overlooking the sea stands a temple and shrine to
the goddess.

Northward is the mountain of Gallesus, with its pine precipices and
aerial summits piercing the clouds. At its feet the city of Claros, with
temple and groves of ash and mighty oracle sacred to Apollo.

Further away, from the Cilbianian, and turning west of the lake
Selinusian, comes southward a river moving along midst bright oleander
and blossoms of myrtle, murmuring adieu to the gods of the river as it
passes on its course to the bosom of ocean.

Away to the west and the south, like a misty dream, are the pale-blue
tops of Pactyas; between them and the Gallessian range stands the city
of Ephesus, Coressus and Pion like sentinel hills guarding its massive
gates.

Here on this rock-bound cliff, near the altar, stood Endora, the witch.

The day was young and no one about, and she gazed far out at sea,
straining her evil eyes until they seemed to start from their sockets.

She turned with a disappointed air, and, gazing towards the city, cried:

'Doomed art thou! Little did they know I was about. Had Chios known I
was there, he would have been more careful. Turned Christian! Loves
Saronia!

'I will not betray him. Hag as I be, cursed as I am, all Hades shall not
draw me to reveal. This blasted spirit of mine may drift, yet I swear by
the father of the gods--no, no, I cannot swear by him! What shall I
swear by?

'I swear by Chios and Saronia, mortals like myself, that I will be true,
true. Can I be true? No, no, no, I will not betray them. That is all!

'What a curse hangs over this beautiful place! I heard that strange man
tell Chios the great city shall die. I know a sibyl has spoken, "That
the earth opening and quaking, the Temple of Diana would be swallowed
like a ship in a storm into the abyss, and Ephesus, lamenting by the
river banks, would inquire for it then inhabited no more." And, who
knows, she may be true! What care I? Endora will be far hence. I have to
do with the present. I have come to watch for the white sails of the
Roman fleet bringing back the Proconsul. I know they are near, expected
to-day.

'Now one long gaze out over the great, cloud-mirroring sea. My eyes are
keen. No, they come not, and I go hence.'

She turned landward and saw Saronia.

She cowered towards the sea-flower-blooming sward as the priestess said:

'What doest thou here, woman?'

'Naught, my lady, but for the gathering of fragrant herbs.'

'Thou liest