A Thorny Path — Complete

  CHAPTER XXIII.

  The slave Argutis was waiting for Melissa in the antechamber. It wasevident that he brought good news, for he beamed with joy as she cametoward him; and before she left the house she knew that her father andPhilip had returned and had regained their freedom.

  The slave had not allowed these joyful tidings to reach his belovedmistress's ear, that he might have the undivided pleasure of bringingthem himself, and the delight she expressed was fully as great as he hadanticipated. Melissa even hurried back to Johanna to impart to her thejoyful intelligence that she might tell it to her mistress.

  When they were in the street the slave told her that, at break ofday, the ship had cast anchor which brought back father and son. Theprisoners had received their freedom while they were still at sea, andhad been permitted to return home at once. All was well, only--he added,hesitatingly and with tears in his eyes--things were not as they used tobe, and now the old were stronger than the young. Her father had takenno harm from the heavy work at the oars, but Philip had returnedfrom the galleys very ill, and they had carried him forthwith to thebedchamber, where Dido was now nursing him. It was a good thing that shehad not been there to hear how the master had stormed and cursed overthe infamy they had had to endure; but the meeting with his birds hadcalmed him down quickly enough.

  Melissa and her attendant were walking in the direction of the Serapeum,but now she declared that she must first see the liberated prisoners.And she insisted upon it, although Argutis assured her of her father'sintention of seeking her at the house of the high-priest, as soon ashe had removed all traces of his captivity and his shameful work at thegalleys in the bath. Philip she would, of course, find at home, hebeing too weak to leave the house. The old man had some difficulty infollowing his young mistress, and she soon stepped lightly over the"Welcome" on the threshold of her father's house. Never had the redmosaic inscription seemed to shine so bright and friendly, and she heardher name called in delighted tones from the kitchen.

  This joyful greeting from Dido was not to be returned from the dooronly. In a moment Melissa was standing by the hearth; but the slave,speechless with happiness, could only point with fork and spoon, firstto the pot in which a large piece of meat was being boiled down intoa strengthening soup for Philip, then to a spit on which two youngchickens were browning before the fire, and then to the pan where shewas frying the little fish of which the returned wanderer was so fond.

  But the old woman's struggle between the duty that kept her near thefire and the love that drew her away from it was not of long duration.In a few minutes Melissa, her hands clasping the slave's withered arm,was listening to the tender words of welcome that Dido had ready forher. The slave woman declared that she scarcely dared to let her eyesrest upon her mistress, much less touch her with the fingers that hadjust been cleaning fish; for the girl was dressed as grandly as thedaughter of the high-priest. Melissa laughed at this; but the slave wenton to say that they had not been able to detain her master. His longingto see his daughter and the desire to speak with Caesar had driven himout of the house, and Alexander had, of course, accompanied him. OnlyPhilip, poor, crushed worm, was at home, and the sight of her would putmore strength into him than the strong soup and the old wine which hisfather had fetched for him from the store-room, although he generallyreserved it for libations on her mother's grave.

  Melissa soon stood beside her brother's couch, and the sight of him casta dark shadow over the brightness of this happy morn. As he recognizedher, a fleeting smile crossed the pale, spiritualized face, which seemedto her to have grown ten years older in this short time; but it vanishedas quickly as it had come. Then the great eyes gazed blankly again fromthe shadows that surrounded them, and a spasm of pain quivered fromtime to time round the thin, tightly closed lips. Melissa could hardlyrestrain her tears. Was this what he had been brought to-the youth whoonly a few days ago had made them all feel conscious of the superiorityof his brilliant mind!

  Her warm heart made her feel more lovingly toward her sick brother thanshe had ever done when he was in health, and surely he was conscious ofthe tenderness with which she strove to comfort him.

  The unaccustomed, hard, and degrading work at the oars, she assured him,would have worn out a stronger man than he; but he would soon be able tovisit the Museum again and argue as bravely as ever. With this, she bentover him to kiss his brow, but he raised himself a little, and said,with a contemptuous smile:

  "Apathy--ataraxy--complete indifference--is the highest aim after whichthe soul of the skeptic strives. That at least"--and here his eyesflashed for a moment--"I have attained to in these cursed days. Thata thinking being could become so utterly callous toeverything--everything, be it what it may--even I could never havebelieved!" He sank into silence, but his sister urged him to takecourage--surely many a glad day was before him yet.

