any one I have seen before or since; she cared for
nothing, yet was not morose or peevish or hard-hearted. She died young in
my service. Shortly before her end she had a dream. She saw a company of
bright shades, clothed in white, like the hours which circle round the god
of day. They were crowned with flowers, and they said to each other,
'_She_ ought to have a token too.' So they took her hand, and led her to a
most beautiful lady, as stately as Juno and as sweet as Ariadne, so
radiant in countenance that they themselves suddenly looked like
Ethiopians by the side of her. She, too, was crowned with flowers, and
these so dazzling that they might be the stars of heaven or the gems of
Asia for what Chione could tell. And that fair goddess (angel you call
her) said, 'My dear, here is something for you from my Son. He sends you
by me a red rose for your love, a white lily for your chastity, purple
violets to strew your grave, and green palms to flourish over it.' Is this
the reason why you give me flowers, Agellius, that I may rank with Chione?
and is this their interpretation?"

"Callista," he answered, "it is my heart's most fervent wish, it is my
mind's vivid anticipation, that the day may come when you will receive
such a crown, nay, a brighter one."

"And you are come, of course, to philosophize to me, and to put me in the
way of dying like Chione," she made answer. "I implore your pardon. You
are offering me flowers, it seems, not for a bridal wreath, but for a
funeral urn."

"Is it wonderful," said Agellius, "that the two wishes should have gone
together in my heart; and that while I trusted and prayed that you might
have the same Master in heaven as I have myself, I also hoped you would
have the same service, the same aims, the same home upon earth?"

"And that you should speak one word for your Master and two for yourself!"
she retorted.

"It has been by feeling how much you could be to me," he answered, "that I
have been led to think how much my Master may be doing for you already,
and how much in time to come you might do for Him. Callista, do not urge
me with your Greek subtlety, or expect me to analyze my feelings more
precisely than I have the ability to do. May I calmly tell you the state
of my mind, as I do know it, and will you patiently listen?"

She signified her willingness, and he continued--"This only I know," he
said, "what I have experienced ever since I first heard you converse, that
there i