While the Pagan still fruitlessly endeavoured to revive the events
connected with the change in his designation on his arrival in
Alexandria, and, chafing under the burden of oblivion that weighed upon
his thoughts, attempted for the first time to move from the wall against
which he had hitherto leaned; while Antonina still strove in vain to
recall her father to the recollection of the terrible exigencies of the
moment as he crouched prostrate at the madman's feet--the doorway of the
temple was darkened once more by the figure of Goisvintha. She stood on
the threshold, a gloomy and indistinct form in the fading light, looking
intently into the deeply shadowed interior of the building. As she
marked the altered positions of the father and daughter, she uttered a
suppressed ejaculation of triumph; but, while the sound passed her lips,
she heard, or thought she heard, a noise in the street behind. Even now
her vigilance and cunning, her deadly, calculating resolution to await
in immovable patience the fitting time for striking the blow
deliberately and with impunity, did not fail her.
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