It was, in fact, no easy matter to get across the crowd which was pouring noisily down the street of Hermes, into which this narrow way led.  How ever, they achieved it, and when Melissa had recovered her breath in a quiet lane in Rhakotis, she turned to her companion again with the question, “And when do you suppose that your predictions will be fulfilled?”

“As soon as the breeze blows which shall shake the overripe fruit from the tree.  It may be tomorrow, or not yet, according to the long-suffering of the Most High.  But the entire collapse of the world in which we have been living is as certain to come as that you are walking here with me!”

Melissa walked on with a quaking heart, as she heard her friend’s tone of conviction; he, however, was aware that the inmost meaning of his words was sealed to her.  To his inquiry, whether she could not rejoice in the coming of the glorious time in store for redeemed humanity, she answered, tremulously: 

“All you hope for is glorious, no doubt, but what shall lead to it must be a terror to all.  Were you told of the kingdom of which you speak by an oracle, or is it only a picture drawn by your imagination, a vision, and the offspring of your soul’s desire?”

“Neither,” said Andreas, decidedly; and he went on in a louder voice:  “I know it by revelation.  Believe me, child, it is as certainly true as that the sun will set this night.  The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem stand open, and if you, too, would fain be blessed—­But more of this later.  Here we are at our journey’s end.”

They entered the Christian home, where they found Diodoros, on a comfortable couch, in a spacious, shady room, and in the care of a friendly matron.

But he was in an evil case.  The surgeon thought his wound a serious one; for the heavy stone which had hit him had injured the skull, and the unhappy youth was trembling with fever.  His head was burning, and it was with difficulty that he spoke a few coherent words.  But his eyes betrayed that he recognized Melissa, and that it was a joy to him to see her again; and when he was told that Alexander had so far escaped, a bright look lighted up his countenance.  It was evidently a comfort to him to gaze on Melissa’s pretty face; her hand lay in his, and he understood her when she greeted him from her father, and spoke to him of various matters; but the lids ere long closed over his aching eyes.

Melissa felt that she must leave him to rest.  She gently released his hand from her grasp and laid it across his breast, and moved no more, excepting to wipe the drops from his brow.  Solemn stillness had reigned for some time in the large, clean house, faintly smelling of lavender; but, on a sudden, doors opened and shut; steps were heard in the anteroom, seats were moved, and a loud confusion of men’s voices became audible, among them that of Andreas.

Melissa listened anxiously to the heated discussion which had already become a vehement quarrel.  She longed to implore the excited wranglers to moderate their tones, for she could see by her lover’s quivering lips that the noise hurt him; but she could not leave him.