her to her knees at my feet when I like, as soon I open my
eyes, and discover that I am a man. Eh, boy! Did she ever teach you that
among her mathematics and metaphysics, and gods and goddesses?'

Philammon stood blushing scarlet. The sweet poison had entered, and
every vein glowed with it for the first time in his life. Miriam saw her
advantage.

'There, there--don't be frightened at your new lesson. After all, I
liked you from the first moment I saw you, and asked the teraph about
you, and I got an answer--such an answer! You shall know it some day. At
all events, it set the poor old soft-hearted Jewess on throwing away her
money. Did you ever guess from whom your monthly gold piece came?'

Philammon started, and Miriam burst into loud, shrill laughter.

'From Hypatia, I'll warrant! From the fair Greek woman, of course--vain
child that you are--never thinking of the poor old Jewess.'

'And did you? did you?' gasped Philammon.

'Have I to thank you, then, for that strange generosity?'

'Not to thank me, but to obey me; for mind, I can prove your debt to me,
every obol, and claim it if I choose. But don't fear; I won't be hard on
you, just because you are in my power. I hate every one who is not so.
As soon as I have a hold on them, I begin to love them. Old folks, like
children, are fond of their own playthings.'

'And I am yours, then?' said Philammon fiercely.

'You are indeed, my beautiful boy,' answered she, looking up with so
insinuating a smile that he could not be angry. 'After all, I know how
to toss my balls gently--and for these forty years I have only lived
to make young folks happy; so you need not be afraid of the poor
soft-hearted old woman. Now--you saved Orestes's life yesterday.'

'How did you find out that?'

'I? I know everything. I know what the swallows say when they pass each
other on the wing, and what the fishes think of in the summer sea. You,
too, will be able to guess some day, without the teraph's help. But
in the mean time you must enter Orestes's service. Why?-What are you
hesitating about? Do you not know that you are high in his favour? He
will make you secretary--raise you to be chamberlain some day, if you
know how to make good use of your fortune.'

Philammon stood in astonished silence; and at last--

'Servant to that man? What care I for him or his honours? Why do you
tantalise me thus? I have no wish on earth but to see my sister!'

'You will be far more likely to se