see，shediscoversme！’
　　’Oh！Glaucus！Glaucus！doyounotknowme？Ravenotsowildly，orthouwiltkillmewithaword！’
　　AnewchangeseemednowtooperateuponthejarringanddisorderedmindoftheunfortunateAthenian。HeputhishanduponNydia’ssilkenhair；hesmoothedthelocks——helookedwistfullyuponherface，andthen，asinthebrokenchainofthoughtoneortwolinkswereyetunsevered，itseemedthathercountenancebroughtitsassociationsofIone；andwiththatremembrancehismadnessbecameyetmorepowerful，anditswayedandtingedbypassion，asheburstforth：
　　’IswearbyVenus，byDiana，andbyJuno，thatthoughIhavenowtheworldonmyshoulders，asmycountrymanHercules（ah，dullRome！whoeverwastrulygreatwasofGreece；why，youwouldbegodlessifitwerenotforus！）——I
　　say，asmycountrymanHerculeshadbeforeme，IwouldletitfallintochaosforonesmilefromIone。Ah，Beautiful，——Adored，’headded，inavoiceinexpressiblyfondandplaintive，’thoulovestmenot。Thouartunkindtome。TheEgyptianhathbeliedmetothee——thouknowestnotwhathoursIhavespentbeneaththycasement——thouknowestnothowIhaveoutwatchedthestars，thinkingthou，mysun，wouldstriseatlast——andthoulovestmenot，thouforsakestme！Oh！donotleavemenow！Ifeelthatmylifewillnotbelong；letmegazeontheeatleastuntothelast。Iamofthebrightlandofthyfathers——IhavetrodtheheightsofPhyle——Ihavegatheredthehyacinthandroseamidsttheolive—grovesofIlyssus。Thoushouldstnotdesertme，forthyfatherswerebrotherstomyown。Andtheysaythislandislovely，andtheseclimesserene，butIwillbeartheewithme——Ho！darkform，whyrisestthoulikeacloudbetweenmeandmine？Deathsitscalmlydreaduponthybrow——onthylipisthesmilethatslays：thynameisOrcus，butonearthmencalltheeArbaces。See，Iknowthee！fly，dimshadow，thyspellsavailnot！’
　　’Glaucus！Glaucus！’murmuredNydia，releasingherholdandfalling，beneaththeexcitementofherdismay，remorse，andanguish，insensibleonthefloor。
　　’Whocalls？’saidheinaloudvoice。’Ione，itisshe！theyhaveborneheroff——wewillsaveher——whereismystilus？Ha，Ihaveit！Icome，Ione，tothyrescue！Icome！Icome！’
　　Sosaying，theAthenianwithoneboundpassedtheportico，hetraversedthehouse，andrushedwithswiftbutvacillatingsteps，andmutteringaudiblytohimself，downthestarlitstreets。Thedirefulpotionburntlikefireinhisveins，foritseffectwasmade，perhaps，stillmoresuddenfromthewinehehaddrunkpreviously。Usedtotheexcessesofnocturnalrevellers，thecitizens，withsmilesandwinks，gavewaytohisreelingsteps；theynaturallyimaginedhimundertheinfluenceoftheBromiangod，notvainlyworshippedatPompeii；buttheywholookedtwiceuponhisfacestartedinanamelessfear，andthesmilewitheredfromtheirlips。Hepassedthemorepopulousstreets；and，pursuingmechanicallythewaytoIone’shouse，hetraversedamoredesertedquarter，andenterednowthelonelygroveofCybele，inwhichApaecideshadheldhisinterviewwithOlinthus。
　　ChapterVI
　　AREUNIONOFDIFFERENTACTORS。STREAMSTHATFLOWEDAPPARENTLYAPARTRUSH
　　INTOONEGULF。
　　IMPATIENTtolearnwhetherthefelldrughadyetbeenadministeredbyJuliatohishatedrival，andwithwhateffect，Arbacesresolved，astheeveningcameon，toseekherhouse，andsatisfyhissuspense。Itwascustomary，asI
