oment, gazed on the pair with a brow from which
all the usual stern serenity had fled; he recovered himself by an
effort, and slowly approached them, but with a step so soft and
echoless, that even the attendants heard him not; much less Ione and her
lover.

'And yet,' said Glaucus, 'it is only before we love that we imagine that
our poets have truly described the passion; the instant the sun rises,
all the stars that had shone in his absence vanish into air. The poets
exist only in the night of the heart; they are nothing to us when we
feel the full glory of the god.'

'A gentle and most glowing image, noble Glaucus.'

Both started, and recognized behind the seat of Ione the cold and
sarcastic face of the Egyptian.

'You are a sudden guest,' said Glaucus, rising, and with a forced smile.

'So ought all to be who know they are welcome,' returned Arbaces,
seating himself, and motioning to Glaucus to do the same.

'I am glad,' said Ione, 'to see you at length together; for you are
suited to each other, and you are formed to be friends.'

'Give me back some fifteen years of life,' replied the Egyptian, 'before
you can place me on an equality with Glaucus. Happy should I be to
receive his friendship; but what can I give him in return? Can I make
to him the same confidences that he would repose in me--of banquets and
garlands--of Parthian steeds, and the chances of the dice? these
pleasures suit his age, his nature, his career: they are not for mine.'

So saying, the artful Egyptian looked down and sighed; but from the
corner of his eye he stole a glance towards Ione, to see how she
received these insinuations of the pursuits of her visitor. Her
countenance did not satisfy him. Glaucus, slightly coloring, hastened
gaily to reply. Nor was he, perhaps, without the wish in his turn to
disconcert and abash the Egyptian.

'You are right, wise Arbaces,' said he; 'we can esteem each other, but
we cannot be friends. My banquets lack the secret salt which, according
to rumor, gives such zest to your own. And, by Hercules! when I have
reached your age, if I, like you, may think it wise to pursue the
pleasures of manhood, like you, I shall be doubtless sarcastic on the
gallantries of youth.'

The Egyptian raised his eyes to Glaucus with a sudden and piercing
glance.

'I do not understand you,' said he, coldly; 'but it is the custom to
consider that wit lies in obscurity.' He turned from Glaucus as he
spoke, with a