'I swear by Chios and Saronia, mortals like myself, that I will be true, true. Can I be true? No, no, no, I will not betray them. That is all!
'What a curse hangs over this beautiful place! I heard that strange man tell Chios the great city shall die. I know a sibyl has spoken, "That the earth opening and quaking, the Temple of Diana would be swallowed like a ship in a storm into the abyss, and Ephesus, lamenting by the river banks, would inquire for it then inhabited no more." And, who knows, she may be true! What care I? Endora will be far hence. I have to do with the present. I have come to watch for the white sails of the Roman fleet bringing back the Proconsul. I know they are near, expected to-day.
'Now one long gaze out over the great, cloud-mirroring sea. My eyes are keen. No, they come not, and I go hence.'
She turned landward and saw Saronia.
She cowered towards the sea-flower-blooming sward as the priestess said:
'What doest thou here, woman?'
'Naught, my lady, but for the gathering of fragrant herbs.'
'Thou liest. The wild thyme and its fellows grow not upon this breezy crag, ever washed by the salt sea foam; but, stay, Endora—I know thy name. I would speak with thee. Once when I was a slave thou wert good to me, and told me my star was rising full of splendour. How didst thou know?'
'Noble lady, I spoke not of my own knowledge, but as the spirit prompted me.'
'Again, when thou helped me to escape my persecutors, what impelled thee?'