'Very.'

'Wilt thou witness the ceremony, Nika?'

'No.'

'Farewell, sweet one; I will return before sundown and tell thee all the
news.'

* * * * *

The crown and the congratulation were conveyed to the Temple. When the
High Priest read the request of the Proconsul, that Saronia should
present them, he smiled, saying:

'Let it be so.'

Saronia thought the request unusual, but the priest said:

'Foster the whim; no harm can come of it.'

* * * * *

It was past noon; the great sun shone out with refulgent glory. Not a
cloud sailed the azure depths. The birds were sheltering from the heat
between the branches of the citron-trees. An eagle flew by flapping its
wings as Chios met the Roman at the gateway of the Sacred Shrine.

They moved towards the marble steps, and, ascending past pronaos and
vestibule, went within the gates of ivory and gold and stood near the
altar, around which were gathered the High Priest and Priestess and
their attendants.

The Proconsul and Chios bowed lowly, and were saluted in return; and the
proclamation ran:

'WHEREAS Chios, the Greek of Ephesus, has proved to the people
of this city that he possesses heroic courage, and used it well
on behalf of a fallen enemy of the Sacred Goddess:

'The PROCONSUL, the COUNCIL, and the PEOPLE request that he be
crowned with a crown of gold, and, FURTHER, that the Act be
proclaimed at the festival of Dionysus at the Great Theatre,
and a place be allotted to him in a Tribe and a Thousand:

'THAT he possesses the privilege of occupying a front seat at
the games, and is exempt from paying duty on all articles
imported or exported by him, and that he has right to leave or
enter the city in time of peace or war.

'THIS DECREE to be inscribed by the Temple Wardens in the Great
Temple of Artemis, where other grants of citizens have been
subscribed.

'THAT ALL MEN MAY KNOW the people of Ephesus delight to honour
such deeds of heroism, whether performed on behalf of a friend
or an enemy.'

This read, Saronia the High Priestess bade Chios come to her, and taking
the crown from an attendant, she placed it on the brow of the Greek,
saying: 'Hail, honoured of the Ephesian people!' And at the same time
she handed him the letter sealed with the seal of Rome.

As she did so, she looked steadfastly into h