As Melissa's imploring eyes met her own, she said, with clear decision: "Wait here.

We shall see who it is that Caesar sends.

I know better than my lord here what it is to see those dear to us in peril.

How old are you, child ?" "Eighteen," replied Melissa.
"Eighteen ?" repeated Berenike, as if the word were a pain to her, for her daughter had been just of that age.

Then she said, louder and with encouraging kindness: "All that lies in my power shall be done for you and yours .-- And you, Coeranus, must help me." "If I can," he replied, "with all the zeal of my reverence for you and my admiration for beauty.