ft me, that my request
is granted.'

'I will let her go,' said the Roman. 'I think it best as thou hast said.
Her destiny seems to lie outside our reach. To bring her back is wrong
to thee after what thou hast now said. To let her remain may be
humiliation. However, one thing we know: whilst within the Temple she
cannot trouble us. To free her and let her wander abroad--well, it would
be worse than playing with a deadly serpent. Discussion further may only
hamper our best policy. She shall circle in her own orbit.' And Venusta
framed reply, stating the slave's assertions quite untrue; but, being
desirous of making an offering to the Queen of Heaven, she set her free.

And thus does fate work out our destiny, and prove

'Man's goings are not of his own ways;
How then can he direct his paths?'

CHAPTER V

THE TEMPLE OF DIANA

Bathed in the sunlight of an azure sky, the Temple of Diana raised its
lovely head and shone the fairest mistress of the ancient East. Boasting
a long list of ancestors, she, the last of a line of temples, the
Mighty One that should fight against the coming Christ, a strong
fortress wherein her devotees should defend their faith against all
detractors--this the last, the eighth, the proudest Temple, the wonder
of the world, was now in all its splendour, enthroned at the head of the
sacred port, and shone out like a silvery sun.

Built on sure foundations of the Ionic order, with symmetrical
proportions, it towered high in majesty, with double rows of fluted
marble pillars carved magnificently, many of which were the gifts of
kings.

Its pronaos and pediments were resplendent with marble, whilst the
vestibule and peristyle were adorned with the richest friezes and the
noblest statues.

The roof of cedar was covered with marble and gold, and the staircases
were of vine. Around it on every side great flights of marble steps led
up to the sacred shrine.

The entrance doors to this mighty Temple were of cypress wood, with
ivory panels of richest sculpture set in gold.

Within, the place was full of rarest beauty, and strength abounded on
every hand.

Pillars rose on pillars, and the choicest workmanship adorned them. The
friezes and the painted walls were all that art could furnish, and the
sky appeared through the open roof like a circle of fairest blue.

In the Temple stood the altar, behind the altar the great statue of