　　havebeforesaid，formenatthattimetocarryabroadwiththemthetabletsandthestilusattachedtotheirgirdle；andwiththegirdletheywereputoffwhenathome。Infact，undertheappearanceofaliteraryinstrument，theRomanscarriedaboutwiththeminthatsamestilusaverysharpandformidableweapon。ItwaswithhisstilusthatCassiusstabbedCaesarinthesenate—house。Taking，then，hisgirdleandhiscloak，Arbaceslefthishouse，supportinghissteps，whichwerestillsomewhatfeeble（thoughhopeandvengeancehadconspiredgreatlywithhisownmedicalscience，whichwasprofound，torestorehisnaturalstrength），byhislongstaff——ArbacestookhiswaytothevillaofDiomed。
　　Andbeautifulisthemoonlightofthesouth！Inthoseclimesthenightsoquicklyglidesintotheday，thattwilightscarcelymakesabridgebetweenthem。Onemomentofdarkerpurpleinthesky——ofathousandrose—huesinthewater——ofshadehalfvictoriousoverlight；andthenburstforthatoncethecountlessstars——themoonisup——nighthasresumedherreign！
　　Brightlythen，andsoftlybright，fellthemoonbeamsovertheantiquegroveconsecratedtoCybele——thestatelytrees，whosedatewentbeyondtradition，casttheirlongshadowsoverthesoil，whilethroughtheopeningsintheirboughsthestarsshone，stillandfrequent。Thewhitenessofthesmallsacelluminthecentreofthegrove，amidstthedarkfoliage，hadinitsomethingabruptandstartling；itrecalledatoncethepurposetowhichthewoodwasconsecrated——itsholinessandsolemnity。
　　Withaswiftandstealthypace，Calenus，glidingundertheshadeofthetrees，reachedthechapel，andgentlyputtingbacktheboughsthatcompletelyclosedarounditsrear，settledhimselfinhisconcealment；aconcealmentsocomplete，whatwiththefaneinfrontandthetreesbehind，thatnounsuspiciouspassengercouldpossiblyhavedetectedhim。Again，allwasapparentlysolitaryinthegrove：afaroffyouheardfaintlythevoicesofsomenoisyrevellersorthemusicthatplayedcheerilytothegroupsthatthen，asnowinthoseclimates，duringthenightsofsummer，lingeredinthestreets，andenjoyed，inthefreshairandtheliquidmoonlight，amilderday。
　　Fromtheheightonwhichthegrovewasplaced，yousawthroughtheintervalsofthetreesthebroadandpurplesea，ripplinginthedistance，thewhitevillasofStabiaeinthecurvingshore，andthedimLectiarianhillsminglingwiththedelicioussky。PresentlythetallfigureofArbaces，inhiswaytothehouseofDiomed，enteredtheextremeendofthegrove；andatthesameinstantApaecides，alsoboundtohisappointmentwithOlinthus，crossedtheEgyptian’spath。
　　’Hem！Apaecides，’saidArbaces，recognizingthepriestataglance；’whenlastwemet，youweremyfoe。Ihavewishedsincethentoseeyou，forI
　　wouldhaveyoustillmypupilandmyfriend。’
　　ApaecidesstartedatthevoiceoftheEgyptian；andhaltingabruptly，gazeduponhimwithacountenancefullofcontending，bitter，andscornfulemotions。
　　’Villainandimpostor！’saidheatlength；’thouhastrecoveredthenfromthejawsofthegrave！Butthinknotagaintoweavearoundmethyguiltymeshes。Retiarius，Iamarmedagainstthee！’
　　’Hush！’saidArbaces，inaverylowvoice——buthispride，whichinthatdescendantofkingswasgreat，betrayedthewounditreceivedfromtheinsultingepithetsofthepriestinthequiverofhislipandtheflushofhistawnybrow。’Hush！morelow！thoumayestbeoverheard，andifotherearsthanminehaddrunkthosesounds——why……’