  At this he raised himself more energetically, and exclaimed:

  "Glad days?--for me, and with you? That you should still be of such goodcheer would please or else astonish me if I were still capable of thosesentiments. If things were different, I should ask you now, what haveyou given the imperial bloodhound in return for our freedom?"

  Here Melissa exclaimed indignantly, but he continued unabashed:

  "Alexander says you have found favor with our imperial master. He calls,and you come. Naturally, it is for him to command. See how much can bemade of the child of a gem-cutter! But what says handsome Diodoros toall this?--Why turn so pale? These, truly, are questions which I wouldfling in your face were things as they used to be. Now I say in allunconcern, do what you will!"

  The blood had ebbed from Melissa's cheeks during this attack of herbrother's. His injurious and false accusations roused her indignation tothe utmost, but one glance at his weary, suffering face showed herhow great was the pain he endured, and in her compassionate heartpity strove against righteous anger. The struggle was sharp, but pityprevailed; and, instead of punishing him by a sharp retort, she forcedherself to explain to him in a few gentle words what had happened, inorder to dispel the unworthy suspicion that must surely hurt him as muchas it did her. She felt convinced that the sufferer would be cheered byher words; but he made no attempt to show that he appreciated her kindlymoderation, nor to express any satisfaction. On the contrary, when hespoke it was in the same tone as before.

  "If that be the case," he said, "so much the better; but were itotherwise, it would have to be endured just the same. I can think ofnothing that could affect me now, and it is well. Only my body troublesme still. It weighs upon me like lead, and grows heavier with every wordI utter. Therefore, I pray you, leave me to myself!"

  But his sister would not obey. "No, Philip," she cried, eagerly, "thismay not be. Let your strong spirit arise and burst asunder the bondsthat fetter and cripple it."

  At this a groan of pain escaped the philosopher, and, turning again tothe girl, he answered, with a mournful smile:

  "Bid the cushion in that arm-chair do so. It will succeed better thanI!" Then crying out impatiently and as loudly as he could, "Now go--youknow not how you torture me!" he turned away from her and buried hisface in the pillows.

  But Melissa, as if beside herself, laid her hands upon his shoulder,and, shaking him gently, exclaimed: "And even if it vexes you, I willnot be driven away thus. The misfortunes that have befallen you in thesedays will end by destroying you, if you will not pull yourself together.We must have patience, and it can only come about slowly, but you mustmake an effort. The least thing that pains you hurts us too, and you,in return, may not remain indifferent to what we feel. See, Philip, ourmother and Andrew taught us often not to think only of ourselves, but ofothers. We ask so little of you; but if you--"

  At this the philosopher shook himself free of her hand, and cried in avoice of anguish:

  "Away, I say! Leave me alone! One word more, and I die!" With thishe hid his head in the coverlet, and Melissa could see how his limbsquivered convulsively as if shaken by an ague.


  To see a being so dear to her thus utterly broken down cut her to theheart. Oh, that she could help him! If she did not succeed, or if henever found strength to rouse himself, he, too, would be one of Caesar'svictims. Corrupted and ruined lives marked the path of this terriblebeing, and, with a shudder, she asked herself when her turn would come.

  Her hair had become disordered, and as she smoothed it she looked in themirror, and could not but observe that in the simple but costly whiterobe of the dead Korinna she looked like a maiden of noble birth ratherthan the lowly daughter of an artist. She would have liked to tear itoff and replace it by another, but her one modest festival robe hadbeen left behind at the house of the lady Berenike. To appear in broaddaylight before the neighbors or to walk in the streets clad in thisfashion seemed to her impossible after her brother's unjust suspicion,and she bade Argutis fetch her a litter.

  When they parted, Dido could see distinctly that Philip had wounded her.And she could guess how, so she withheld any questions, that she mightnot hurt her. Over the fire, however, she stabbed fiercely into thefowl destined for the philosopher, but cooked it, nevertheless, with allpossible care.

  On the way to the Serapeum, Melissa's anxiety increased. Till now,eagerness for the fray, fear, hope, and the joyful consciousness ofright-doing, had alternated in her mind. Now, for the first time, shewas seized with a premonition of misfortune. Fate itself had turnedagainst her. Even should she succeed in escaping, she could not hope toregain her lost peace of mind.

