child--though, for Alexander's
sake, she might have tried to keep awake--the faithful soul pushed a
cushion under the girl's head, drew the screen across the window, and
stood waving off the flies which buzzed about her darling's flushed
face, till presently the dog barked, and an energetic knock shook the
house-door. Melissa started from her slumbers, the old woman threw aside
the fan, and, as she hurried to admit the vehement visitor, cried out to
Melissa:

"Be easy, dear child--be easy. It is nothing; depend upon that. I know
the knock; it is only Philip."

CHAPTER XIV.

Dido was right. Heron's eldest son had returned from his errand. Tired,
disappointed, and with fierce indignation in his eyes, he staggered
in like a drunken man who has been insulted in his cups; and, without
greeting her--as his mother had taught her children to greet even their
slaves--he merely asked in hoarse tones, "Is Melissa come in?"

"Yes, yes," replied Dido, laying her finger to her lips. "You roused her
from a nap. And what a state you are in! You must not let her see you
so! It is very clear what news you bring. The prefect will not help us?"

"Help us!" echoed Philip, wrathfully. "In Alexandria a man may drown
rather than another will risk wetting his feet."

"Nay, it is not so bad as that," said the old woman. "Alexander himself
has burned his fingers for others many a time. Wait a minute. I will
fetch you a draught of wine. There is some still in the kitchen; for if
you appear before your sister in that plight--"

But Melissa had recognized her brother's voice, and, although Philip had
smoothed his hair a little with his hands, one glance at his face showed
her that his efforts had been vain.

"Poor boy!" she said, when, in answer to her question as to what his
news was, he had answered gloomily, "As bad as possible."

She took his hand and led him into the work-room. There she reminded him
that she was giving him a new brother in Diodoros; and he embraced her
fondly, and wished her and her betrothed every happiness. She thanked
him out of a full heart, while he swallowed his wine, and then she
begged him to tell her all he had done.

He began, and, as she gazed at him, it struck her how little he
resembled his father and brother, though he was no less tall, and his
head was shaped like theirs. But his frame, instead of showing their
stalwart build, was lean and weakly. His spine did not seem strong
enough for his lo