was promised. But for love of my father, and if I could be certain of
saving many from death and misery, I would stay, though I should despise
myself and be separated forever from my beloved!"

"Submit to the inevitable," interposed the philosopher, with eager
entreaty. "The immortal gods will reward you with the blessings of
hundreds whom a word from you will have saved from ruin and destruction."

"And what say you?" asked the maiden, gazing with anxious expectancy into
the matron's face. "Follow your own heart!" replied the lady, deeply
moved.

Melissa had hearkened to both counselors with eager ear, and both hung
anxiously on her lips, while, as if taken out of herself, she gazed with
panting bosom into the empty air. They had not long to wait. Suddenly
the maiden approached Philostratus and said with a firmness and decision
that astonished her friend:

"This will I do--this--I feel it here--this is the right. I remain,
I renounce the love of my heart, and accept what Fate has laid upon me.
It will be hard, and the sacrifice that I offer is great. But I must
first have the certainty that it shall not be in vain."

"But, child," cried Philostratus, "who can look into the future, and
answer for what is still to come?"

"Who?" asked Melissa, undaunted. "He alone in whose hand lies my future.
To Caesar himself I leave the decision. Go you to him now and speak
for me. Bring him greeting from me, and tell him that I, whom he honors
with his love, dare to entreat him modestly but earnestly not to punish