The best will and the greatest prudence could not save her if she did not trust to a higher guidance; and then she asked the girl to whom she raised her heart when she prayed; and Melissa named Isis and other gods, and lastly the manes of her dead mother.
During this confession, old Adventus appeared, to summon the girl to his sovereign.

Melissa promised to follow him immediately; and, when the old man had gone, the matron said: "Few here pray to the same gods, and he whose worship my husband leads is not mine.

I, with several others, know that there is a Father in heaven who loves us men, his creatures, and guards us as his children.
You do not yet know him, and therefore you can not hope for anything from him; but if you will follow the advice of a friend, who was also once young, think in the future that your right hand is held firmly by the invisible, beloved hand of your mother.

Persuade yourself that she is by you, and take care that every word, yes, every glance, meets with her approval.

Then she will be there, and will protect you whenever you require her aid." Melissa sank on the breast of her kind friend, embracing her as closely and kissing her as sincerely as if she had been the beloved mother to whose care Euryale had commended her.
The counsels of this true friend agreed with those of her own heart, and so they must be right.