What then were Nydia’s emotions! she had connived, she had assisted, in tearing Glaucus from Ione; but only to transfer, by all the power of magic, his affections yet more hopelessly to another.  Her heart swelled almost to suffocation—­she gasped for breath—­in the darkness of the vehicle, Julia did not perceive the agitation of her companion; she went on rapidly dilating on the promised effect of her acquisition, and on her approaching triumph over Ione, every now and then abruptly digressing to the horror of the scene she had quitted—­the unmoved mien of Arbaces, and his authority over the dreadful Saga.

Meanwhile Nydia recovered her self-possession:  a thought flashed across her:  she slept in the chamber of Julia—­she might possess herself of the potion.

They arrived at the house of Diomed, and descended to Julia’s apartment, where the night’s repast awaited them.

’Drink, Nydia, thou must be cold, the air was chill to-night; as for me, my veins are yet ice.’

And Julia unhesitatingly quaffed deep draughts of the spiced wine.

‘Thou hast the potion,’ said Nydia; ’let me hold it in my hands.  How small the phial is! of what color is the draught?’

‘Clear as crystal,’ replied Julia, as she retook the philtre; ’thou couldst not tell it from this water.  The witch assures me it is tasteless.  Small though the phial, it suffices for a life’s fidelity:  it is to be poured into any liquid; and Glaucus will only know what he has quaffed by the effect.’

‘Exactly like this water in appearance?’

’Yes, sparkling and colorless as this.  How bright it seems! it is as the very essence of moonlit dews.  Bright thing! how thou shinest on my hopes through thy crystal vase!’

‘And how is it sealed?’

’But by one little stopper—­I withdraw it now—­the draught gives no odor.  Strange, that that which speaks to neither sense should thus command all!’

‘Is the effect instantaneous?’

‘Usually—­but sometimes it remains dormant for a few hours.’

‘Oh, how sweet is this perfume!’ said Nydia, suddenly, as she took up a small bottle on the table, and bent over its fragrant contents.

’Thinkest thou so? the bottle is set with gems of some value.  Thou wouldst not have the bracelet yestermorn—­wilt thou take the bottle?’

’It ought to be such perfumes as these that should remind one who cannot see of the generous Julia.  If the bottle be not too costly...’

‘Oh!  I have a thousand costlier ones:  take it, child!’

Nydia bowed her gratitude, and placed the bottle in her vest.

‘And the draught would be equally efficacious, whoever administers it?’

’If the most hideous hag beneath the sun bestowed it, such is its asserted virtue that Glaucus would deem her beautiful, and none but her!’

Julia, warmed by wine, and the reaction of her spirits, was now all animation and delight; she laughed loud, and talked on a hundred matters—­nor was it till the night had advanced far towards morning that she summoned her slaves and undressed.