  Philip's biting words had shown her what most of them must think ofher; and, though the ship should bear her far away, would it be right tobring Diodoros away from his old father to follow her? She must see herlover, and if possible tell him all. The rose, too, which the Christianhad given her for him, and which lay in her lap, she wished so muchto carry to him herself. She could not go alone to the chamber of theconvalescent, and the attendance of a slave counted for nothing inthe eyes of other people. It was even doubtful if a bondsman might beadmitted into the inner apartments of the sanctuary. However, she would,she must see Diodoros and speak to him; and thus planning ways and meansby which to accomplish this, looking forward joyfully to the meetingwith her father, and wondering how Agatha, the Christian, had receivedAlexander, she lost the feeling of deep depression which had weighed onher when she had left the house.

  The litter stopped, and Argutis helped her to descend. He wasbreathless, for it had been most difficult to open a way for her throughthe dense crowds that were already thronging to the Circus, where thegrand evening performance in honor of the emperor was to begin assoon as it was dark. Just as she was entering the house, she perceivedAndreas coming toward them along the street of Hermes, and she at oncebade the slave call him. He was soon at her side, and declared himselfwilling to accompany her to Diodoros.

  This time, however, she did not find her lover alone in the sick-room.Two physicians were with him, and she grew pale as she recognized in oneof them the emperor's Roman body-physician.

  But it was too late too escape detection; so she only hastened to herlover's side, whispered warm words of love in his ear, and, while shegave him the rose, conjured him ever and always to have faith in her andin her love, whatever reports he might hear.

  Diodoros was up and had fully recovered. His face lighted up with joyas he saw her; but, when she repeated the old, disquieting request, heanxiously begged to know what she meant by it. She assured him, however,that she had already delayed too long, and referred him to Andreas andthe lady Euryale, who would relate to him what had befallen her andspoiled every happy hour she had. Then, thinking herself unobserved bythose present, she breathed a kiss upon his lips. But he would not lether go, urging with passionate tenderness his rights as her betrothed,till she tore herself away from him and hurried from the room.

  As she left, she heard a ringing laugh, followed by loud, sprightlytalking. It was not her lover's voice, and endeavoring, while she waitedfor Andreas, to catch what was being said on the other side of the door,she distinctly heard the body-physician (for no other pronounced theGreek language in that curious, halting manner) exclaim, gayly: "ByCerberus, young man, you are to be envied! The beauty my sovereign lordis limping after flies unbidden into your arms!"

  Then came loud laughter as before, but this time interrupted byDiodoros's indignant question as to what this all meant. At lastMelissa heard Andreas's deep voice promising the young man to tell himeverything later on; and when the convalescent impatiently asked foran immediate explanation, the Christian exhorted him to be calm,and finally requested the physician to grant him a few moments'conversation.

  Then there was quiet for a time in the room, only broken by Diodoros'sangry questions and the pacifying exclamations of the freedman. She feltas if she must return to her lover and tell him herself what she hadbeen forced to do in these last days, but maidenly shyness restrainedher, till at last Andreas came out. The freedman's honest face expressedthe deepest solicitude, and his voice sounded rough and hasty as heexclaimed, "You must fly--fly this day!"

  "And my father and brother, and Diodoros?" she asked, anxiously.

  But he answered, urgently: "Let them get away as they may. There isno hole or corner obscure enough to keep you hidden. Therefore takeadvantage of the ship that waits for you. Follow Argutis at once to thelady Berenike. I can not accompany you, for it lies with me to occupyfor the next few hours the attention of the body-physician, from whomyou have the most to fear. He has consented to go with me to my gardenacross the water. There I promised him a delicious, real Alexandrianfeast, and you know how gladly Polybius will seize the opportunity toshare it with him. No doubt, too, some golden means may be found to bindhis tongue; for woe to you if Caracalla discovers prematurely that youare promised to another, and woe then to your betrothed! After sundown,when every one here has gone to the Circus, I will take Diodoros to aplace of safety. Farewell, child, and may our heavenly Father defendyou!"

  He laid his right hand upon her head as if in blessing; but Melissacried, wringing her hands: "Oh, let me go to him once more! How canI leave him and go far away without one word of farewell or offorgiveness?"

  But Andreas interrupted her, saying: "You can not. His life is at stakeas well as your own. I shall make it my business to look after hissafety. The wife of Seleukus will assist you in your flight."

