‘He is of Athens,’ answered Julia, looking down.

‘Ha!’ cried the Egyptian, impetuously, as the blood rushed to his cheek; ’there is but one Athenian, young and noble, in Pompeii.  Can it be Glaucus of whom thou speakest!’

‘Ah! betray me not—­so indeed they call him.’

The Egyptian sank back, gazing vacantly on the averted face of the merchant’s daughter, and muttering inly to himself:  this conference, with which he had hitherto only trifled, amusing himself with the credulity and vanity of his visitor—­might it not minister to his revenge?’

‘I see thou canst assist me not,’ said Julia, offended by his continued silence; ‘guard at least my secret.  Once more, farewell!’

‘Maiden,’ said the Egyptian, in an earnest and serious tone, ’thy suit hath touched me—­I will minister to thy will.  Listen to me; I have not myself dabbled in these lesser mysteries, but I know one who hath.  At the base of Vesuvius, less than a league from the city, there dwells a powerful witch; beneath the rank dews of the new moon, she has gathered the herbs which possess the virtue to chain Love in eternal fetters.  Her art can bring thy lover to thy feet.  Seek her, and mention to her the name of Arbaces:  she fears that name, and will give thee her most potent philtres.’

‘Alas!’ answered Julia, I know not the road to the home of her whom thou speakest of:  the way, short though it be, is long to traverse for a girl who leaves, unknown, the house of her father.  The country is entangled with wild vines, and dangerous with precipitous caverns.  I dare not trust to mere strangers to guide me; the reputation of women of my rank is easily tarnished—­and though I care not who knows that I love Glaucus, I would not have it imagined that I obtained his love by a spell.’

‘Were I but three days advanced in health,’ said the Egyptian, rising and walking (as if to try his strength) across the chamber, but with irregular and feeble steps, ’I myself would accompany thee.  Well, thou must wait.’

‘But Glaucus is soon to wed that hated Neapolitan.’

‘Wed!’

‘Yes; in the early part of next month.’

‘So soon!  Art thou well advised of this?’

‘From the lips of her own slave.’

‘It shall not be!’ said the Egyptian, impetuously.  ’Fear nothing, Glaucus shall be thine.  Yet how, when thou obtainest it, canst thou administer to him this potion?’

’My father has invited him, and, I believe, the Neapolitan also, to a banquet, on the day following to-morrow:  I shall then have the opportunity to administer it.’

‘So be it!’ said the Egyptian, with eyes flashing such fierce joy, that Julia’s gaze sank trembling beneath them.  ’To-morrow eve, then, order thy litter—­thou hast one at thy command?’

‘Surely—­yes,’ returned the purse-proud Julia.