e had dissembled. To have done otherwise would have been to be the
murderess of Chios. Thus thought she.

By the light of the dimly burning lamp she looked like a tigress at bay.
Great clouds flitted sullenly across her face, and her eyes were dark as
the night, and darker they grew till the shadows which fell on her were
as light to them.

The lamp burned low, but she heeded not. Its dying flame pleased her,
and the shadows grew deeper, until her form sank into the darkness.

A great war raged within her. It was a battle-ground on which were
arrayed spirits, good and evil, fighting for the citadel of her soul.
The light from her mistress goddess was hidden, and reason cold as snow
sat enthroned upon that lofty mind.

Her duty was to serve as heretofore, but lurking love rose up in mighty
flame enveloping her. She could see Chios only, feel the pressure of his
lips, hear the sound of his voice speaking of love, of the minstrel and
of the bride of Britain.

'Who was that mysterious woman named Saronia?

'What caused that strange suspicion and the piercing cry? None other
than that by some peculiar affinity I realized that it was she that bore
me into this world.

'Oh that I could have heard the end of the story! Cruel destiny
shattered me at the harbour mouth, and I lie stranded a lonely wreck on
a bleak shore and tainted with rebellion. Shall I fail now? No; Saronia
shall build another self out of the shattered parts. I will arise, shake
the stupor from me, stretch out my arms into the darkness. I will robe
for divination,' and pointing her finger towards the dead lamp, it
sprang into flame, casting a glare around the room.

She arose, cast aside her snowy dress of whitened silk, draped herself
in darkest shade, girt her waist with a diamond zone black as night,
over her shoulders a mantle hung--a mantle of sable hue studded with
stars of silver and gold. On her breast she wore the Ephesian symbols of
Air and Water, Earth and Life, and Death. Her eyes shot glances like
serpents at war, her bosom was upheaved with the strongest emotion, and
she moved to the place where the burning lamp stood, seized it, and
stood by an altar raised to the goddess of Hades.

For a moment only was she motionless; then she raised high aloft her
jewelled hands, brought them to her lips, kissed them to the Queen of
Heaven, and stretched them earthwards to the underworld--to Hecate, the
Queen of Hell. Her head lay back; her eyes shon