  "And you will persuade him to trust me?" urged Melissa, clingingconvulsively to his arm.

  "I will try," answered the freedman, gloomily. Melissa, dropped his arm,for loud, manly voices were approaching down the stairs near which theystood.

  It was Heron and Alexander, returning from their audience with theemperor. Instantly the Christian went to meet them, and dismissed thetemple servant who accompanied them.

  In the half-darkness of the corridor, Melissa threw herself weeping intoher father's arms. But he stroked her hair lovingly, and kissed hermore tenderly on brow and eyes than he had ever clone before, whisperinggayly to her: "Dry your tears, my darling. You have been a brave maiden,and now comes your reward. Fear and sorrow will now be changed intohappiness and power, and all the glories of the world. I have not eventold Alexander yet what promises to make our fortunes, for I know myduty." Then, raising his voice, he said to the freedman, "If I havebeen rightly informed, we shall find the son of Polybius in one of theapartments close at hand."

  "Quite right," answered the freedman, gravely, and then went on toexplain to the gem-cutter that he could not see Diodoros just now, butmust instantly leave the country with his son and daughter on Berenike'sship. Not a moment was to be lost. Melissa would tell him all on theway.

  But Heron laughed scornfully: "That would be a pretty business! We haveplenty of time, and, with the greatness that lies before us, everythingmust be done openly and in the right way. My first thought, you see, wasto come here, for I had promised the girl to Diodoros, and he must beinformed before I can consent to her betrothal to another."

  "Father!" cried Melissa, scarcely able to command
her voice. But Herontook no notice of her, and continued, composedly: "Diodoros would havebeen dear to me as a son-in-law. I shall certainly tell him so. But whenCaesar, the ruler of the world, condescends to ask a plain man forhis daughter, every other consideration must naturally be put aside.Diodoros is sensible, and is sure to see it in the right light. We allknow how Caesar treats those who are in his way; but I wish the sonof Polybius no ill, so I forbore to betray to Caesar what tie had oncebound you, my child, to the gallant youth."

  Heron had never liked the freedman. The man's firm character had alwaysgone against the gemcutter's surly, capricious nature; and it was nolittle satisfaction to him to let him feel his superiority, and boastbefore him of the apparent good luck that had befallen the artist'sfamily.

  But Andreas had already heard from the physician that Caracallahad informed his mother's envoys of his intended marriage with anAlexandrian, the daughter of an artist of Macedonian extraction. Thiscould only refer to Melissa, and it was this news which had caused himto urge the maiden to instant flight.

  Pale, incapable of uttering a word, Melissa stood before her father; butthe freedman grasped her hand, looked Heron reproachfully in the face,and asked, quietly, "And you would really have the heart to join thisdear child's life to that of a bloody tyrant?"

  "Certainly I have," returned Heron with decision, and he drew hisdaughter's hand out of that of Andreas, who turned his back upon theartist with a meaning shrug of the shoulders. But Melissa ran after him,and, clinging to him, cried as she turned first to him and then to herfather:

  "I am promised to Diodoros, and shall hold fast to him and my love; tellhim that, Andreas! Come what may, I will be his and his alone! Caesar--"

  "Swear not!" broke in Heron, angrily, "for by great Serapis--"

  But Alexander interposed between them, and begged his father to considerwhat he was asking of the girl. Caesar's proposals could scarcelyhave been very pleasing to him, or why had he concealed till now whatCaracalla was whispering to him in the adjoining room? He might imaginefor himself what fate awaited the helpless child at the side of ahusband at whose name even men trembled. He should remember her mother,and what she would have said to such a union. There was little, time toescape from this terrible wooer.

  Then Melissa turned to her brother and begged him earnestly: "Then youtake me to the ship Alexander; take charge of me yourself!"

  "And I?" asked Heron, his eye cast gloomily on the ground.

  "You must come with us!" implored the girl, clasping her hands.--"OAndreas! say something! Tell him what I have to expect!"

  "He knows that without my telling him," replied the freedman. "I must gonow, for two lives are at stake, Heron. If I can not keep the physicianaway from Caesar, your daughter, too, will be in danger. If you desireto see your daughter forever in fear of death, give her in marriage toCaracalla. If you have her happiness at heart, then escape with her intoa far country."

  He nodded to the brother and sister, and returned to the sick-room.

