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ARIADNE. 155of tlie Nonii, to the spot where whatIhad onceowned was standing, between the radiated jasperof the Assyrian basin,and the yellowmarble oftheVolscian Jove; near the grand bust of Cæsaras high pontiff, and the sculptured legend ofAlkestis, which Evhodus has inscribed to his"veiy dear and very blessed wife, MetiliaActe." For there islove which lives beyond thetomb.There my Hermes was, well companioned andbetter sheltered than with me, beneath thosenoble arched roofs, amidst those endless processionsof gods and of heroes, and of emperors;but for myself, you know, asIhave said, italways seemed to me that the smile had passedoff the mouthof the statue.Of course it was a foolish and vain fancy;forwhat could a few years spent in a poor man'schamber matter to a creature endowed with thatsplenchdhfe of marbles which counts bycenturiesand cycles, and sees whole dynastiesand nationsroll away?She walked with me down the long gaUery,cold even in the midsummer morning; and she