　　’Dostthouthreaten？——whatifthewholecityhadheardme？’
　　’Themanesofmyancestorswouldnothavesufferedmetoforgivethee。But，hold，andhearme。ThouartenragedthatIwouldhaveofferedviolencetothysister。Nay，peace，peace，butoneinstant，Ipraythee。Thouartright；itwasthefrenzyofpassionandofjealousy——Ihaverepentedbitterlyofmymadness。Forgiveme；I，whoneverimploredpardonoflivingman，beseechtheenowtoforgiveme。Nay，Iwillatonetheinsult——Iaskthysisterinmarriage——startnot——consider——whatistheallianceofyonholidayGreekcomparedtomine？Wealthunbounded——birththatinitsfarantiquityleavesyourGreekandRomannamesthethingsofyesterday——science——butthatthouknowest！Givemethysister，andmywholelifeshallatoneamoment’serror。’
　　’Egyptian，wereevenItoconsent，mysisterloathestheveryairthoubreathest：butIhavemyownwrongstoforgive——Imaypardontheethatthouhastmademeatooltothydeceits，butneverthatthouhastseducedmetobecometheabettorofthyvices——apollutedandaperjuredman。
　　Tremble！——evennowIpreparethehourinwhichthouandthyfalsegodsshallbeunveiled。ThylewdandCirceanlifeshallbedraggedtoday——thymummingoraclesdisclosed——thefaneoftheidolIsisshallbeabywordandascorn——thenameofArbacesamarkforthehissesofexecration！Tremble！’
　　TheflushontheEgyptian’sbrowwassucceededbyalividpaleness。Helookedbehind，before，around，tofeelassuredthatnonewereby；andthenhefixedhisdarkanddilatingeyeonthepriest，withsuchagazeofwrathandmenace，thatone，perhaps，lesssupportedthanApaecidesbytheferventdaringofadivinezeal，couldnothavefacedwithunflinchinglookthatloweringaspect。Asitwas，however，theyoungconvertmetitunmoved，andreturneditwithaneyeofprouddefiance。
　　’Apaecides，’saidtheEgyptian，inatremulousandinwardtone，’beware！
　　Whatisitthouwouldstmeditate？Speakestthou——reflect，pausebeforethourepliest——fromthehastyinfluencesofwrath，asyetdiviningnosettledpurpose，orfromsomefixeddesign？’
　　’IspeakfromtheinspirationoftheTrueGod，whoseservantInowam，’
　　answeredtheChristian，boldly；’andintheknowledgethatbyHisgracehumancouragehasalreadyfixedthedateofthyhypocrisyandthydemon’sworship；erethricethesunhasdawned，thouwiltknowall！Darksorcerer，tremble，andfarewell！’
　　Allthefierceandluridpassionswhichheinheritedfromhisnationandhisclime，atalltimesbutillconcealedbeneaththeblandnessofcraftandthecoldnessofphilosophy，werereleasedinthebreastoftheEgyptian。
　　Rapidlyonethoughtchasedanother；hesawbeforehimanobstinatebarriertoevenalawfulalliancewithIone——thefellow—championofGlaucusinthestrugglewhichhadbaffledhisdesigns——therevilerofhisname——thethreateneddesecratorofthegoddessheservedwhilehedisbelieved——theavowedandapproachingrevealerofhisownimposturesandvices。Hislove，hisrepute，nay，hisverylife，mightbeindanger——thedayandhourseemedeventohavebeenfixedforsomedesignagainsthim。HeknewbythewordsoftheconvertthatApaecideshadadoptedtheChristianfaith：heknewtheindomitablezealwhichledontheproselytesofthatcreed。Suchwashisenemy；hegraspedhisstilus——thatenemywasinhispower！Theywerenowbeforethechapel；onehastyglanceoncemorehecastaround；hesawnonenear——silenceandsolitudealiketemptedhim。