  "Fly!--escape!" repeated the old man, and he waived his hand angrily."This Andreas--the freedman, the Christian--always in extremes. Why runone's head against the wall? First consider, then act; that was what shetaught us whose sacred memory you have but now invoked, Alexander."

  With this he walked out of the half-dark corridor into the opencourt-yard, in front of his children. Here he looked at his daughter,who was breathing fast, and evidently prepared to resist to the last.And as he beheld her in Korinna's white and costly robes, like a noblepriestess, it occurred to him that even before his captivity she hadceased to be the humble, unquestioning instrument of his capricioustemper. Into what a haughty beauty the quiet embroideress had beentransformed!

  By all the gods! Caracalla had no cause to be ashamed of such anempress.

  And, unaccustomed as he was to keep back anything whatever from hischildren, he began to express these sentiments. But he did not get far,for the hour for the morning meal being just over, the court-yard beganto fill from all sides with officials and servants of the temple.So, father and son silently followed the maiden through the crowdedgalleries and apartments, into the house of the highpriest.

  Here they were received by Philostratus, who hardly gave Melissa time togreet the lady Euryale before he informed her, but with unwonted hurryand excitement, that the emperor was awaiting her with impatience.

  The philosopher motioned to her to follow him, but she clung, asif seeking help, to her brother, and cried: "I will not go again toCaracalla! You are the kindest and best of them all, Philostratus, andyou will understand me. Evil will come of it if I follow you--I can notgo again to Caesar."

  But it was impossible for the courtier to yield to her, in the faceof his monarch's direct commands; therefore, hard as it was to him, hesaid, resolutely: "I well understand what holds you back; still, if youwould not ruin yourself and your family, you must submit. Besideswhich, you know not what Caesar is about to offer you-fortunate, unhappychild!"

  "I know--oh, I know it!" sobbed Melissa; "but it is just that... I haveserved the emperor willingly, but before I consent become the wife ofsuch a monster--"

  "She is right," broke in Euryale, and drew Melissa toward her. But thephilosopher took the girl's hand and said, kindly:--"You must comewith me now, my child, and pretend that you know nothing of Caesar'sintentions toward you. It is the only way to save you. But while you arewith the emperor, who, in any case, can devote but a short time to youto-day, I will return here and consult with your people. There is muchto be decided, of the greatest moment, and not to you alone." Melissaturned with tearful eyes to Euryale, and questioned her with a look;whereupon the lady drew the girl's hand out of that of the philosopher,and saying to him, "She shall be with you directly," took her away toher own apartment.

  Here she begged Melissa to dry her eyes, and arranging the girl's hairand robe with her own hands, she promised to do all in her power tofacilitate her flight. She must do her part now by going into Caesar'spresence as frankly as she had done yesterday and the day before. Shemight be quite easy; her interests were being faithfully watched over.

  Taking a short leave of her father, who was looking very sulky becausenobody seemed to care for his opinion, and of Alexander, who lovinglypromised her his help, she took the philosopher's hand and walkedwith him through one crowded apartment after another. They often haddifficulty in pressing through the throng of people who were waiting foran audience, and in the antechamber, where the Aurelians had had to payso bitterly for their insolence yesterday, they were detained by theblonde and red-Haired giants of the Uermanian body-guard, whose leader,Sabinus, a Thracian of exceptional height and strength, was acquaintedwith the philosopher.

  Caracalla had given orders that no one was to be admitted till thenegotiations with the Parthian ambassadors, which had begun an hour ago,were brought to a conclusion. Philostratus well knew that the emperorwould interrupt the most important business if Melissa were announced,but there was much that he would have the maiden lay to heart beforehe led her to the monarch; while she wished for nothing so earnestly asthat the door which separated her from her terrible wooer might remainclosed to the end of time. When the chamberlain Adventus looked out fromthe imperial apartments, she begged him to give her a little time beforeannouncing her.

