ds, not at this time! For this hour, this night is among
its fellows what a hallowed temple is among other buildings--what the
fervent sun is among the other lights of heaven. You know not how I
feel, nay, I hardly know myself. Not now, not now, one lightly-spoken
word!"

Verus gazed at Sabina with growing astonishment. She had always been
kinder to him than to any one else in the world and he felt bound to her
by all the ties of gratitude and the sweet memories of childhood. Even
as a boy, out of all his playfellows he was the only one who, far from
fearing her had clung to her. But to-night! who had ever seen Sabina in
such a mood? Was this the harsh bitter woman whose heart seemed filled
with gall, whose tongue cut like a dagger every one against whom she
used it? Was this Sabina who no doubt was kindly disposed towards him
but who loved no one else, not even herself? Did he see rightly, or was
he under some delusion? Tears, genuine, honest, unaffected tears filled
her eyes as she went on:

"Here I he, a poor sickly woman, sensitive in body and in soul as if
I were covered with wounds. Every movement, and even the gaze and the
voice of most of my fellow-creatures is a pain to me. I am old, much
older than you think and so wretched, so wretched, none of you can
imagine how wretched. I was never happy as a child, never as a girl,
and as a wife--merciful gods!--every kind word that Hadrian has ever
vouchsafed me I have paid for with a thousand humiliations."

"He always treats you with the utmost esteem," interrupted Verus.

"Before you, before the world! But what do I care for esteem! I may
demand the respect, the adoration of millions and it will be mine. Love,
love, a little unselfish love is what I ask--and if only I were sure, if
only I dared to hope that you give me such love, I would thank you
with all that I have, then this hour would be hallowed to me above all
others."

"How can you doubt me Mother? My dearly beloved Mother!"

"That is comfort, that is happiness!" answered Sabina. "Your voice is
never too loud for me, and I believe you, I dare trust you. This hour
makes you my son, makes me your mother."

Tender emotion, the emotion that softens the heart, thrilled through
Sabina's dried-up nature and sparkled in her eyes. She felt like a young
wife of whom a child is born, and the voice of her heart sings to her in
soothing tones: "It lives, it is mine, I am the providence of a living
soul, I am a mot