lus valued the opinion of the
honest, skilful, but extremely practical and unimaginative man, who
could not create independently even the smallest detail.

So it was impossible to determine at present whether Chello had seen
the finished statues or not, yet Hermon desired the former with actual
fervour, that he might have positive certainty.

While reflecting over these matters, the image of the lean Egyptian
goldsmith, with his narrow, brown, smooth-shaven face and skull,
prominent cheek bones, receding brow, projecting ears and, with all
its keenness, lustreless glance, rose before him as if he could see
his bodily presence. Not a single word unconnected with his trade,
the weather, or an accident, had ever reached the friends' ears from
Chello's thick lips, and this circumstance seemed to warrant Hermon in
the expectation of learning from him the pure, unadulterated truth.

Rarely had a messenger of love been awaited with such feverish suspense
as the slave whom Gras had despatched to Tanis to induce the goldsmith
to return home. He might come soon after nightfall, and Hermon used the
interval to ask the Bithynian the questions which he had long expected.

The replies afforded little additional information. He learned only that
Philippus had been summoned to Alexandria by the King, and that the Lady
Thyone and her husband had talked with the leech and assented to his
opinion that it would be better for Hermon to wait here until the burns
on his face were healed before returning to Alexandria.

For Daphne's sake this decision had undoubtedly been welcome to the
matron, and it pleased him also; for he still felt so ill physically,
and so agitated mentally, that he shrank from meeting his numerous
acquaintances in the capital.

The goldsmith! the goldsmith! It depended upon his decision whether he
would return to Alexandria at all.

Soon after Hermon had learned from Gras that the stars had risen, he
was informed that he must wait patiently for his interview with the
Egyptian, as he had been summoned to the capital that very day by a
messenger from Proclus.

Then the steward had fresh cause to marvel at his charge, for this news
aroused the most vehement excitement.

In fact, it afforded the prospect of a series--perhaps a long one--of
the most torturing days and nights. And the dreaded hours actually
came--nay, the anguish of uncertainty had become almost unendurable,
when, on the seventh day, the Egyptian at