--Ino, who had trusted in his love;
and to whom, of all others, he had given cause to accuse him of
false-heartedness. An unpleasant sense came over him of dissatisfaction
with himself, such as he, who always regarded self-accusation,
repentance, and atonement as a foolish waste of life, had never before
experienced.

The fine, sunny autumn day had turned to a sultry, dull evening, and
Alexander went to the window to let the sea-breeze fan his dewy brow;
but he soon heard voices behind him, for Euryale and Melissa had
re-entered the room, followed by the house-steward, who presented to
his mistress a sealed tablet which a slave had just brought from
Philostratus. The women had been talking of Melissa's vow; and Euryale
had promised her that, if Fate should decide against Caesar, she would
convey the girl to a place of safety, where she could certainly not be
discovered, and might look forward in peace to the future. Then she had
impressed on her that, if things should be otherwise ordered, she must
endure even the unendurable with patience, as an obedient wife, as
empress, but still ever conscious of the solemn and beneficent power she
might wield in her new position.

The tablets would now settle the question; and side by side the two
women hastily read the missive which Philostratus had written on the
wax, in his fine, legible hand. It was as follows:

"The condemned have ceased to live. Your efforts had no effect but to
hasten their end. Caesar's desire was to rid you of adversaries even
against your will. Vindex and his nephew are no more; but I embarked
soon enough to escape the rage of him who might have attained the
highest favors of fortune if he had but known how to be merciful."

"God be praised!--but alas, poor Vindex!" cried Euryale, as she laid
down the tablets. But Melissa kissed her, and then exclaimed to her
brother:

"Now all doubts are at an end. I may fly. He himself has settled the
matter!"

Then she added, more gently, but still urgently "Do you take care of my
father, and Philip, and of yourself. The lady Euryale will protect me.
Oh, how thankful am I!"

She looked up to heaven with fervent devotion Euryale whispered to them:
"My plan is laid. As soon as the performance is over, Alexander shall
take you home, child, to your father's house; you must go in one of
Caesar's chariots. Afterward come back here with your brother; I will
wait for you below. But now we will go together to the Circu