Then replied the chief Megabyzus:
'Have we an artist in Ephesus who could do justice to our noble queen?'
'We have,' said Varro; 'Chios the Greek. This is he.'
'Good, most esteemed Proconsul, but remember it is enacted that the High Priestess cannot leave the precincts of the Temple to sit for this picture.'
'That we know, and to this end have secured the help of Chios, who knows well the face of great Saronia, and he has almost finished the work. Wouldst thou, in the name of the goddess, accept it from my hands?'
'We will, and mayest thou, good artist, prosper in thy work, and consider thyself fortunate that this honour is conferred on thee, the honour of immortalizing the loveliest woman since the time of Helen.'
'Most noble priest, I am thine humble servant, and reverence thy creed.'
But as Chios raised his eyes to those of Megabyzus, he saw them filled with a strange fire—eyes like those of an evil spirit, gleaming behind the living windows of darkling hue. It was but for a moment, and the priest turned to Saronia, saying:
'Thy consent to us already has been given. Wouldst thou speak to these noble friends?'
Then the girl, in her beauty and power, addressed the Roman in accents sweet and queenly, thanking him for the gift; and, looking on Chios as if she had never before seen him, said: