ill was sufficient to show it to him again.

"The Temple of Poseidon!" cried Gras. "The Proserpina is to land at
the foot of the steps." And now Hermon listened to the sounds from
the shore, whose hum and buzz transported him into the midst of the
long-missed city of commerce, knowledge, and arts.

Then the captain's shouts of command fell imperiously upon his ears, the
strokes of the oars ceased, their blades sank with a loud splash into
the water, and at the same instant from the temple steps Hermon was
greeted by the solemn notes of the chorus, from whose rhythm his own
name rang forth again and again like so many shouts of victory.

He thought his heart would fairly burst through his arched chest,
and the passionate violence of its throbbing did not lessen when Gras
exclaimed: "Half Alexandria has assembled to greet you. Ah, if you could
only see it! How the kerchiefs are waving! Laurel after laurel in every
hand! All the distinguished people in the capital have gathered on the
sacred soil of the Temple of Poseidon. There is Archias, too; there are
the artists and the famous gentlemen of the Museum, the members of the
Ephebi, and the priests of the great gods."

Hermon listened with his hand pressed on his breast, and while doing
so the power of his imagination showed the vast, harmoniously noble
structure of the many-pillared Temple of Poseidon, surrounded by as
many thousands as there were in reality hundreds. From all parts of the
sanctuary, even from the tops of the roofs, he beheld laurel branches
and kerchiefs waving and tossing, and wreaths flung on the ground before
him. If this picture was correct, the whole city was greeting him,
headed by the men whom he honoured as great and meritorious, and in
front of them all Daphne, with drooping head, full of feminine grace and
heart-winning goodness.

While the chorus continued their song, and the welcoming shouts grew
louder, the brilliant picture faded away, but in return he felt friendly
arms clasp him. First Archias, then Proclus, and after him a succession
of fellow-artists-the greatest of all--drew him into a warm embrace.

Finally he felt himself led away, placed his feet as his Uncle Archias
whispered directions, and as they gropingly obeyed them ascended the
temple steps and stood in utter darkness upon the platform listening to
the speeches which so many had prepared.

All the distinguished men in the city expressed their sympathy, their
pity, thei