She will allow you to find a home in some Christian house through our intervention, in acknowledgment of the pious service you are rendering, not to her but to the faith in divine goodness.

There you may live with your little brother, as free as heart can desire.

To-morrow you will go with Gorgo to the temple of the goddess ..." But Agne broke in on his speech: "No, I will not go with her!" Her cheeks were scarlet and her breath came short and fast with excitement as she went on: "I will not, I must not, I cannot! Do what you will with me: sell me and my brother, put us to turn a mill--but I will not sing in the temple!" Olympius knit his brows; his beard quivered and his lips parted in wrath, but he controlled himself and going close to the girl he laid his hand on her shoulder and said in a deep grave tone of fatherly admonition: "Reflect, child, pause; think over what I have been saying to you; remember, too, what you owe the little one you love, and to-morrow morning tell us that you have duly weighed your answer.

Give me your hand, my daughter; believe me, Olympius is one of your sincerest well-wishers." He turned his back on her and was going in doors.

In front of the house Porphyrius and Karnis were standing in eager colloquy.