ght convince Varro of her love for the
ill-fated man. The Roman was aflame with love, and wrapped in a mantle
of jealousy, since he had received the philtre from her hands which was
destined for Chios.

She would approach him gently, and artful as a snake.

When he came that day, she said:

'Hast thou heard of the arrest of our friend?'

'Heard of it? Why, nothing else occupies the Ephesians, and by this time
all in Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, as well as Ionia, have heard of the
sad event. Whatever does it mean, Nika? Canst thou solve it, noble
Venusta?'

'We cannot,' they both exclaimed. ''Tis a most mysterious affair. We are
as much at sea to understand as thou. Surely he must have had a motive
for being in the Sacred Grove.'

'I am dying to know,' added Nika. 'Our sex is full of curiosity. Could
he not yet explain and stand a chance for his life?' said she. 'In one
way he deserves his fate: he was always queer and headstrong; but it is
a frightful thought to imagine him torn limb from limb and expiring
before our eyes. Can anything be done? Perhaps if I saw him,' continued
the girl, 'I might extract from him that which he refuses others. There
was a time when I had some little influence with him, but that was long,
very long ago. Nevertheless, if thou considerest it feasible, and get me
audience--private audience, mark you, for he is not the man to unburden
his mind to the public gaze--I will see him, weak creature as I am. I
will do my best; and see what thou canst do, if thou dost value his
life.'

'Good! Well said, Nika! The Proconsul will do what he can. Hold thyself
in readiness for the morrow. I will advise thee further on this matter.'

The Roman was sad at heart, and soon took his departure, brooding deeply
over that which Nika had advanced. True, he was the first in the land,
but could he interfere? He would try. Chios was a noble fellow, and
would lay down his life rather than be guilty of a mean act. There must
be some great mystery behind it all. What could it be? Chios the
generous, truthful, straightforward, faithful friend guilty of
death--guilty of death for being within a grove called 'sacred,' and for
killing a couple of infuriated dogs! Nonsense! He was not a robber or
incendiary. Nothing of the kind; and he would never see the life-blood
of such a man flow out to the earth, and his dying spasms make sport for
the people of Ionia. No! To work! He knew by virtue of his rank he
could see him