Galenus nodded approvingly, and replied: 

“I thank you, in the name of my imperial patient.—­Well, send me your portrait; but let it be soon, for I embark before sunset.  I shall like to remember you.  As to Caesar’s sufferings, they are so severe, your tender soul would not wish your worst enemy to know such pain.  My art has few means of mitigating them, and the immortals are little inclined to lighten the load they have laid on this man.  Of the millions who tremble before him, not one prays or offers sacrifice of his own free-will for the prosperity of the monarch.”

A flash of enthusiasm sparkled in Melissa’s eye, but Galenus did not heed it; he briefly bade her farewell and turned away to devote himself to other patients.

“There is one, at any rate,” thought she, as she looked after the physician, “who will pray and sacrifice for that unhappy man.  Diodoros will not forbid it, I am sure.”

She turned to Andreas and desired him to take her to her lover.  Diodoros was now really sleeping, and did not feel the kiss she breathed on his fore head.  He had all her love; the suffering criminal she only pitied.

When they had quitted the temple she pressed her hand to her bosom and drew a deep breath as if she had just been freed from prison.

“My head is quite confused,” she said, “by the heavy perfume and so much anxiety and alarm; but O Andreas, my heart never beat with such joy and gratitude!  Now I must collect my thoughts, and get home to do what is needful for Philip.  And merciful gods! that good-natured old Roman, Samonicus, will soon be expecting me at the Temple of Aphrodite; see how high the sun is already.  Let us walk faster, for, to keep him waiting—­”

Andreas here interrupted her, saying, “If I am not greatly mistaken, there is the Roman, in that open chariot, coming down the incline.”

He was right; a few minutes later the chariot drew up close to Melissa, and she managed to tell Samonicus all that had happened in so courteous and graceful a manner that, far from being offended, he could wish every success to the cure his great friend had begun.  And indeed his promise had somewhat weighed upon his mind, for to carry out two undertakings in one day was too much, at his age, and he had to be present in the evening at a banquet to which Caesar had invited himself in the house of Seleukus the merchant.”

“The high-priest’s brother?” asked Melissa, in surprise, for death had but just bereft that house of the only daughter.

“The same,” said the Roman, gayly.  Then he gave her his hand, with the assurance that the thought of her would make it a pleasure to remember Alexandria.

As she clasped his hand, Andreas came up, bowed gravely, and asked whether it would be overbold in him, as a faithful retainer of the maiden’s family, to crave a favor, in her name, of Caesar’s illustrious and familiar friend.