  The old man blinked consent with his dim eyes, but the philosopher tookcare that Melissa should not be left to herself and the terrors ofher heart. He employed all the eloquence at his command to make hercomprehend what it meant to be an empress and the consort of the rulerof the world. In flaming colors he painted to her the good she might doin such a position, and the tears she might wipe away. Then he remindedher of the healing and soothing influence she had over Caracalla, andthat this influence came doubtless from the gods, since it passed thebounds of nature and acted so beneficently. No one might reject such agift from the immortals merely to gratify an ordinary passion. The youthwhose love she must give up would be able to comfort himself with thetho
ught that many others had had much worse to bear, and he would findno difficulty in getting a substitute, though not so beautiful a one.On the other hand, she was the only one among millions whose heart,obedient to a heaven-sent impulse, had turned in pity toward Caracalla.If she fled, she would deprive the emperor of the only being on whoselove he felt he had some claim. If she listened to the wooing of hernoble lover, she would be able to tame this ungovernable being andsoothe his fury, and would gain in return for a sacrifice such as manyhad made before her, the blissful consciousness of having rendered aninestimable service to the whole world. For by her means and her love,the imperial tyrant would be transformed into a beneficent ruler. Theblessing of the thousands whom she could protect and save would make thehardest task sweet and endurable.

  Here Philostratus paused, and gazed inquiringly at her; but she onlyshook her head gently, and answered:

  "My brain is so confused that I can scarcely hear even, but I feelthat your words are well meant and wise. What you put before me wouldcertainly be worth considering if there were anything left for me toconsider about. I have promised myself to another, who is more to methan all the world--more than the gratitude and blessings of endangeredlives of which I know nothing. I am but a poor girl who only asks to behappy. Neither gods nor men expect more of me than that I should do myduty toward those whom I love. And, then, who can say for certain thatI should succeed in persuading Caesar to carry out my desires, whateverthey might be?"

  "We were witnesses of the power you exercised over him," replied thephilosopher; but Melissa shook her head, and continued eagerly: "No, no!he only values in me the hand that eases his pain and want of sleep. Thelove which he may feel for me makes him neither gentler nor better. Onlyan hour or two before he declared that his heart was inclined to me, hehad Titianus murdered!"

  "One word from you," the philosopher assured her, "and it would neverhave happened. As empress, they will obey you as much as him. Truly,child, it is no small thing to sit, like the gods, far above the rest ofmankind."

  "No, no!" cried Melissa, shuddering. "Those heights! Only to think ofthem makes everything spin round me. Only one who is free from suchgiddiness dare to occupy such a place. Every one must desire to do whathe can do best. I could be a good housewife to Diodoros, but I shouldbe a bad empress. I was not born to greatness. And, besides--what ishappiness? I only felt happy when I did what was my duty, in peace andquiet. Were I empress, fear would never leave me for a moment. Oh. Iknow enough of the hideous terror which this awful being creates aroundhim; and before I would consent to let it torture me to death by day andby night-morning, noon, and evening--far rather would I die this veryday. Therefore, I have no choice. I must flee from Caesar's sight--awayhence--far, far, away!"

  Tears nearly choked her voice, but she struggled bravely against them.Philostratus, however, did not fail to observe it, and gazed, firstmournfully into her face and then thoughtfully on the ground. At lengthhe spoke with a slight sigh:

  "We gather experience in life, and yet, however old we may be, we actcontrary to it. Now I have to pay for it. And yet it still lies in yourhands to make me bless the day on which I spoke on your behalf. Couldyou but succeed in rising to real greatness of soul, girl--through you,I swear it, the subjects of this mighty kingdom would be saved fromgreat tribulations!"

  "But, my lord," Melissa broke in, "who would ask such lofty things ofa lowly maiden? My mother taught me to be kind and helpful to others inthe house, to my friends, and fellow-citizens; my own heart tells me tobe faithful to my betrothed. But I care not greatly for the Romans, andwhat to me are Gauls, Dacians, or whatever else these barbarians may becalled?"

  "And yet," said Philostratus, "you offered a sacrifice for the foreigntyrant."

  "Because his pain excited my compassion," rejoined Melissa, blushing.

  "And would you have done the same for any masterless black slave,covered with pitiably deep wounds?" asked the philosopher.

  "No," she answered, quickly; "him I would have helped with my ownhand. When I can do without their aid, I do not appeal to the gods.And then--I said before, his trouble seemed doubly great because itcontrasted so sharply with all the splendor and joy that surroundedhim."

  "Aye," said the philosopher, earnestly, "and a small thing that affectsthe ruler recoils tenfold--a thousand-fold-on his subjects. Look at onetree through a cut glass with many facets, and it be comes a forest.Thus the merest trifle, when it affects the emperor, becomes importantfor the millions over whom he rules. Caracalla's vexation entails evilon thousands--his anger is death and ruin. I fear me, girl, your flightwill bring down heavy misfortune on those who surround Caesar, and firstof all upon the Alexandrians, to whom you belong, and against whom healready bears a grudge. You once said your native city was dear to you."

