day, could not but be remarked after a lapse of many
years. The darker hair, the softer complexion, the suave smile into
which the merry laugh of girlhood had little by little subsided, the
more composed mien, replete with matronly dignity, the refinement of air
and attitude insensibly resulting from long continued instinctive
imitation, the superior development of figure--all these, as they were
improvements in her former self, were also just so many effective
disguises upon which she could safely rely, unless she were to provoke
inordinate scrutiny by some unguarded action or expression. But all this
she would earnestly guard against. She would even put no trust in the
natural immunity of which her reason assured her, but would make
everything doubly safe by totally refraining from any encounter with one
whose recognition of her would be so painful.

This she could do, and yet not fail in any friendly duty which the
remembrance of their former love might enjoin upon her. Unseen in her
retirement, she could watch over and protect him, now that in his sorrow
and degradation he so greatly needed a friend. She could ameliorate his
lot by numberless kindnesses, which he would enjoy none the less for
being unable to detect their source. She would cunningly influence her
father to treat him with tenderness and consideration. And when the
proper time arrived, and she could take her measures without suspicion,
she would herself purchase his freedom, and send him back rejoicing to
his native land. And when all this was done, and he should again have
reached his home, perhaps she might then write to him one line to tell
him who it was that had befriended him, and that she had done so in
memory of olden times, and that now, when she was so far removed from
him, he should give her one kind thought, utter a prayer to the gods in
her behalf, and then forget her forever.

So much for her security and her friendly duty. As for the feelings of
her heart, she was at rest. Strong in self-confidence, she had no fear
that her mind could be influenced to stray from its proper path. It is
true that during the previous evening, in the first tumult of troubled
thought, she had felt a vague presentiment that a day of temptation
might be before her, not as the result of any deliberate choice upon her
part, but rather as a cruel destiny to be forced upon her. But now the
current of her mind moved more clearly and unobstructedly; and she felt
th