and those who knew him before
departing for Athens, believed him dead. Nor could Cassandra, during these
four years, hear aught of her exiled lover. Her constancy and hope
whispered to her heart the fulfilment of the prediction of excellence, and
that destiny would yet unite them in holy ties by its mysterious web.

This hope and this constancy had thus far delayed her marriage with
Thearchus. Like Penelope, she framed reasons for repelling her suitor, and
daily looked for the return of her lord, wearing the bay of success. Her
father, wearied by procrastination, and ambitious for display, had
resolved to have the nuptials celebrated during the festival of the
Olympic games. His persuasions became commands, his arguments positive
orders, and his paternal government by the power of love a stern executor
of the behest of his ambition. The herald had already sounded the
proclamation, and all Athens greeted with joy the approaching nuptials of
the noble Thearchus and the lovely Cassandra.

Yet the stern ambition of Zeuxis was susceptible of tender impressions. He
adored his daughter, and her tears melted the ice of his heart. He knew
she loved the Ephesian, and the war of duty and ambition waxed warm as he
witnessed new proofs of her constancy and love.

"Come, come, Cassandra," said he caressingly, "these tears ill become the
daughter of the Athenian painter on the eve of her nuptials with one of
the noblest sons of Greece. Forget that childish passion that attaches
thee to Parrhasius, and thank the gods for his exile from Athens."

"Would you see your Cassandra happy?" asked the weeping maiden.

"I would, indeed," replied Zeuxis; "and it was for her happiness that I
spurned the Ephesian and favored the worthy Thearchus."

"But Thearchus has no place in my affections," replied Cassandra. "I love
him not; and to wed him is but to plunge me into deeper misery. What is
wealth--what nobility and the applause of the people, if the affections of
the heart have no participation therein? They are ministers of woe to the
broken spirit. Without love there is no happiness; without happiness life
is nothing worth. I would sooner wed a shepherd than an archon, did he but
bring with him the riches of true affection."

"Madness, madness!" exclaimed Zeuxis. "This philosophy may do for a
peasant maiden, but should not pollute the lips of a daughter of Zeuxis.
Talk of love! Why, it is but a passion born of circumstances. To-day it
bur