'The goddess is here! Hecate is here!'

The winds were rising and whistling with strange meaning through the
sacred pines; the moon sailed down the west as a barque on the wings of
a favouring gale; the stars looked down from their distant thrones; the
song of the waves came up from the strand; and the night wore on.

The next day's sun arose, mounted the heavens in beauty, and smiled down
its splendour on mountain and sea. Saronia breathed the fresh morning
air. All nature was alive; the flowers seemed to cast a richer perfume;
the birds, to her, warbled their choicest strains; life and joy were
everywhere; night and death were asleep.

The great highway to peace was unclouded, and she could look straight
down the golden road, until it melted into the altar-steps of heaven.

This was her bridal morn; why should she not be happy? And that day she
was wedded to her faith, initiated into the mysteries of Diana, and
became a priestess of the goddess.

CHAPTER VI

LUCIUS

Ephesus was a scene of gaiety.

Great arches decorated with choice foliage and festooned with lovely
flowers spanned the public way; banners of strange beauty waved on the
morning breeze; jubilant strains of martial music floated on the
perfumed air.

The day was young, yet vast crowds were astir. This was a festive
day--the day of the home-coming of Lucius, whose wife was Venusta.

Yes, he was to arrive in port to-day in command of a Roman squadron. Had
he not been to far-off Britain and brought a British chieftain captive
to Rome?

Already the powerful ships were seen between the Isle of Samos and the
main. Soon they drew nearer. Their great square sails set to catch the
favouring gale urged them onwards like homesick birds until they drew
close to the entrance of the port, and the people flocked to meet them.
For Lucius was a valiant commander, and he should have a hearty welcome.
Besides, had he not from time to time made costly offerings to their
city protectoress, and was there not a tablet in the great theatre
recounting the noble deeds of Lucius Erastus?

The fleet had entered the channel leading up to the city port. First
came, like flying scouts, groups of gaily painted boats and splendid
barges, with sails of many hues, vermilion, azure, golden-coloured, and
white, some with stripes, and many-formed devices, others with curious
mystic signs.

Streamers hung lazily