an come to me
whilst I follow that which is good.'

Saronia left her, retired to her private chamber, and threw herself down
to rest awhile. She believed all the woman had said. She had faith in
Chios, but would he be firm amidst the temptations which beset him? Then
she arose, and walked to and fro the room like a caged lion. She could
not move out and wage warfare; it was an unequal fight. What could she
do? For a moment jealousy sat upon the throne of reason, and she became
fearful to look upon. Should she, in the might of her fury, blast this
girl before her time? Should she pour forth her mystic spells until they
consumed her very vitals? No! She would, at any rate, if war must come,
battle with her, spirit against spirit, woman against woman. For the
present she would wait events.

She wished now she had kept Endora, and bade her bring news from the hum
of the busy world. Never mind; she could summon her at will. One thought
could fetch her. She was mightier in will than the wise woman, and, as
Hecate could summon her priestesses, so Saronia could call the witch.

CHAPTER XIX

THE DAWN OF FAITH

The day had arrived, and Varro and Chios were to meet the priests and
priestesses concerning the picture of Saronia. Many eyes were turned
upon them until they entered the Temple and were hidden from view.

When the time came for the Roman to approach the High Priest, he
addressed him thus:

'Most noble of the Megalobyzi, most exalted among men, king of priests,
High Priest of the great Diana, whose fame extends from Central Rome to
Britain in the West, where stands a temple to her name--fame which
extends not only from the centre to the West, but back again through the
great world until it grasps the lands and islands of the far-off East,
we, in all humility, and for the great veneration in which we hold the
goddess, would help to honour the name of her great High Priestess,
Saronia, before whom we bow lowly, and salute her first among women, by
presenting to this holy shrine a picture truly painted of this noble
virgin, that her goodness and beauty may ever appear before the eyes of
the worshippers of her august mistress, Diana Triformis.'

Then replied the chief Megabyzus:

'Have we an artist in Ephesus who could do justice to our noble queen?'

'We have,' said Varro; 'Chios the Greek. This is he.'

'Good, most esteemed Proconsul, but remember it is