ssors. These the girl seized, and
with quick, remorseless hand cut off the long, thick locks that were her
brother's and her lover's delight. Then she chose out a chiton, which,
reaching only to her knees, gave her the appearance of a boy. Her breath
came fast and her hands trembled, but she was already on her way to the
secret door through which she should flee from this place of horror,
when she came to a standstill, shaking her head gently. She had looked
around her, and the wild disorder she was leaving behind her in the
little room went against her womanly feelings. But though this feeling
would not in itself have kept her back, it warned her to steady her mind
before leaving the refuge her friend had accorded to her. Thoughtful,
and accustomed to have regard for others, she realized at once how
dangerous it might prove to Euryale if these unmistakable traces of her
presence there should be discovered by an enemy. The kindness of her
motherly friend should not bring misfortune upon her. With active
presence of mind she gathered up her garments from the floor, swept the
long locks of hair together, and threw them all, with the sewing and the
basket that had contained the food, into the stove on the hearth, and
set them alight. The scissors she took with her as a weapon in case of
need.

Then, laying the books of the gospels beside the other manuscripts,
and casting a last look round to assure herself that every sign of her
presence had been destroyed, she addressed one more prayer to the tender
Comforter of the afflicted, who has promised to save those that are in
danger.

She then opened the secret door.

With a beating heart, and yet far more conscious of the desire to save
her lover while there was yet time than of the danger into which she was
rushing headlong, she flitted down the hidden staircase as lightly as a
child at play. So much time had been lost in clearing the room--and yet
she could not have left it so!

She had not forgotten where to press, so that the heavy stone which
closed the entrance should move aside; but as she sprang from the last
step her lamp had blown out, and blackest darkness concealed the surface
of the smooth granite wall which lay between her and the street.

What if, when she got outside, she should be seen by the lictors or
spies?

At this thought fear overcame her for the first time. As she felt about
the door her hands trembled and beads of perspiration stood upon her
br