　　’Die，then，inthyrashness！’hemuttered；’away，obstacletomyrushingfates！’
　　AndjustastheyoungChristianhadturnedtodepart，ArbacesraisedhishandhighovertheleftshoulderofApaecides，andplungedhissharpweapontwiceintohisbreast。
　　Apaecidesfelltothegroundpiercedtotheheart——hefellmute，withoutevenagroan，attheverybaseofthesacredchapel。
　　Arbacesgazeduponhimforamomentwiththefierceanimaljoyofconquestoverafoe。Butpresentlythefullsenseofthedangertowhichhewasexposedflasheduponhim；hewipedhisweaponcarefullyinthelonggrass，andwiththeverygarmentsofhisvictim；drewhiscloakroundhim，andwasabouttodepart，whenhesaw，comingupthepath，rightbeforehim，thefigureofayoungman，whosestepsreeledandvacillatedstrangelyasheadvanced：thequietmoonlightstreamedfulluponhisface，whichseemed，bythewhiteningray，colorlessasmarble。TheEgyptianrecognizedthefaceandformofGlaucus。TheunfortunateandbenightedGreekwaschantingadisconnectedandmadsong，composedfromsnatchesofhymnsandsacredodes，alljarringlywoventogether。
　　’Ha！’thoughttheEgyptian，instantaneouslydivininghisstateanditsterriblecause；’so，then，thehell—draughtworks，anddestinyhathsenttheehithertocrushtwoofmyfoesatonce！’
　　Quickly，evenerethisthoughtoccurredtohim，hehadwithdrawnononesideofthechapel，andconcealedhimselfamongsttheboughs；fromthatlurkingplacehewatched，asatigerinhislair，theadvanceofhissecondvictim。
　　HenotedthewanderingandrestlessfireinthebrightandbeautifuleyesoftheAthenian；theconvulsionsthatdistortedhisstatue—likefeatures，andwrithedhishuelesslip。HesawthattheGreekwasutterlydeprivedofreason。Nevertheless，asGlaucuscameuptothedeadbodyofApaecides，fromwhichthedarkredstreamflowedslowlyoverthegrass，sostrangeandghastlyaspectaclecouldnotfailtoarresthim，benightedanderringaswashisglimmeringsense。Hepaused，placedhishandtohisbrow，asiftocollecthimself，andthensaying：
　　’Whatho！Endymion，sleepestthousosoundly？Whathasthemoonsaidtothee？Thoumakestmejealous；itistimetowake’——hestoopeddownwiththeintentionofliftingupthebody。
　　Forgetting——feelingnot——hisowndebility，theEgyptiansprungfromhishiding—place，and，astheGreekbent，struckhimforciblytotheground，overtheverybodyoftheChristian；then，raisinghispowerfulvoicetoitshighestpitch，heshouted：
　　’Ho，citizens——oh！helpme！——runhither——hither！——Amurder——amurderbeforeyourveryfane！Help，orthemurdererescapes！’Ashespoke，heplacedhisfootonthebreastofGlaucus：anidleandsuperfluousprecaution；forthepotionoperatingwiththefall，theGreeklaytheremotionlessandinsensible，savethatnowandthenhislipsgaveventtosomevagueandravingsounds。
　　Ashetherestoodawaitingthecomingofthosehisvoicestillcontinuedtosummons，perhapssomeremorse，somecompunctiousvisitings——fordespitehiscrimeshewashuman——hauntedthebreastoftheEgyptian；thedefencelessstateofGlaucus——hiswanderingwords——hisshatteredreason，smotehimevenmorethanthedeathofApaecides，andhesaid，halfaudibly，tohimself：
