said Ione, in a calm and
imploring tone, and a few large tears rolled unheeded down her cheeks.

'Would that I could restore the one and save the other!' returned
Arbaces, with apparent emotion. 'Yes; to make thee happy I would
renounce my ill-fated love, and gladly join thy hand to the Athenian's.
Perhaps he will yet come unscathed from his trial (Arbaces had prevented
her learning that the trial had already commenced); if so, thou art free
to judge or condemn him thyself. And think not, O Ione, that I would
follow thee longer with a prayer of love. I know it is in vain. Suffer
me only to weep--to mourn with thee. Forgive a violence deeply
repented, and that shall offend no more. Let me be to thee only what I
once was--a friend, a father, a Protector. Ah, Ione! spare me and
forgive.'

'I forgive thee. Save but Glaucus, and I will renounce him. O mighty
Arbaces! thou art powerful in evil or in good: save the Athenian, and
the poor Ione will never see him more.' As she spoke, she rose with weak
and trembling limbs, and falling at his feet, she clasped his knees:
'Oh! if thou really lovest me--if thou art human--remember my father's
ashes, remember my childhood, think of all the hours we passed happily
together, and save my Glaucus!'

Strange convulsions shook the frame of the Egyptian; his features worked
fearfully--he turned his face aside, and said, in a hollow voice, 'If I
could save him, even now, I would; but the Roman law is stern and sharp.
Yet if I could succeed--if I could rescue and set him free--wouldst thou
be mine--my bride?'

'Thine?' repeated Ione, rising: 'thine!--thy bride? My brother's blood
is unavenged: who slew him? O Nemesis, can I even sell, for the life of
Glaucus, thy solemn trust? Arbaces--thine? Never.'

'Ione, Ione!' cried Arbaces, passionately; 'why these mysterious
words?--why dost thou couple my name with the thought of thy brother's
death?'

'My dreams couple it--and dreams are from the gods.'

'Vain fantasies all! Is it for a dream that thou wouldst wrong the
innocent, and hazard thy sole chance of saving thy lover's life?'

'Hear me!' said Ione, speaking firmly, and with a deliberate and solemn
voice: 'If Glaucus be saved by thee, I will never be borne to his home a
bride. But I cannot master the horror of other rites: I cannot wed with
thee. Interrupt me not; but mark me, Arbaces!--if Glaucus die, on that
same day I baffle thine arts, and leave to thy love only