Edward Bulwer-Lytton: The Last Days of Pompeii

BOOK THE FOURTH 15. Chapter XV (continued)

Strange convulsions shook the frame of the Egyptian; his features worked fearfully--he turned his face aside, and said, in a hollow voice, 'If I could save him, even now, I would; but the Roman law is stern and sharp. Yet if I could succeed--if I could rescue and set him free--wouldst thou be mine--my bride?'

'Thine?' repeated Ione, rising: 'thine!--thy bride? My brother's blood is unavenged: who slew him? O Nemesis, can I even sell, for the life of Glaucus, thy solemn trust? Arbaces--thine? Never.'

'Ione, Ione!' cried Arbaces, passionately; 'why these mysterious words?--why dost thou couple my name with the thought of thy brother's death?'

'My dreams couple it--and dreams are from the gods.'

'Vain fantasies all! Is it for a dream that thou wouldst wrong the innocent, and hazard thy sole chance of saving thy lover's life?'

'Hear me!' said Ione, speaking firmly, and with a deliberate and solemn voice: 'If Glaucus be saved by thee, I will never be borne to his home a bride. But I cannot master the horror of other rites: I cannot wed with thee. Interrupt me not; but mark me, Arbaces!--if Glaucus die, on that same day I baffle thine arts, and leave to thy love only my dust! Yes--thou mayst put the knife and the poison from my reach--thou mayst imprison--thou mayst chain me, but the brave soul resolved to escape is never without means. These hands, naked and unarmed though they be, shall tear away the bonds of life. Fetter them, and these lips shall firmly refuse the air. Thou art learned--thou hast read how women have died rather than meet dishonour. If Glaucus perish, I will not unworthily linger behind him. By all the gods of the heaven, and the ocean, and the earth, I devote myself to death! I have said!'

High, proud, dilating in her stature, like one inspired, the air and voice of Ione struck an awe into the breast of her listener.