hus Andreas had become the great ally of the gem-cutter's
children, and, as they could learn nothing from him that was not good
and worth knowing, Olympias had gladly allowed them to remain in his
society, and herself found a teacher and friend in the worthy steward.
She knew that Andreas had joined the Christians; she had made him tell
her much about his faith; still, as the daughter and wife of artists,
she was firmly attached to the old gods, and could only regard the
Christian doctrine as a new system of philosophy in which many things
attracted her, but many, on the other hand, repelled her. At that time
his passion for Melissa's mother had possessed him so wholly that
his life was a constant struggle against the temptation to covet his
neighbor's wife. And he had conquered, doing severe penance for every
glance which might for an instant betray to her the weakness of his
soul. She had loved flowers, and he knew the plant-world so well, and
was so absolutely master over everything which grew and bloomed in
the gardens of which he had charge, that he could often intrust his
speechless favorites to tell her things which lips and eyes might not
reveal. Now she was no more, and the culture of plants had lost half its
charm since her eyes could no longer watch their thriving. He now left
the gardens for the most part to his men, while he devoted himself to
other cares with double diligence, and to the strictest exercises of his
faith.

But, as many a man adores the children of the woman he might not marry,
Alexander and Melissa daily grew dearer to Andreas. He took a father's
interest in their welfare, and, needing little himself, he carefully
hoarded his ample income to promote the cause of Christianity and
encourage good works; but he had paid Alexander's debts when his time of
apprenticeship was over, for they were so considerable that the reckless
youth had not dared confess the sum to his stern father.

Very soon after this, Alexander had become one of the most popular
painters of the town; and when he proposed to repay his friend the money
he had lent him, Andreas accepted it; but he added it to a capital of
which the purpose was his secret, but which, if his prayers were heard,
might return once more to benefit Alexander. Diodoros, too, was as dear
to the freedman as a son of his own could have been, though he was a
heathen. In the gymnasium and the race-course, or in the practice of the
mysteries, the good seed