nswer.

'I will seek him this very day,' resumed Julia; 'nay, why not this very
hour?'

'At daylight, and in his present state, thou hast assuredly the less to
fear,' answered Nydia, yielding to her own sudden and secret wish to
learn if the dark Egyptian were indeed possessed of those spells to
rivet and attract love, of which the Thessalian had so often heard.

'And who dare insult the rich daughter of Diomed?' said Julia,
haughtily. 'I will go.'

'May I visit thee afterwards to learn the result?' asked Nydia,
anxiously.

'Kiss me for thy interest in Julia's honour,' answered the lady. 'Yes,
assuredly. This eve we sup abroad--come hither at the same hour
to-morrow, and thou shalt know all: I may have to employ thee too; but
enough for the present. Stay, take this bracelet for the new thought
thou hast inspired me with; remember, if thou servest Julia, she is
grateful and she is generous.'

'I cannot take thy present,' said Nydia, putting aside the bracelet;
'but young as I am, I can sympathize unbought with those who love--and
love in vain.'

'Sayest thou so!' returned Julia. 'Thou speakest like a free woman--and
thou shalt yet be free--farewell!'

Chapter VIII

JULIA SEEKS ARBACES. THE RESULT OF THAT INTERVIEW.

ARBACES was seated in a chamber which opened on a kind of balcony or
portico that fronted his garden. His cheek was pale and worn with the
sufferings he had endured, but his iron frame had already recovered from
the severest effects of that accident which had frustrated his fell
designs in the moment of victory. The air that came fragrantly to his
brow revived his languid senses, and the blood circulated more freely
than it had done for days through his shrunken veins.

'So, then,' thought he, 'the storm of fate has broken and blown
over--the evil which my lore predicted, threatening life itself, has
chanced--and yet I live! It came as the stars foretold; and now the
long, bright, and prosperous career which was to succeed that evil, if I
survived it, smiles beyond: I have passed--I have subdued the latest
danger of my destiny. Now I have but to lay out the gardens of my
future fate--unterrified and secure. First, then, of all my pleasures,
even before that of love, shall come revenge! This boy Greek--who has
crossed my passion--thwarted my designs--baffled me even when the blade
was about to drink his accursed blood--shall not a second time escape
me! But for the method of my ven