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[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By Georg Ebers
The high-priest of Serapis presided over the sacrifices to be offeredthis morning. Caesar had given beasts in abundance to do honor to thegod; still, the priest had gone but ill-disposed to fulfill his part; forthe imperial command that the citizens' houses should be filled with thetroops, who were also authorized to make unheard-of demands on theirhosts, had roused his ire against the tyrant, who, in the morning, afterhis bath, had appeared to him unhappy indeed, but at the same time agifted and conscientious ruler, capable of the highest and grandestenterprise.
Melissa, in obedience to the lady Euryale, had taken an hour's rest, andthen refreshed herself by bathing. She now was breakfasting with hervenerated friend, and Philostratus had joined them. He was able to tellthem that a swift State galley was already on its way to overtake andrelease her father and brother; and when he saw how glad she was to hearit, how beautiful, fresh, and pure she was, he thought to himself withanxiety that it would be a wonder if the imperial slave to his ownpassions should not desire to possess this lovely creature.
Euryale also feared this, and Melissa realized what filled them withanxiety; yet she by no means shared the feeling, and the happy confidencewith which she tried to comfort her old friends, at the same timepacified and alarmed them. It seemed to her quite foolish and vain tosuppose that the emperor, the mighty ruler of the world, should fall inlove with her, the humble, obscure gem-cutter's child, who aspired to onesuitor alone. It was merely as a patient wishes for the physician, sheassured herself, that the emperor wished for her presence—Philostratushad understood that. During the night she had certainly been seized withgreat fears, but, as she now thought, without any cause. What she reallyhad to dread was that she might be falsely judged by his followers;still, she cared nothing about all these Romans. However, she would begEuryale to see Diodoros, and to tell him what forced her to obey theemperor's summons, if he should send for her. It was highly probablethat the sick man had been informed of her interview with Caracalla, and,as her betrothed, he must be told how she felt toward Caesar; for thiswas his right, and jealous agitation might injure him.
Her face so expressed the hope and confidence of a pure heart that when,after a little time, she withdrew, Euryale said to the philosopher:
"We must not alarm her more! Her trustful innocence perhaps may protecther better than anxious precautions."
And Philostratus agreed, and assured her that in any case he expectedgood results for Melissa, for she was one of those who were the elect ofthe gods and whom they chose to be their instruments. And then herelated what wonderful influence she had over Caesar's sufferings, andpraised her with his usual enthusiastic warmth.
When Melissa returned, Philostratus had left the matron. She was againalone with Euryale, who reminded her of the lesson conveyed in theChristian words that she had explained to her yesterday. Every deed,every thought, had some influence on the way in which the fulfillment oftime would come for each one; and when the hour of death was over, noregrets, repentance, or e