lover, she would be able to tame this ungovernable being and soothe his
fury, and would gain in return for a sacrifice such as many had made
before her, the blissful consciousness of having rendered an inestimable
service to the whole world. For by her means and her love, the imperial
tyrant would be transformed into a beneficent ruler. The blessing of the
thousands whom she could protect and save would make the hardest task
sweet and endurable.

Here Philostratus paused, and gazed inquiringly at her; but she only
shook her head gently, and answered:

"My brain is so confused that I can scarcely hear even, but I feel that
your words are well meant and wise. What you put before me would
certainly be worth considering if there were anything left for me to
consider about. I have promised myself to another, who is more to me
than all the world--more than the gratitude and blessings of endangered
lives of which I know nothing. I am but a poor girl who only asks to be
happy. Neither gods nor men expect more of me than that I should do my
duty toward those whom I love. And, then, who can say for certain that I
should succeed in persuading Caesar to carry out my desires, whatever
they might be?"

"We were witnesses of the power you exercised over him," replied the
philosopher; but Melissa shook her head, and continued eagerly: "No, no!
he only values in me the hand that eases his pain and want of sleep. The
love which he may feel for me makes him neither gentler nor better. Only
an hour or two before he declared that his heart was inclined to me, he
had Titianus murdered!"

"One word from you," the philosopher assured her, "and it would never