tian creed--it was in the darkness of the
dungeon, and over the approach of death, that the dawning Gospel shed
its soft and consecrating rays.

Chapter XVII

A CHANCE FOR GLAUCUS.

THE hours passed in lingering torture over the head of Nydia from the
time in which she had been replaced in her cell.

Sosia, as if afraid he should be again outwitted, had refrained from
visiting her until late in the morning of the following day, and then he
but thrust in the periodical basket of food and wine, and hastily
reclosed the door. That day rolled on, and Nydia felt herself
pent--barred--inexorably confined, when that day was the judgment-day of
Glaucus, and when her release would have saved him! Yet knowing, almost
impossible as seemed her escape, that the sole chance for the life of
Glaucus rested on her, this young girl, frail, passionate, and acutely
susceptible as she was--resolved not to give way to a despair that would
disable her from seizing whatever opportunity might occur. She kept her
senses whenever, beneath the whirl of intolerable thought, they reeled
and tottered; nay, she took food and wine that she might sustain her
strength--that she might be prepared!

She revolved scheme after scheme of escape, and was forced to dismiss
all. Yet Sosia was her only hope, the only instrument with which she
could tamper. He had been superstitious in the desire of ascertaining
whether he could eventually purchase his freedom. Blessed gods! might
he not be won by the bribe of freedom itself? was she not nearly rich
enough to purchase it? Her slender arms were covered with bracelets, the
presents of Ione; and on her neck she yet wore that very chain which, it
may be remembered, had occasioned her jealous quarrel with Glaucus, and
which she had afterwards promised vainly to wear for ever. She waited
burningly till Sosia should again appear: but as hour after hour passed,
and he came not, she grew impatient. Every nerve beat with fever; she
could endure the solitude no longer--she groaned, she shrieked
aloud--she beat herself against the door. Her cries echoed along the
hall, and Sosia, in peevish anger, hastened to see what was the matter,
and silence his prisoner if possible.

'Ho! ho! what is this?' said he, surlily. 'Young slave, if thou
screamest out thus, we must gag thee again. My shoulders will smart for
it, if thou art heard by my master.'

'Kind Sosia, chide me not--I cannot endure to be so long alone,'