　　’Poorclay！——poorhumanreason；whereisthesoulnow？Icouldsparethee，Omyrival——rivalnevermore！Butdestinymustbeobeyed——mysafetydemandsthysacrifice。’Withthat，asiftodrowncompunction，heshoutedyetmoreloudly；anddrawingfromthegirdleofGlaucusthestilusitcontained，hesteepeditinthebloodofthemurderedman，andlaiditbesidethecorpse。
　　Andnow，fastandbreathless，severalofthecitizenscamethrongingtotheplace，somewithtorches，whichthemoonrenderedunnecessary，butwhichflaredredandtremulouslyagainstthedarknessofthetrees；theysurroundedthespot。’Liftupyoncorpse，’saidtheEgyptian，’andguardwellthemurderer。’
　　Theyraisedthebody，andgreatwastheirhorrorandsacredindignationtodiscoverinthatlifelessclayapriestoftheadoredandvenerableIsis；
　　butstillgreater，perhaps，wastheirsurprise，whentheyfoundtheaccusedinthebrilliantandadmiredAthenian。
　　’Glaucus！’criedthebystanders，withoneaccord；’isitevencredible？’
　　’Iwouldsooner，’whisperedonemantohisneighbor，’believeittobetheEgyptianhimself。’
　　Hereacenturionthrusthimselfintothegatheringcrowd，withanairofauthority。
　　’How！bloodspilt！whothemurderer？’
　　ThebystanderspointedtoGlaucus。
　　’He！——byMars，hehasrathertheairofbeingthevictim！
　　’Whoaccuseshim？’
　　’I，’saidArbaces，drawinghimselfuphaughtily；andthejewelswhichadornedhisdressflashingintheeyesofthesoldier，instantlyconvincedthatworthywarriorofthewitness’srespectability。
　　’Pardonme——yourname？’saidhe。
　　’Arbaces；itiswellknownmethinksinPompeii。Passingthroughthegrove，IbeheldbeforemetheGreekandthepriestinearnestconversation。Iwasstruckbythereelingmotionsofthefirst，hisviolentgestures，andtheloudnessofhisvoice；heseemedtomeeitherdrunkormad。SuddenlyIsawhimraisehisstilus——Idartedforward——toolatetoarresttheblow。Hehadtwicestabbedhisvictim，andwasbendingoverhim，when，inmyhorrorandindignation，Istruckthemurderertotheground。Hefellwithoutastruggle，whichmakesmeyetmoresuspectthathewasnotaltogetherinhissenseswhenthecrimewasperpetrated；for，recentlyrecoveredfromasevereillness，myblowwascomparativelyfeeble，andtheframeofGlaucus，asyousee，isstrongandyouthful。’
　　’Hiseyesareopennow——hislipsmove，’saidthesoldier。’Speak，prisoner，whatsayestthoutothecharge？’
　　’Thecharge——ha——ha！Why，itwasmerrilydone；whentheoldhagsetherserpentatme，andHecatestoodbylaughingfromeartoear——whatcouldI
　　do？ButIamill——Ifaint——theserpent’sfierytonguehathbittenme。Bearmetobed，andsendforyourphysician；oldAEsculapiushimselfwillattendmeifyoulethimknowthatIamGreek。Oh，mercy——mercy！Iburn！——marrowandbrain，Iburn！’
　　And，withathrillingandfiercegroan，theAthenianfellbackinthearmsofthebystanders。
　　’Heraves，’saidtheofficer，compassionately；’andinhisdeliriumhehasstruckthepriest。Hathanyonepresentseenhimto—day！’
　　’I，’saidoneofthespectators，’beheldhiminthemorning。Hepassedmyshopandaccostedme。Heseemedwellandsaneasthestoutestofus！’
　　’AndIsawhimhalfanhourago，’saidanother，’passingupthestreets，mutteringtohimselfwithstrangegestures，andjustastheEgyptianhasdescribed。’
　　’Acorroborationofthewitness！itmustbetootrue。Hemustatalleventstothepraetor；apity，soyoungandsorich！Butthecrimeisdreadful：apriestofIsis，inhisveryrobes，too，andatthebaseitselfofourmostancientchapel！’
