They were not kept long waiting outside the house of Proterius, for Andreas was in the vestibule arranging the litter for the conveyance of Diodoros, with the willing help of Ptolemaeus.  The freedman was indeed amazed when he heard Melissa’s voice, and blamed her for this fresh adventure.  However, he was glad to see her, for, although it seemed almost beyond the bounds of possibility, he had already fancied more than once, as steps had approached and passed, that she must surely be coming to lend him a helping hand.

It was easy to hear in his tone of voice that her bold venture was at least as praiseworthy as it was blameworthy in his eyes, and the grave man was as cheerful as he commonly was only when among his flowers.  Never before had Melissa heard a word of compliment from his lips, but as Agatha stood with one arm round Melissa’s shoulders, he said to the physician, as he pointed to the pair, “Like two roses on one stem!”

He had good reason, indeed, to be content.  Diodoros was no worse, and Galen was certainly expected to visit the sick in the Serapeum.  He regarded it, too, as a dispensation from Heaven that Agatha and Melissa should have happened to meet, and Alexander’s happy escape had taken a weight from his mind.  He willingly acceded to Melissa’s request that he would take her and Agatha to see the sick man; but he granted them only a short time to gaze at the sleeper, and then requested the deaconess to find a room for the two damsels, who needed rest.

The worthy woman rose at once; but Melissa urgently entreated to be allowed to remain by her lover’s side, and glanced anxiously at the keys in the matron’s hand.

At this Andreas whispered to her:  “You are afraid lest I should prevent your coming with us?  But it is not so; and, indeed, of what use would it be?  You made your way past the guards to the senator’s coach; you came across the lake, and through the darkness and the drunken rabble in the streets; if I were to lock you in, you would be brave enough to jump out of the window.  No, no; I confess you have conquered my objections—­indeed, if you should now refuse your assistance, I should be obliged to crave it.  But Ptolemaeus wishes to leave Diodoros quite undisturbed till daybreak.  He is now gone to the Serapeum to find a good place for him.  You, too, need rest, and you shall be waked in good time.  Go, now, with Dame Katharine.—­As to your relations,” he added, to Agatha, “do not be uneasy.  A boy is already on his way to your father, to tell him where you are for the night.”

The deaconess led the two girls to a room where there was a large double bed.  Here the new friends stretched their weary limbs; but, tired as they were, neither of them seemed disposed to sleep; they were so happy to have found each other, and had so much to ask and tell each other!  As soon as Katharine had lighted a three-branched lamp she left them to themselves, and then their talk began.