The monarch, fearing that she was about to enter on a subject which was the phantom of his soul, interrupted her;

"Thanks Salome; I always knew that your affection was such as a sister's should be, and that you would rejoice at every good which happened to me. How is my beloved Mariamne and my sons? I shall see her on the Palace top chiding my delay, and saying, 'Why does he tarry, why are his steeds so slow.' Let us hasten on, for I would meet my love with the speed of the mountain roe."

He touched his steed with the rowel, and would have bounded onward, if Salome had not arrested his speed, by saying;

"Ah, fleet must be the steed, my brother, that can overtake a treacherous woman.'

Herod stopped short, and exclaimed;

"The import of those words is treason to my ears. Did I hear rightly? Say-What would you mean?"

Salome affected grief, and replied;

Alas, I always told you that the Triumvir loved her."

The king interrupted her by saying with eager voice,

Parthian, and there may he rot. But why tell me that he loves my Mariamne?"

Salome turned aside, as she replied;

"I cannot be the unwelcome bearer of such intelligence. Go to Jerusalem, and you will soon be told it."

The king was, by this time, worked up to a degree of wrath, that made even Salome afraid, 1; for his colour came and went, and his eyes flashed fire, while his pale lips quivered as he muttered vengeance. Then, in a voice that made his sister start, he demanded;

By your loyalty I command you to disclose know."

you

At the same time he stopped his steed, and waved his hand for his retinue to retire. Salome had recovered her temporary alarm, and was again the cool determined revengeful spirit. She bowed her head, and replied;

"Since the king commands, I obey.—Mariamne, Alexandra, the faithful Babarrah, and

grateful Dermah, with others, have left Jerusalem, and sought the protection of the Roman Commander Julius, whom I heard had been in constant correspondence with Antony."

At these tidings the blood flushed his cheeks, anger fired his eyes, and he called out, as he dashed the spurs into his courser's sides;

"For Jerusalem."

Salome was left with hardly an attendant, and all were wondering what had happened to thus excite the monarch's wrath. This Erinnys began to repent that she had not told her tale so as to include more of the poison which she wished to instil. She had not long to regret her dulness; for in a few minutes Herod came riding towards her without any follower. His anger no longer seemed to agitate him like a tempest of the soul; his face was of an ashy paleness, his brows were lowering, his mouth drawn close, and determination painted on his countenance. He addressed his sister as he turned his horse to pursue the same route;

"Tell me all you know of these foul proceedings. My anger was justly excited and

nature in me will have her full sway for a time. I have my duties to fulfil, and so must be prepared. When did they leave Jerusalem? Why did they go to Julius, and not to Arabia with that old earless Priest?"

She replied with precision, tinctured with austerity;

"Sire, my affection made me desirous of gently and gradually touching the tenderest bonds of our nature, which, in you, have been so cruelly ungratefully lacerated. Now you

forget the close degree of kindred that we stand in, and above all my long-tried unvarying love, and command me to make known all I can tell as a secret of state, I shall obey my lord the king, though reluctantly, because it will fill his heart with grief and indignation. Alas, such cares are our daily lot."

"Sister, forgive my anger;-the facts, not you, excited it. I come to receive information from you, not to demand it. I am assured of your love, so freely tell me all that has happened, that my astonishment may not give my enemies cause to rejoice. My heart stops its beat that I

may listen. Come, Salome, be kind, and tell your wounded brother."

"Ah Herod," replied the artful woman," you ever held the reins of my heart and tongue, so I will obey you for once, reluctantly. Your death was reported; consternation and grief filled the city. Attendants hastened to the queen's apartments; she was found attired in her robes of state, sitting with anxious looks fixed upon her children, and so made the weeping women think that she had heard the dire report, and in excess of anguish had forgotten her dress and sleep, and come with instinctive fondness to her children. She started from the ground, and with a loud and wondering voice demanded the cause, when she heard it, she gave one shriek, seized the spear of some fierce Asmonean, and called aloud for Babarrah and for help, and vowed to defend herself and babes against the Egyptian queen and Antony. Babarrah was at hand, as if expecting to be summoned, and, without ceremony, entered your wife's apartment. In the same breath your queen ordered your uncle, whom you left procurator with her, to be seized and confined."