1832.] A Legend of the Egean. 191 



together, " I am called so much from thee by day, that I would thy 

 home was my own. Send me hence no more, lest I return not again. 

 Dost thou not love me ?" 



" Oh ! my patron, my benefactor, my governor and guide !" she 

 answered firmly, "thou art my spirit's light, and vital heat; yet I 

 would rather meet thee no longer, than unworthily retain thee. Be this 

 interview our last, if my words displease. I will not tempt the Fates by 

 presumption, nor aid my lord to offend a higher power ; yet if thou 

 knowest it to be right that I should consent, Eobardus will know it also. 

 Love like mine deserves his blessing ; without it, let me remain thy 

 maiden slave." 



Myrtillo, with a wondering smile, led her to the temple ; its priest, 

 after due prayers, uniting their hands, assured the bride that Juno 

 sanctioned these nuptials. 



" Ambitious visionary !" whispered Myrtillo, on their way home, 

 " the realities of life will sorely try this dream-love of thine." 



Fearful changes, indeed, befel them. All at once his mystic treasures 

 seemed to fail him, and he was forced to toil, with his fair partner, 

 through the cold rainy season, upon scanty food. Of the villagers, some 

 pitied, some neglected, others reviled them ; even Eobardus could do 

 nothing to ameliorate their wants. Myrtillo' s cheek thinned, his com- 

 plexion tarnished ; nay, he would sometimes treat his wife with indif- 

 ference, almost harshness ; yet, strange to say, she loved him more 

 devotedly, more happily than ever, and would exclaim, with a fervor 

 unfelt before, " Oh, dearer for each imperfection ! mine equal ! my 

 fellow-being ! my husband ! thou canst suffer with me ; thou wilt never 

 leave me, but requite this zeal, when our locks are grey. Thrice wel- 

 come, poverty, that unteaches me my fears ! Yet we shall be rich, 

 beloved ! for we shall be parents." 



Nevertheless, he would turn from her cheering smiles with a doubtful 

 sigh; but the strength, the sweetness of her patience failed not; even 

 when surrounded by fears and pains, she became a mother. Her boy 

 was strong as the young Alcides, handsome as a demi-god ; and Myr- 

 tillo embraced them both with so exultant a delight, that she fancied 

 herself more dear to him than ever. 



Scarce was she again in her garden, the sweetest flower it had ever 

 seen, when her husband, with a thoughtful aspect, addressed her. 



" Aphelia ! thy poor and lowly love must seek his fortunes other 

 where." 



" Wheresover it pleaseth thee to lead, we will follow/' she answered. 



" Pardoning creature ! yet, how must thou regret that thou didst 

 not wed the rich, the equable Alexis !" 



The wife looked on him upbraidingly, but only sighed forth 



" I have worshipped thee as a divinity, I have loved thee as a mortal. 

 I must obey thee in all things, and ought to blame thee in none. Cease 

 thou to care for me, I will never complain ; but doubt not my truth, 

 oh, Myrtillo ! if thou wouldst that we should still live in peace together." 



(c Nay," returned he, " nothing but misfortune hath followed the 

 blendure of our destinies. What if I disunite them ?" 



" Wayward man, thou canst not," she replied, sportively, holding her 

 infant towards its sire. .ioiifw 



" But I may leave thee woman !" he answered coldly. 



She did not weep, but pressing her babe to her bosom, uttered slowly 



