The conversation between Iras and Alexas, which had been overheard by
the maid, already made it appear necessary to withdraw Barine and her
lover from the power of such foes. The faithful man whom Anukis had
found with Dion, whose name she did not mention and of whose home she
said only that no safer hiding-place could be found, even by the mole
which burrowed in the earth, really seemed to have been sent with
Gorgias to Dion's couch by Fate itself. The control of the subterranean
chambers in the Temple of Isis which had been bestowed on the architect,
also appeared like a miracle.

Upon a small tablet, which the wise Aisopion had intentionally delayed
handing to her mistress until now, were the lines: "Archibius greets his
sister Charmian. If I know your heart, it will be as hard for you as for
me to share this plot, yet it must be done for the sake of her father,
to save the life and happiness of his child. So it must fall to your lot
to bring Barine to the Temple of Isis at the Corner of the Muses. She
will find her lover there and, if possible, be wedded to him. As the
sanctuary is so near, you need leave the palace only a short time. Do
not tell Barine what we have planned. The disappointment would be too
great if it should prove impracticable."

This letter and the arrangement it proposed transformed the serious
scruples which shadowed Charmian's good-will into a joyous, nay,
enthusiastic desire to render assistance. Barine's marriage to the man
who possessed her heart was close at hand, and she was the daughter of
Leonax, who had once been dear to her. Fear and doubt vanished as if
scattered to the four winds, and when Aisopion's work of transformation
was completed and Barine stood before her as the high-shouldered,
dark-visaged, wrinkled maid, she could not help admitting that it would
be easy to escape from the palace in that disguise.

She now told Barine that she intended to accompany her herself; and
though the former's stained face forced her to refrain from kissing her
friend, she plainly expressed to her and the faithful freedwoman the
overflowing gratitude which filled her heart.

Anukis was left alone. After carefully removing all the traces of her
occupation, as habit dictated, she raised her arms in prayer, beseeching
the gods of her native land to protect the beautiful woman to whom
she had loaned her own misshapen form, which had now been of genuine
service, and who had gone forth to meet so