The voyage was one of the speediest, yet the end came too soon for both master and servant—­Hermon had not yet heard enough of the friend beyond his reach, and Bias was far from having related everything he desired to tell about Myrtilus and Ledscha; yet he was now permitted to express every opinion that entered his mind, and this had occupied a great deal of time.

Bias also sought to know much more about Hermon’s past and future than he had yet learned, not merely from curiosity, but because he foresaw that Myrtilus would not cease to question him about his blind friend.

The misfortune must have produced a deep and lasting effect upon the artist’s joyous nature, for his whole bearing was pervaded by such earnestness and dignity that years, instead of months, seemed to have elapsed since their separation.

It was characteristic of Daphne that her lover’s blindness did not alienate her from him; yet why had not the girl, who still desired to become his wife, been able to wed the helpless man who had lost his sight?  If the father did not wish to be separated from his daughter, surely he could live with the young couple.  A home was quickly made everywhere for the rich, and, if Archias was tired of his house in Alexandria, as Hermon had intimated, there was room enough in the world for a new one.

But that was the way with things here below!  Man was the cause of man’s misfortune!  Daphne and Hermon remained the same; but Archias from an affectionate father had become transformed into an entirely different person.  If the former had been allowed to follow their inclinations, they would now be united and happy, while, because a third person so willed, they must go their way solitary and wretched.

He expressed this view to his master, and insisted upon his opinion until Hermon confided to him what had driven Archias from Alexandria.

Patran, Bias’s successor, was by no means satisfactory to him.  Had Hermon retained his sight, he certainly would not have purchased him, in spite of his skill as a scribe, for the Egyptian had a “bad face.”

Oh, if only he could have been permitted to stay with his benefactor instead of this sullen man!  How carefully he would have removed the stones from his darkened pathway!

During the voyage he was obliged to undergo severe struggles to keep the oath of secrecy imposed upon him; but perjury threatened him with the most horrible tortures, not to mention the sorceress Tabus, whom he was to meet.

So Myrtilus’s abode remained unknown to Hermon.

Bias approved his master’s intention of going into the desert.  He had often seen the oracle of Amon tested, and he himself had experienced the healthfulness of the desert air.  Besides, it made him proud to see that Hermon was disposed to follow his suggestion of pitching his tent in a spot which he designated.  This was at the end of the arm of the sea at Clysma.  Several trees grew there beside small springs, and a peaceful family of Amalekites raised vegetables in their little garden, situated on higher ground, watered by the desert wells.