y.. But he would not be moved, and, before the
sun goes down upon this day, the old man and the young one--the chiefest
among the nobles of Rome--will be no more. And it is Caracalla's love
for you, child, that sheds this blood. Ask yourself after this how many
lives will be sacrificed when your flight causes hatred and fury to
reign supreme in the soul of the cheated monarch!"

With quickened breath Euryale had listened to the philosopher, without
regarding the girl; but scarcely had Philostratus uttered his last words
than Melissa ran to her, and, clasping her hands passionately on the
matron's arm, she cried, "Ought I to obey you, Euryale, and the terrors
of my own heart, and flee?"

Then releasing the lady, she turned again to the philosopher, and burst
out: "Or are you in the right, Philostratus? Must I stay, to prevent the
misery that threatens to overtake others?"

Beside herself, torn by the storm that raged in her soul, she clasped
her hands upon her brow and continued, wildly: "You are both of you
so wise, and surely wish the best. How can you give me such opposite
advice? And my own heart?--why have the gods struck it dumb? Time was
when it spoke loudly enough if ever I was in doubt. One thing I know
for certain: if by the sacrifice of my life I could undo it all, I would
joyfully cast myself before the lions and panthers, like the Christian
maiden whom my mother saw smiling radiantly as she was led into the
arena. Splendor and power are as hateful to me as the flowers yonder
with their false dew. I was ever taught to close my ear to the voice
of selfishness. If I have any wish for myself, it is that I may keep my
faith with him to whom it was promised. But for love of my father, and
if I could be certain of saving many from death and misery, I would
stay, though I should despise myself and be separated forever from my
beloved!"

"Submit to the inevitable," interposed the philosopher, with eager
entreaty. "The immortal gods will reward you with the blessings
of hundreds whom a word from you will have saved from ruin and
destruction."

"And what say you?" asked the maiden, gazing with anxious expectancy
into the matron's face. "Follow your own heart!" replied the lady,
deeply moved.

Melissa had hearkened to both counselors with eager ear, and both hung
anxiously on her lips, while, as if taken out of herself, she gazed with
panting bosom into the empty air. They had not long to wait. Suddenly
the maid