exandrian
girl was empress; but it was from the women that I heard the most
vindictive and shameless abuse. I heard more than enough; for, as we
got closer to the Serapeum, the more slowly was the chariot obliged to
proceed, to make its way through the crowd. And the things I heard! I
clinch my fists now as I only think of them.--And what will it be in the
Circus? What will not Melissa have to endure!"

"It is envy," the matron murmured to herself; but she was immediately
silent, for the young girl came toward them, out of the bedroom. Her
toilet was complete; the beautiful white dress became her well. The
wreath of roses, with diamond dewdrops, lay lightly on her hair, the
snake-shaped bracelet which her imperial suitor had sent her clasped her
white arm, and her small head, somewhat bent, her pale, sweet face,
and large, bashful, inquiring, drooping eyes formed such an engaging,
modest, and unspeakably touching picture, that Euryale dared to hope
that even in the Circus none but hardened hearts could harbor a hostile
feeling against this gentle, pure blossom, slightly drooping with
silent sorrow. She could not resist the impulse to kiss Melissa, and
the half-formed purpose ripened within her to venture the utmost for the
child's protection. The pity in her heart had turned to love; and when
she saw that to this sweet creature, at the mere sight of whom her heart
went forth, the most splendid jewels, in which any other girl would have
been glad to deck herself, were as a heavy burden to be borne but sadly,
she felt it a sacred duty to comfort her and lighten this trial,
and shelter Melissa, so far as was in her power, from insult and
humiliation.

It was many years since she had visited the Amphitheater, where the
horrible butchery was an abomination to her; but to-day her heart bade
her conquer her old aversion, and accompany the girl to the Circus.

Had not Melissa taken the place in her heart of her lost daughter? Was
not she, Euryale, the only person who, by showing herself with Melissa
and declaring herself her friend, could give the people assurance that
the girl, who was exposed to misapprehension and odium by the favor she
had met with from the ruthless and hated sovereign, was in truth pure
and lovable? Under her guardianship, by her side, the girl, as she knew,
would be protected from misapprehension and insult; and she, an old
woman and a Christian, should she evade the first opportunity of taking
up a cr