When he turned to her again his amorous eyes met Melissa's.
She looked down in startled alarm.

Was it for her sake that Caesar had thus decked himself and looked in the mirror?
It seemed scarcely possible, and yet it flattered and pleased her.

But in the next instant she longed more fervently than she ever had before for a magic charm by which she might vanish and be borne far, far away from this dreadful man.

In fancy she saw the vessel which the lady Berenike had in readiness.

She would, she must fly hence, even if it should part her for a time from Diodoros.
Did Caracalla read her thought?
Nay, he could not see through her; so she endured his gaze, tempting him to speak; and his heart beat high with hope as he fancied he saw that she was beginning to be affected by his intense agitation.