　　Atthesewordsthecrowdwereremindedmoreforcibly，thanintheirexcitementandcuriositytheyhadyetbeen，oftheheinousnessofthesacrilege。Theyshudderedinpioushorror。
　　’Nowondertheearthhasquaked，’saidone，’whenitheldsuchamonster！’
　　’Awaywithhimtoprison——away！’criedtheyall。
　　Andonesolitaryvoicewasheardshrillyandjoyouslyabovetherest：
　　’Thebeastswillnotwantagladiatornow，Ho，ho，forthemerry，merryshow！
　　ItwasthevoiceoftheyoungwomanwhoseconversationwithMedonhasbeenrepeated。
　　’True——true——itchancesinseasonforthegames！’criedseveral；andatthatthoughtallpityfortheaccusedseemedvanished。Hisyouth，hisbeauty，butfittedhimbetterforthepurposeofthearena。
　　’Bringhithersomeplanks——orifathand，alitter——tobearthedead，’saidArbaces：’apriestofIsisoughtscarcelytobecarriedtohistemplebyvulgarhands，likeabutcheredgladiator。’
　　AtthisthebystandersreverentlylaidthecorpseofApaecidesontheground，withthefaceupwards；andsomeofthemwentinsearchofsomecontrivancetobearthebody，untouchedbytheprofane。
　　Itwasjustatthattimethatthecrowdgavewaytorightandleftasasturdyformforceditselfthrough，andOlinthustheChristianstoodimmediatelyconfrontingtheEgyptian。Buthiseyes，atfirst，onlyrestedwithinexpressiblegriefandhorroronthatgorysideandupturnedface，onwhichtheagonyofviolentdeathyetlingered。
　　’Murdered！’hesaid。’Isitthyzealthathasbroughttheetothis？Havetheydetectedthynoblepurpose，andbydeathpreventedtheirownshame？’
　　Heturnedhisheadabruptly，andhiseyesfellfullonthesolemnfeaturesoftheEgyptian。
　　Ashelooked，youmightseeinhisface，andeventheslightshiverofhisframe，therepugnanceandaversionwhichtheChristianfeltforonewhomheknewtobesodangerousandsocriminal。Itwasindeedthegazeofthebirduponthebasilisk——sosilentwasitandsoprolonged。Butshakingoffthesuddenchillthathadcreptoverhim，OlinthusextendedhisrightarmtowardsArbaces，andsaid，inadeepandloudvoice：
　　’Murderhathbeendoneuponthiscorpse！Whereisthemurderer？Standforth，Egyptian！For，astheLordliveth，Ibelievethouarttheman！’
　　AnanxiousandperturbedchangemightforonemomentbedetectedontheduskyfeaturesofArbaces；butitgavewaytothefrowningexpressionofindignationandscorn，as，awedandarrestedbythesuddennessandvehemenceofthecharge，thespectatorspressednearerandneareruponthetwomoreprominentactors。
　　’Iknow，’saidArbaces，proudly，’whoismyaccuser，andIguesswhereforehethusarraignsme。Menandcitizens，knowthismanforthemostbitteroftheNazarenes，ifthatorChristiansbetheirpropername！WhatmarvelthatinhismalignityhedaresaccuseevenanEgyptianofthemurderofapriestofEgypt！’
　　’Iknowhim！Iknowthedog！’shoutedseveralvoices。’ItisOlinthustheChristian——orrathertheAtheist——hedeniesthegods！’
　　’Peace，brethren，’saidOlinthus，withdignity，’andhearme！ThismurderedpriestofIsisbeforehisdeathembracedtheChristianfaith——herevealedtomethedarksins，thesorceriesofyonEgyptian——themummeriesanddelusionsofthefaneofIsis。Hewasabouttodeclarethempublicly。He，astranger，unoffending，withoutenemies！whoshouldshedhisbloodbutoneofthosewhofearedhiswitness？Whomightfearthattestimonythemost？——Arbaces，theEgyptian！’
