The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

from her fathers' leering countenance , " what means this senseless ribalding ?" "'Tis easy told . Our fortune is spent , and Balbus cannot supply us with more money . " " Ah ! wherefore not ?"

" Because he has now none to give us . " " What , is he ruined too ?" " He is dead , my child , do you not see how we are sorrowing for him ?" " Dead , " ejaculated Phryne , " dead ?"

" Yes , Trajan discovered some peccadilloes of his , and after haviug had him beaten with rods , he shortened him by the head . " " Ah , then his forebodings of last night have come true . The augury has struck down one . "

" Yes , and he was the victim for us . " ' Hum , perhaps , " answered Phryne coldly , then abruptly , " so we are beggars . " ( l Not yet , dear Phryne , " said Lais , " while we have you to fish up gold for us . You are a fair bait to hook a goodly fish like Caius . "

"Oh , oh ! a goodly fish he is , " cried Murfcius , rubbing his hands in glee , and leering satyr-like at Phryne . " He is very rich , the richest bachelor in Rome . Balbus told me so , ancl Balbus knewright well . His proud uncle , a ! so , from the province comes

laden with gold and precious gems , and Caius is his heir . Rich , he is a Crcosus of wealth , and we'll all be rich ; ancl thou , so beautiful , wilt take the first place among the Roman dames . Be haughty with them , girl , " he added , in a proud

tone , while a flush of fire lighted up his countenance , recalling a faint shadow of his former majestic features , now bloated with the lees of many a wild debauch . " Be haughty , girl , " he continued , pacing the room with impatient steps ,

" spare not the taunt and gibe . Remember that ihou art a Greek , though Greece is now no more . Once she was mistress of the world , when Alexander wept beside the sea , that the whole world was beneath his heel . "

Phryne had turned away as her father spoke , with a bitter smile upon her face , unremarked by him , but closely noted by Lais , who hissed in her ear . " Look at me , girl , and mark my words

attentively . There is no joy or care for us in thine eyes at theso tidings . Art thou sad , because through thee we will be saved from beggary , because through thee we have fallen upon an endless mine , or dost thou meditate some treachery towards us ? I bid thee beware of any such thought .

With thee we rise , with thee we fall ; but mark me , fall together . Clear thy brows . Methinks we understand each other now . " " We do , " replied Phryne , looking Lais fair in the eyes , and speaking in a dry clear tone that

startled her , "Fear me not . We rise or fall together—live and die together . You will not starve , fear not that . Henceforth earth will have little of dread to terrify you with thoughts of hunger . "

" She means mischief , " thought Lais . " I must watch her carefully , or she will slip through my fingers . ' ' " To table , " cried Phryne . " Come . See the banquet is spread . Let us eat aud drink , and

revel in the anticipation of future joys . " "Are the slaves away ? " asked Lais . " They are . The Ostiarius had my directions to make holiday when you arrived . He was the last to go , and I heard him shut the door . "

" Good . We need entertain no fear of interruption , unless your lover , Caius , calls . " "He will not call to-night . "

Murtius had thrown himself down upon a couch , and pouring out a goblet of wine , said to Phryne" Pledge me , my girl . I ever loved thee best . Thou hast no ill-timed prudery , which thy sister

feigns . " "At what a price , " thought Phryne , "has my confidence been purchased ?" "But where isMyra ? " asked Murtius , petulantly . " Is she not at home ?"

" No , she has gone to visit Lucidora . " "A noble dame , though somewhat after the Lucretian school . 'Tis all the better that she is

away . Never frown , Lais , the sentiment springs from my heart . I cannot eat , or drink , or sing a song when she is by , but thou must snarl at me . A pale faced chit , " he continued impatiently , " She is no true child of mine . "

" Was not my fate , thought Lias , " bound up with his , I would poison the hoary satyr . He , my Myra ' s sire ? I would grind her down into the very kennel's mire , and lay her honour lower than I have done her haughty sister ' s , were she

not all that I have left of my loved , my lost Cleomones . " Recovering herself with an effort , she said calmly : " Thou art right , Murtius , she is better absent ; but you leave the red god Bacchus priestless . Fill up your goblet . It is rare good wine . A noble banquet , too . Thou displayest a