ast sufferings; as yonder mountain
(and she pointed to Vesuvius), which we see dark and tranquil in the
distance, once nursed the fires for ever quenched.'

They both gazed on the mountain as Ione said these words; the rest of
the sky was bathed in rosy and tender hues, but over that grey summit,
rising amidst the woods and vineyards that then clomb half-way up the
ascent, there hung a black and ominous cloud, the single frown of the
landscape. A sudden and unaccountable gloom came over each as they thus
gazed; and in that sympathy which love had already taught them, and
which bade them, in the slightest shadows of emotion, the faintest
presentiment of evil, turn for refuge to each other, their gaze at the
same moment left the mountain, and full of unimaginable tenderness, met.
What need had they of words to say they loved?

Chapter VI

THE FOWLER SNARES AGAIN THE BIRD THAT HAD JUST ESCAPED, AND SETS HIS
NETS FOR A NEW VICTIM.

IN the history I relate, the events are crowded and rapid as those of
the drama. I write of an epoch in which days sufficed to ripen the
ordinary fruits of years.

Meanwhile, Arbaces had not of late much frequented the house of Ione;
and when he had visited her he had not encountered Glaucus, nor knew he,
as yet, of that love which had so suddenly sprung up between himself and
his designs. In his interest for the brother of Ione, he had been
forced, too, a little while, to suspend his interest in Ione herself.
His pride and his selfishness were aroused and alarmed at the sudden
change which had come over the spirit of the youth. He trembled lest he
himself should lose a docile pupil, and Isis an enthusiastic servant.
Apaecides had ceased to seek or to consult him. He was rarely to be
found; he turned sullenly from the Egyptian--nay, he fled when he
perceived him in the distance. Arbaces was one of those haughty and
powerful spirits accustomed to master others; he chafed at the notion
that one once his own should ever elude his grasp. He swore inly that
Apaecides should not escape him.

It was with this resolution that he passed through a thick grove in the
city, which lay between his house and that of Ione, in his way to the
latter; and there, leaning against a tree, and gazing on the ground, he
came unawares on the young priest of Isis.

'Apaecides!' said he--and he laid his hand affectionately on the young
man's shoulder.

The priest started; and his first instinct seemed to