She shook her head, and said sadly—
"No. Flashes of light, allusions, hints, as always, elsewhere."
"Speak on! Tell me all," implored the Emperor, his eyes brilliant with hope and gratitude.
"How can I?" she answered slowly. "For, my friend, I was seeking the freedom of the soul; but it has no existence here!"
"Yes, yes! is not that true?" cried Julian, exultant. "That was what I told you, Arsinoë."
She seated herself on a stool covered with a leopardskin, and continued her tale calmly, with the same sad smile, Julian listening in an avidity of joy....
"Tell me, how did you leave those unhappy desert-folk?" demanded Julian.
"I was tempted once," replied Arsinoë; "once in the desert among the rocks I found a fragment of white marble. I picked it up and long wondered at it, sparkling in the sun, and suddenly I remembered Athens, my youth, my art, and you! I awoke, and I decided to return to the world, to live and die as God had created me; as an artist. At that moment the old Didimus had a vision in which I was the means of reconciling you with the Galilean...."
"With the Galilean!" ejaculated the Emperor.