.. And as for Paula! As for Heliodora! For once her little
hand had wrenched the thunderbolts from Zeus' eagle, and she would find
one for them!

The sense of her terrible power, to which more than one victim had
already fallen, intoxicated her. She would drive Orion--Orion who had
betrayed her--into utter ruin and misery; she would see him a beggar at
her feet!--And this it was that gave her courage to do her worst; this,
and this alone. What she would do then, she herself knew not; that lay
as yet in the womb of the Future. She might take a fancy to do something
kind, compassionate, and tender.

By the time she went into the house again her fears and depression had
vanished; revived energy possessed her soul, and the little eavesdropper
and tale-bearer had become in this short hour a purposeful and terrible
woman, ready for any crime.

"Poor little lamb!" thought Philippus, as he went into Rufinus' garden.
"That miserable man may have brought pangs enough to her little heart!"

His old friend's garden-plot was deserted. Under the sycamore, however,
he perceived the figures of a very tall young man and a pretty woman,
delicate, fair-haired, and rather pale. The big young fellow was holding
a skein of wool on his huge, outstretched hands; the girl was winding
it on to a ball. These were Rustem the Masdakite and Mandane, both now
recovered from their injuries; the girl, indeed, had been restored to
the new life of a calm and understanding mind. Philippus had watched
over this wonderful resuscitation with intense interest and care. He
ascribed it, in the first instance, to the great loss of blood from the
wound in her head; and secondly, to the fresh air and perfect nursing
she had had. All that was now needful was to protect her against
agitation and violent emotions. In the Masdakite she had found a friend
and a submissive adorer; and Philippus could rejoice as he looked at the
couple, for his skill had indeed brought him nothing but credit.

His greeting to them was cheery and hearty, and in answer to his
enquiry: "How are you getting on?" Rustem replied, "As lively as a fish
in water," adding, as he pointed to Mandane, "and I can say the same for
my fellow-countrywoman."

"You are agreed then?" said the leech, and she nodded eager assent.

At this Philippus shook his finger at the man, exclaiming: "Do not get
too tightly entangled here, my friend. Who knows how soon Haschim may
call you away."

Then, turning