the attendants, passed by a private door into the garden
behind.

'She comes by appointment, be sure,' said one of the slaves.

'What is that to thee?' said a superintendent, sourly; 'she pays for the
baths, and does not waste the saffron. Such appointments are the best
part of the trade. Hark! do you not hear the widow Fulvia clapping her
hands? Run, fool--run!'

Julia and Nydia, avoiding the more public part of the garden, arrived at
the place specified by the Egyptian. In a small circular plot of grass
the stars gleamed upon the statue of Silenus--the merry god reclined
upon a fragment of rock--the lynx of Bacchus at his feet--and over his
mouth he held, with extended arm, a bunch of grapes, which he seemingly
laughed to welcome ere he devoured.

'I see not the magician,' said Julia, looking round: when, as she spoke,
the Egyptian slowly emerged from the neighboring foliage, and the light
fell palely over his sweeping robes.

'Salve, sweet maiden!--But ha! whom hast thou here? we must have no
companions!'

'It is but the blind flower-girl, wise magician,' replied Julia:
'herself a Thessalian.'

'Oh! Nydia!' said the Egyptian. 'I know her well.'

Nydia drew back and shuddered.

'Thou hast been at my house, methinks!' said he, approaching his voice
to Nydia's ear; 'thou knowest the oath!--Silence and secrecy, now as
then, or beware!'

'Yet,' he added, musingly to himself, 'why confide more than is
necessary, even in the blind--Julia, canst thou trust thyself alone with
me? Believe me, the magician is less formidable than he seems.'

As he spoke, he gently drew Julia aside.

'The witch loves not many visitors at once,' said he: 'leave Nydia here
till your return; she can be of no assistance to us: and, for
protection--your own beauty suffices--your own beauty and your own rank;
yes, Julia, I know thy name and birth. Come, trust thyself with me,
fair rival of the youngest of the Naiads!'

The vain Julia was not, as we have seen, easily affrighted; she was
moved by the flattery of Arbaces, and she readily consented to suffer
Nydia to await her return; nor did Nydia press her presence. At the
sound of the Egyptian's voice all her terror of him returned: she felt a
sentiment of pleasure at learning she was not to travel in his
companionship.

She returned to the Bath-house, and in one of the private chambers
waited their return. Many and bitter were the thoughts of this wild
girl as she sat there