of her sex, and it had been increased in
her breast by her early servitude. What slave was ever destitute of
cunning? She resolved to practise upon her keeper; and calling suddenly
to mind his superstitious query as to her Thessalian art, she hoped by
that handle to work out some method of release. These doubts occupied
her mind during the rest of the day and the long hours of night; and,
accordingly, when Sosia visited her the following morning, she hastened
to divert his garrulity into that channel in which it had before evinced
a natural disposition to flow.

She was aware, however, that her only chance of escape was at night; and
accordingly she was obliged with a bitter pang at the delay to defer
till then her purposed attempt.

'The night,' said she, 'is the sole time in which we can well decipher
the decrees of Fate--then it is thou must seek me. But what desirest
thou to learn?'

'By Pollux! I should like to know as much as my master; but that is not
to be expected. Let me know, at least, whether I shall save enough to
purchase my freedom, or whether this Egyptian will give it me for
nothing. He does such generous things sometimes. Next, supposing that
be true, shall I possess myself of that snug taberna among the
Myropolia, which I have long had in my eye? 'Tis a genteel trade that
of a perfumer, and suits a retired slave who has something of a
gentleman about him!'

'Ay! so you would have precise answers to those questions?--there are
various ways of satisfying you. There is the Lithomanteia, or
Speaking-stone, which answers your prayer with an infant's voice; but,
then, we have not that precious stone with us--costly is it and rare.
Then there is the Gastromanteia, whereby the demon casts pale and deadly
images upon the water, prophetic of the future. But this art requires
also glasses of a peculiar fashion, to contain the consecrated liquid,
which we have not. I think, therefore, that the simplest method of
satisfying your desire would be by the Magic of Air.'

'I trust,' said Sosia, tremulously, 'that there is nothing very
frightful in the operation? I have no love for apparitions.'

'Fear not; thou wilt see nothing; thou wilt only hear by the bubbling of
water whether or not thy suit prospers. First, then, be sure, from the
rising of the evening star, that thou leavest the garden-gate somewhat
open, so that the demon may feel himself invited to enter therein; and
place fruits and water