With this he walked out of the half-dark corridor into the open court-yard, in front of his children.  Here he looked at his daughter, who was breathing fast, and evidently prepared to resist to the last.  And as he beheld her in Korinna’s white and costly robes, like a noble priestess, it occurred to him that even before his captivity she had ceased to be the humble, unquestioning instrument of his capricious temper.  Into what a haughty beauty the quiet embroideress had been transformed!

By all the gods!  Caracalla had no cause to be ashamed of such an empress.

And, unaccustomed as he was to keep back anything whatever from his children, he began to express these sentiments.  But he did not get far, for the hour for the morning meal being just over, the court-yard began to fill from all sides with officials and servants of the temple.  So, father and son silently followed the maiden through the crowded galleries and apartments, into the house of the highpriest.

Here they were received by Philostratus, who hardly gave Melissa time to greet the lady Euryale before he informed her, but with unwonted hurry and excitement, that the emperor was awaiting her with impatience.

The philosopher motioned to her to follow him, but she clung, as if seeking help, to her brother, and cried:  “I will not go again to Caracalla!  You are the kindest and best of them all, Philostratus, and you will understand me.  Evil will come of it if I follow you—­I can not go again to Caesar.”

But it was impossible for the courtier to yield to her, in the face of his monarch’s direct commands; therefore, hard as it was to him, he said, resolutely:  “I well understand what holds you back; still, if you would not ruin yourself and your family, you must submit.  Besides which, you know not what Caesar is about to offer you-fortunate, unhappy child!”

“I know—­oh, I know it!” sobbed Melissa; “but it is just that . . .  I have served the emperor willingly, but before I consent become the wife of such a monster—­”

“She is right,” broke in Euryale, and drew Melissa toward her.  But the philosopher took the girl’s hand and said, kindly:—­“You must come with me now, my child, and pretend that you know nothing of Caesar’s intentions toward you.  It is the only way to save you.  But while you are with the emperor, who, in any case, can devote but a short time to you to-day, I will return here and consult with your people.  There is much to be decided, of the greatest moment, and not to you alone.”  Melissa turned with tearful eyes to Euryale, and questioned her with a look; whereupon the lady drew the girl’s hand out of that of the philosopher, and saying to him, “She shall be with you directly,” took her away to her own apartment.

Here she begged Melissa to dry her eyes, and arranging the girl’s hair and robe with her own hands, she promised to do all in her power to facilitate her flight.  She must do her part now by going into Caesar’s presence as frankly as she had done yesterday and the day before.  She might be quite easy; her interests were being faithfully watched over.