  "So it is," returned Melissa, who, at his last words had grown firstred and then pale; "but Caesar can not surely be so narrow-minded as topunish a whole great city for what the poor daughter of a gem-cutter hasdone."

  "You are thinking of my Achilles," answered the philosopher. "But I onlytransferred what I saw of good in Caracalla to the figure of my hero.Besides, you know that Caesar is not himself when he is in wrath. Hasnot experience taught me that no reasons are strong enough to convince aloving woman's heart? Once more I entreat you, stay here! Reject not thesplendid gift which the gods offer you, that trouble may not come uponyour city as it did on hapless Troy, all for a woman's sake.

  "What says the proverb? 'Zeus hearkens not to lovers' vows'; but I saythat to renounce love in order to make others happy, is greater andharder than to hold fast to it when it is menaced."

  These words reminded her of many a lesson of Andreas, and went to herheart. In her mind's eye she saw Caracalla, after hearing of her flight,set his lions on Philostratus, and then, foaming with rage, give ordersto drag her father and brothers, Polybius and his son, to the place ofexecution, like Titianus. And Philostratus perceived what was going onin her mind, and with the exhortation, "Remember how many persons' wealor woe lies in your hands!" he rose and began a conversation with theThracian commander of the Germanic guard.

  Melissa remained alone upon the divan. The picture changed before her,and she saw herself in costly purple raiment, glittering with jewels,and seated by the emperor's side in a golden chariot. A thousand voicesshouted to her, and beside her stood a horn of plenty, running over withgolden solidi and crimson roses, and it never grew empty, however muchshe took from it. Her heart was moved; and when, in the crowd which herlively imagination had conjured up before her, she caught sight ofthe wife of the blacksmith Herophilus, who had been thrown into prisonthrough an accusation from Zminis, she turned to Caracalla whom shestill imagined seated beside her, and cried, "Pardon!" and Caracallanodded a gracious consent, and the next moment Herophilus's wife lay onher liberated husband's breast, while the broken fetters still clankedupon his wrists. Their children were there, too, and stretched up theirarms to their parents, offering their happy lips first to them and thento Melissa.

  How beautiful it all was, and how it cheered her compassionate heart!

  And this, said the newly awakened, meditative spirit within her, needbe no dream; no, it lay in her power to impart this happiness to herselfand many others, day by day, until the end.

  Then she felt that she must arise and cry to her friend, "I will followyour counsel and remain!" But her imagination had already begun to workagain, and showed her the widow of Titianus, as she entreated Caesar tospare her noble, innocent husband, while he mercilessly repulsed her.And it flashed through her mind that her petitions might share the samefate, when at that moment the emperor's threatening voice sounded fromthe adjoining room.

  How hateful its strident tones were to her ear! She dropped her eyes andcaught sight of a dark stain on the snow-white plumage of the doves inthe mosaic pavement at her feet.

  That was a last trace of the blood of the young tribune, which theattendants had been unable to remove. And this indelible mark of thec
rime which she had witnessed brought the image of the wounded Aureliusbefore her: just as he now lay, shaken with fever, so had she seen herlover a few days before. His pale face rose before her inward sight;would it not be to him a worse blow than that from the stone, when heshould learn that she had broken her faith to him in order to gain powerand greatness, and to protect others, who were strangers to her, fromthe fury of the tyrant?

  His heart had been hers from childhood's hour, and it would bleed andbreak if she were false to the vows in which he placed his faith. Andeven if he succeeded at last in recovering from the wound she must dealhim, his peace and happiness would be destroyed for many a long day. Howcould she have doubted for a moment where her real duty lay?

  If she followed Philostratus's advice--if she acceded to Caracalla'swishes--Diodoros would have every right to condemn and curse her. Andcould she then feel so entirely blameless? A voice within her instantlysaid no; for there had been moments in which her pity had grown sostrong that she felt more warmly toward the sick Caesar than wasjustifiable. She could not deny it, for she could not without ablush have described to her lover what she felt when that mysterious,inexplicable power had drawn her to the emperor.

