, notwithstanding his
errors in the search after truth, well worthy of pity. At this, Melissa
in great alarm begged to be told what had happened to her brother, and
the lady Euryale confessed that he no longer walked among the living, but
she did not relate the manner of his death; and she bade the weeping girl
to seek for comfort from the Friend of all who grieve and whom she now
knew; but to keep herself prepared for the worst, in full assurance that
none are tried beyond what they are able to bear, for that the fury of
the bloodthirsty tyrant hung like a black cloud over Alexandria and its
inhabitants. She herself, merely by coming to Melissa, exposed herself to
great danger, and she could not see her again till the morrow. To
Melissa's inquiry as to whether it was her refusal to be his which had
brought such a fearful fate on the innocent youth of Alexandria, Euryale
could reply in the negative; for she had heard from her husband that it
was a foul epigram written by a pupil of the Museum which had led to
Caesar's outbreak of rage.

With a few soothing words she pointed to a basket of food which she had
brought with her, showed the girl once more the secret door, and embraced
her at parting as fondly as though Heaven had restored to her in Melissa
the daughter she had lost.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Melissa was once more alone.

She now knew that Philip walked no longer among the living. He must have
fallen a victim to the fury of the monster, but the thought that he might
have been slain for her sake left her mind no peace.

She felt that with the death of this youth--so gifted, and so dear to
her--a corner-stone had been torn from the paternal house.

In the loving circle that surrounded her, death had made another gap
which yawned before her, dismal and void.

One storm more, and what was left standing would fall with the rest.

Her tears flowed fast, and the torturing thought that the emperor had
slain her brother as a punishment for his sister's flight pierced her to
the heart.

Now she belonged indeed to the afflicted and oppressed; and as yesterday,
in the trouble of her soul, she had called upon Jesus Christ, though she
scarcely knew of Him then, so now she lifted up her heart to Him who had
become her friend, praying to Him to remember His promise of comfort when
she came to Him weary and heavy-laden.

And while she tried to realize the nature of the Saviour who had laid
down His life for others,