The Sisters, v1

of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind wo

ghts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a

p. If they had sometimes an hour for idle chat Klea ever and again would tell some story of their old home, and Irene, who even within the solemn walls of the temple of Serapis sought and found many innocent pleasures, would listen to her willingly, and interrupt her wi

lly sunk and her drooping eyelids had closed, her lips now and then puckered and twitched as if with grief; then her features grew tranquil, her lips parted softly and a smile gently lighte

s, her cheeks glowed, and at last she raised both hands as if to defend herself and stammered out in her dream, "No, no, certainly not-pray, do not! my love-" Then her arm fell again by her side, and dropping on the chest on which she was sitting, the blow woke her. She slowly opened her eyes with a happy smile; then she raised her long silken l

g we should drive far, far from our thoughts? I could hate myself, despise and hate myself for the sake of those dreams since, wretch that I a

r temples; then again her arms dropped languidly into her lap, a

the violets. Did I even turn away my face or punish his boldness with an angry look? Is it not sometimes possible to drive away an enemy with a glance? I have often succeeded when a man has looked after us; but yesterday I could not, and I was as wide awake then as I am at this moment. What does the stranger want with me? What is it he asks with his penetrating glance, which for days has followed me wherever I turn,

have had a favorable effect on her spirit, for she paused, and the bitter expression her

wretched so long as I have

of the temple-servants to lay before the altar of Serapis, and now as she came into the room she hid th

, what hav

s from Serapion

t it feel as soft as one of little Philo's cheeks? If I could always provide such a substitute you would wish I might eat up your breakfast every day

imson, and she said s

you kn

tone, for her sister's eyes were fixed upon her with an express

e the violets

ted to give it me, but the Greek-a handsome, merry man-would not permit it, and laid the flower

sharply; then, looking down, she asked in a

the tears coming into my eyes. What have you to do with the Roman? I feel so anxious, so frightened-as I do sometimes when a storm is gathering and I am afraid of it. And how pale your l

t up to her, stroked her soft hair fro

dow my heart, the blue sky would shine again with me as soon as it does with you. Now dry your eyes, go up to th

's gay acquaintance, and turning back into the room she laid her pomegranate-blossom in the little bowl out of which she had formerly taken the violets, kissed her sister as gaily as ever

s like an insult. Then, while the cat bore off her welcome spoils into a corner, she clutched a peach and raised her hand to fling it away through a gap in the roof of the room; but she did not carry out her

e threw away my violets, for that would be a sin. All is over between him and me, and if he appears to-day in the procession, and if he chooses to look at me again I will compel my eyes to avoid meeting his-aye, that I will, and

knees before the chest, pressed her brow

s; for strength to forget the man who had

gain and again the image of the young Roman came across Klea's prayers for release from that very thought, and at last it seemed to her that she was like a man who strives to raise a block of stone by the exertion of his utmost strength, and who weary at last of lif

ter, and tightened the straps of her sandals to go to the temple; near the god hi

s put off, on account of the procession which was fixed for four hours af

, water will be wanted again

temple will soon be empty on account of the procession. A few jars-full will be enough. The