  And now the conviction rapidly grew strong in her that she must not onlypreserve her lover from further trouble, but strive to make good to himher past errors. The idea of renouncing her love in order to intercedefor others, most likely in vain, and lighten their lot by sacrificingherself for strangers, while rendering her own and her lover's lifemiserable, now seemed to her unnatural, criminal, impossible; and with asigh of relief she remembered her promise to Andreas. Now she could oncemore look freely into the grave and earnest face of him who had everguided her in the right way.

  This alone was right--this she would do!

  But after the first quick step toward Philostratus, she stood still,once more hesitating. The saying about the fulfilling of the timerecurred to her as she thought of the Christian, and she said to herselfthat the critical moment which comes in every life was before her now.The weal or woe of her whole future depended on the answer she shouldgive to Philostratus. The thought struck terror to her heart, but onlyfor a moment. Then she drew herself up proudly, and, as she approachedher friend, felt with joy that she had chosen the better part; yea, thatit would cost her but little to lay down her life for it.

  Though apparently absorbed in his conversation with the Thracian,Philostratus had not ceased to observe the girl, and his knowledge ofhuman nature showed him quickly to what decision she had come. Firmlypersuaded that he had won her over to Caracalla's side, he had left herto her own reflections. He was certain that the seed he had sown inher mind would take root; she could now clearly picture to herself whatpleasures she would enjoy as empress, and from what she could preserveothers. For she was shrewd and capable of reasoning, and above all--andfrom this he hoped the most--she was but a woman. But just because shewas a woman he could not be surprised at her disappointing him in hisexpectations. For the sake of Caracalla and those who surrounded him hewould have wished it to be otherwise; but he had become too fond of her,and had too good a heart, not to be distressed at the thought of seeingher fettered to the unbridled young tyrant.

  Before she could address him, he took his leave of the Thracian. Then,as he led her back to the divan, he whispered: "Well, I have gained onemore experience. The next time I leave a woman to come to a decision,I shall anticipate from the first that she will come to an oppositeconclusion to that which, as a philosopher and logical thinker, I shouldexpect of her. You are determined to keep faith with your betrothed andstab the heart of this highest of all wooers--after death he will beranked among the gods--for such will be the effect of your flight."

  Melissa nodded gayly, and rejoined, "The blunt weapon that I carry wouldsurely not cost Caesar his life, even if he were no future immortal."

  "Scarcely," answered Philostratus; "but what he may suffer throughyou will drive him to turn his own all-too-sharp sword against others.Caracalla being a man, my calculations regarding him have generallyproved right. You will see how firmly I believe in them in this case,when I tell you that I have already taken advantage of a letter broughtby the messengers of the empress-mother to take my leave of the emperor.For, I reasoned, if Melissa listens to the emperor, she will need noother confederate than the boy Eros; if, however, she takes flight--thenwoe betide those who are within range of the tyrant's arm, and ten timeswoe to me who brought the fugitive before his notice! Early to-morrow,before Caracalla leaves his couch, I shall return with the messengers toJulia; my place in the ship--"

  "O my lord," interrupted Melissa, in consternation, "if you, my kindprotector, forsake me, to whom shall I look for help?"

  "You will not require it if you carry out your intentions," said thephilosopher. "Throughout this day you will doubtless need me; and let meimpress upon you once more to behave before Caracalla in such a mannerthat even his suspicious mind may not guess what you intend to do.To-day you will still find me ready to help you. But, hark! That isCaesar raging again. It is thus he loves to dismiss ambassadors, whenhe wishes they should clearly understand that their conditions are notagreeable to him. And one word more: When a man has grown gray, it isdoubly soothing to his heart that a lovely maiden should so franklyregret the parting. I was ever a friend of your amiable sex, and even tothis day Eros is sometimes not unfavorably inclined to me. But you, themore charming you are, the more deeply do I regret that I may not bemore to you than an old and friendly mentor. But pity at first kept lovefrom speaking, and then the old truth that every woman's heart may bewon save that which already belongs to another."

  The elderly admirer of the fair sex spoke these words in such apleasant, regretful tone that Melissa gave him an affectionate glancefrom her large, bright eyes, and answered, archly: "Had Eros shownPhilostratus the way to Melissa instead of Diodoros, Philostratus mightnow be occupying the place in this heart which belongs to the son ofPolybius, and which must always be his in spite of Caesar!"