehasgatheredtheherbswhichpossessthevirtuetochainLoveineternalfetters。Herartcanbringthylovertothyfeet。Seekher，andmentiontoherthenameofArbaces：shefearsthatname，andwillgivetheehermostpotentphiltres。’
’Alas！’answeredJulia，Iknownottheroadtothehomeofherwhomthouspeakestof：theway，shortthoughitbe，islongtotraverseforagirlwholeaves，unknown，thehouseofherfather。Thecountryisentangledwithwildvines，anddangerouswithprecipitouscaverns。Idarenottrusttomerestrangerstoguideme；thereputationofwomenofmyrankiseasilytarnished——andthoughIcarenotwhoknowsthatIloveGlaucus，IwouldnothaveitimaginedthatIobtainedhislovebyaspell。’
’WereIbutthreedaysadvancedinhealth，’saidtheEgyptian，risingandwalking（asiftotryhisstrength）acrossthechamber，butwithirregularandfeeblesteps，’Imyselfwouldaccompanythee。Well，thoumustwait。’
’ButGlaucusissoontowedthathatedNeapolitan。’
’Wed！’