　　’Youhearhim！’saidArbaces；’youhearhim！heblasphemes！AskhimifhebelievesinIsis！’
　　’DoIbelieveinanevildemon？’returnedOlinthus，boldly。
　　Agroanandshudderpassedthroughtheassembly。Nothingdaunted，forpreparedateverytimeforperil，andinthepresentexcitementlosingallprudence，theChristiancontinued：
　　’Back，idolaters！thisclayisnotforyourvainandpollutingrites——itistous——tothefollowersofChrist，thatthelastofficesduetoaChristianbelong。IclaimthisdustinthenameofthegreatCreatorwhohasrecalledthespirit！’
　　WithsosolemnandcommandingavoiceandaspecttheChristianspokethesewords，thateventhecrowdforboretoutteraloudtheexecrationoffearandhatredwhichintheirheartstheyconceived。Andnever，perhaps，sinceLuciferandtheArchangelcontendedforthebodyofthemightyLawgiver，wasthereamorestrikingsubjectforthepainter’sgeniusthanthatsceneexhibited。Thedarktrees——thestatelyfane——themoonfullonthecorpseofthedeceased——thetorchestossingwildlytoandfrointherear——thevariousfacesofthemotleyaudience——theinsensibleformoftheAthenian，supported，inthedistance，andintheforeground，andaboveall，theformsofArbacesandtheChristian：thefirstdrawntoitsfullheight，fartallerthantheherdaround；hisarmsfolded，hisbrowknit，hiseyesfixed，hislipslightlycurledindefianceanddisdain。Thelastbearing，onabrowwornandfurrowed，themajestyofanequalcommand——thefeaturesstern，yetfrank——theaspectbold，yetopen——thequietdignityofthewholeformimpressedwithanineffableearnestness，hushed，asitwere，inasolemnsympathywiththeawehehimselfhadcreated。Hislefthandpointingtothecorpse——hisrighthandraisedtoheaven。
　　Thecenturionpressedforwardagain。
　　’Inthefirstplace，hastthou，Olinthus，orwhateverbethyname，anyproofofthechargethouhastmadeagainstArbaces，beyondthyvaguesuspicions？’
　　Olinthusremainedsilent——theEgyptianlaughedcontemptuously。
　　’DostthouclaimthebodyofapriestofIsisasoneoftheNazareneorChristiansect？’
　　’Ido。’
　　’Swearthenbyyonfane，yonstatueofCybele，byyonmostancientsacelluminPompeii，thatthedeadmanembracedyourfaith！’
　　’Vainman！Idisownyouridols！Iabhoryourtemples！HowcanIswearbyCybelethen？’
　　’Away，awaywiththeAtheist！away！theearthwillswallowus，ifwesuffertheseblasphemersinasacredgrove——awaywithhimtodeath！’
　　’Tothebeasts！’addedafemalevoiceinthecentreofthecrowd；’weshallhaveonea—piecenowforthelionandtiger！’
　　’If，ONazarene，thoudisbelievestinCybele，whichofourgodsdostthouown？’resumedthesoldier，unmovedbythecriesaround。
　　’None！’
　　’Harktohim！hark！’criedthecrowd。
　　’Ovainandblind！’continuedtheChristian，raisinghisvoice：’canyoubelieveinimagesofwoodandstone？Doyouimaginethattheyhaveeyestosee，orearstohear，orhandstohelpye？Isyonmutethingcarvedbyman’sartagoddess！——hathitmademankind？——alas！bymankindwasitmade。
　　Lo！convinceyourselfofitsnothingness——ofyourfolly。’
　　Andashespokehestrodeacrosstothefane，andereanyofthebystanderswereawareofhispurpose，he，inhiscompassionorhiszeal，struckthestatueofwoodfromitspedestal。
　　’See！’criedhe，’yourgoddesscannotavengeherself。Isthisathingtoworship？’
