It was merely as a patient wishes for the physician, she assured herself, that the emperor wished for her presence--Philostratus had understood that.

During the night she had certainly been seized with great fears, but, as she now thought, without any cause.

What she really had to dread was that she might be falsely judged by his followers; still, she cared nothing about all these Romans.

However, she would beg Euryale to see Diodoros, and to tell him what forced her to obey the emperor's summons, if he should send for her.

It was highly probable that the sick man had been informed of her interview with Caracalla, and, as her betrothed, he must be told how she felt toward Caesar; for this was his right, and jealous agitation might injure him.
Her face so expressed the hope and confidence of a pure heart that when, after a little time, she withdrew, Euryale said to the philosopher: "We must not alarm her more! Her trustful innocence perhaps may protect her better than anxious precautions." And Philostratus agreed, and assured her that in any case he expected good results for Melissa, for she was one of those who were the elect of the gods and whom they chose to be their instruments.