in the orchards above Ravenna!'



CHAPTER IV: MIRIAM


One morning in the same week, Hypatia's favourite maid entered her
chamber with a somewhat terrified face.

'The old Jewess, madam--the hag who has been watching so often
lately under the wall opposite. She frightened us all out of our
senses last evening by peeping in. We all said she had the evil
eye, if any one ever had--'

'Well, what of her?'

'She is below, madam, and will speak with you. Not that I care for
her; I have my amulet on. I hope you have?'

'Silly girl! Those who have been initiated as I have in the
mysteries of the gods, can defy spirits and command them. Do you
suppose that the favourite of Pallas Athene will condescend to
charms and magic? Send her up.'

The girl retreated, with a look half of awe, half of doubt, at the
lofty pretensions of her mistress, and returned with old Miriam,
keeping, however, prudently behind her, in order to test as little
as possible the power of her own amulet by avoiding the basilisk eye
which had terrified her.