　　Furtherwordsweredeniedtohim：sogrossanddaringasacrilege——ofone，too，ofthemostsacredoftheirplacesofworship——filledeventhemostlukewarmwithrageandhorror。Withoneaccordthecrowdrusheduponhim，seized，andbutfortheinterferenceofthecenturion，theywouldhavetornhimtopieces。
　　’Peace！’saidthesoldier，authoritatively——’referwethisinsolentblasphemertothepropertribunal——timehasbeenalreadywasted。Bearweboththeculpritstothemagistrates；placethebodyofthepriestonthelitter——carryittohisownhome。’
　　AtthismomentapriestofIsissteppedforward。’Iclaimtheseremains，accordingtothecustomofthepriesthood。’
　　’Theflamenbeobeyed，’saidthecenturion。’Howisthemurderer？’
　　’Insensibleorasleep。’
　　’Werehiscrimesless，Icouldpityhim。On！’
　　Arbaces，asheturned，mettheeyeofthatpriestofIsis——itwasCalenus；
　　andsomethingtherewasinthatglance，sosignificantandsinister，thattheEgyptianmutteredtohimself：
　　’Couldhehavewitnessedthedeed？’
　　Agirldartedfromthecrowd，andgazedhardonthefaceofOlinthus。’ByJupiter，astoutknave！Isay，weshallhaveamanforthetigernow；oneforeachbeast！’
　　’Ho！’shoutedthemob；’amanforthelion，andanotherforthetiger！Whatluck！IoPaean！’
　　ChapterVII
　　INWHICHTHEREADERLEARNSTHECONDITIONOFGLAUCUS。FRIENDSHIPTESTED。
　　ENMITYSOFTENED。LOVETHESAME，BECAUSETHEONELOVINGISBLIND。
　　THEnightwassomewhatadvanced，andthegayloungingplacesofthePompeianswerestillcrowded。Youmightobserveinthecountenancesofthevariousidlersamoreearnestexpressionthanusual。Theytalkedinlargeknotsandgroups，asiftheysoughtbynumberstodividethehalf—painful，half—pleasurableanxietywhichbelongedtothesubjectonwhichtheyconversed：itwasasubjectoflifeanddeath。
　　AyoungmanpassedbrisklybythegracefulporticooftheTempleofFortune——sobriskly，indeed，thathecamewithnoslightforcefullagainsttherotundandcomelyformofthatrespectablecitizenDiomed，whowasretiringhomewardtohissuburbanvilla。
　　’Holloa！’groanedthemerchant，recoveringwithsomedifficultyhisequilibrium；’haveyounoeyes？ordoyouthinkIhavenofeeling？ByJupiter！youhavewellnighdrivenoutthedivineparticle；suchanothershock，andmysoulwillbeinHades！’
　　’Ah，Diomed！isityou？forgivemyinadvertence。Iwasabsorbedinthinkingofthereversesoflife。Ourpoorfriend，Glaucus，eh！whocouldhaveguessedit？’
　　’Well，buttellme，Clodius，ishereallytobetriedbythesenate？’
　　’Yes；theysaythecrimeisofsoextraordinaryanaturethatthesenateitselfmustadjudgeit；andsothelictorsaretoinducthimformally。’
　　’Hehasbeenaccusedpublicly，then？’
　　’Tobesure；wherehaveyoubeennottohearthat？’
　　’Why，IhaveonlyjustreturnedfromNeapolis，whitherIwentonbusinesstheverymorningafterhiscrime——soshocking，andatmyhousethesamenightthatithappened！’
　　’Thereisnodoubtofhisguilt，’saidClodius，shrugginghisshoulders；
　　’andasthesecrimestakeprecedenceofalllittleundignifiedpeccadilloes，theywillhastentofinishthesentenceprevioustothegames。’
　　’Thegames！Goodgods！’repliedDiomed，withaslightshudder：’cantheyadjudgehimtothebeasts？——soyoung，sorich！’
　　’True；butthenheisaGreek。HadhebeenaRoman，itwouldhavebeenathousandpities。Theseforeignerscanbebornewithintheirprosperity；
　　butinadversitywemustnotforgetthattheyareinrealityslaves。