1832.] A Legend of the Egean. 189 



" Oh, Aphelia !" murmured an exquisite voice near her, "the sight 

 of beauty thus employed must needs be acceptable to Heaven !" 



Again the maiden sunk on her knees, and bowed her forehead to the 

 earth, she knew not why. As she did so, she felt as if fond arms were 

 exerted to raise her; and the same delicious accents continued. 



" But that thou canst fear, I would not call aught so lovely mortal. 

 Look up, dear, pious maid ! though a stranger, I am not an enemy ; 

 speak to me, Aphelia \" 



Trembling in his support, she turned her tearful regards towards 

 him ; but oh, the glorious eyes which were feasting on her blushing 

 face ! Her own fell again to his feet ; but though pride, awe, wonder, 

 and gratitude, oppressed her spirit, yet, in that instant's glance, she had 

 taken in an image, which her senses had carried to her heart, forbidding 

 it to dread. 



Never had she conceived aught so majestic, so divinely propor- 

 tioned, as that boyish, and plainly-attired form. The fair and blooming 

 face was smooth as that of womanhood ; the features, though regular to 

 a perfection such as she had not even imagined, were o'er-informed 

 with varied expression, the wild, golden curls encircling them like 

 rays. At his side hung his lyre, his bow and quiver. Aphelia felt as 

 if her heart was melting away. 



" Heiress of a strange but splendid doom !" cried the youth, " I have 

 been sent far, a willing wanderer, in search of thee, and came to thine 

 abode with Eobardus ; thou wert not there ; so, leaving the good old 

 man to rest his limbs, I sought thee here, but would not disturb the 

 rites in which I saw thee occupied. Behold one free from the selfishness 

 of passion ; if thy heart hath already selected its mate, I may soon have 

 the power to crown thy choice with competence." 



ee Doth not my lord know/' she answered, in a low voice, " how little 

 the gifts of Hymen or of Plutus tempt his servant ?" 



" Nay, speak as to one more humble than thyself, and tell me how 

 canst thou, so delicate, so queenly, bear to labour for thy bread in 

 obscurity r" 



" It is the will of the gods ; and while my life is spotless, I am con- 

 tent." 



" Hath then Aphelia no wish ?" 



ce My master knows I have." 



" Name it, as to a friend who may not guess, yet burns to gratify it." 



" I pant to be more wise, more good. If thou wilt make me so, I will 

 bless thee." 



" Come with me, then, to Eobardus." 



The priest received them with delight ; and though he called this 

 wonder nothing but Myrtillo, the maiden perceived that he treated the 

 youth with great reverence. 



" Wilt thou not offer thy poor guest aught wherewith to refresh him ?" 

 asked Myrtillo, gaily. 



Aphelia spread her board with simple dainties, and would fain have 

 served him like a menial, but he would not permit this, so the wrinkled 

 Phrosyne stole from her the honour of waiting on their mysterious visit- 

 ant, whose every look and word betrayed the soaring, the refined nature 

 of his soul. Sometimes he took his lyre, and sung to her lays, in which 

 reason and honour seemed to have been arrayed in words by the Graces : 

 then talked he to her of Pallas, and the Nine ; of the independence 



