hee
down to be the sport of Ephesus, nor stay their tongues at any lie.'

'What meanest thou? How knowest thou this?'

'How do I know? Do not slaves leave their homes by stealth and come to
the wise woman Endora that she may read their fate? Such is the case.
One night, under cover of darkness, a slave slid from the jewelled home
of the Romans, and sought my wretched den. 'Twas then I plucked from out
the bosom of the frightened one the secrets of Venusta's house. She
overheard her mistress say that all in her power should be done to drag
thee down, appealing at the same time for aid from the Roman Proconsul,
who has just arrived from Rome to rule Ionia. But--I have more to tell
thee. Thou knowest Chios, the Greek?'

'Thou art growing too familiar, Endora.'

'I am aware of it, august lady, but this familiarity is but the outcome
of my strong desire to aid thee. I will say my say if cast to death for
it. Remember we serve one goddess. Thou art blessed; I a rebel and
cursed. But Hecate is our goddess. I say thou knowest Chios; I know it
to be so, I noted his kindness when thou wert a slave. Rememberest thou
the time when, standing without the great theatre, waiting the bidding
of the Roman reptile, he came and spoke words of comfort to thee--to
thee? And below, in the depths of thy heart, are many cherished windings
of the past wherein he lit thee through the briars.'

'Cease, woman: no more of this! I may arise and destroy thee. Darest
thou insult the servant of Diana?'

'I insult thee not; I tell the truth, and truth is a rare commodity with
me. Thou canst slay me! If I lie, then would I fear, but, speaking the
truth, I make thine hands weak and thy wings weary. Once more I say at
that time thou lovedst him, and could not help doing so; and this also I
assert: Chios loves Saronia--Chios is content to feed on those memories
of the past, and so art thou. Thou art forbidden by thy office to love
other than the goddess, but I tell thee woman must love, and in secret I
know thou must keep this love aglow--_eternally_ so--like a vestal
flame; and woe, I say, to the woman that crosses thy path to kill this
light, to put out this flame! Now, such a being is Nika--Nika, the Roman
girl; she attempts it. I have told thee; I have warned thee.'

'Thou talkest madly. What have I to do with Nika or Chios?' And,
pointing towards the great Temple, Saronia exclaimed: 'There is the
gateway to my only love!'

'No, no, lovely pries