“We must tell Theano that our bed is no longer hers. We will make her up another one beside the door. After what I have seen this night I cannot embrace her again. Myrto, it is really horrible. Is it possible to love like that? Is that what they call love?” “Yes, it is that.” “They deceive themselves, Myrto. They do not know.” Myrtocleia took her in her arms, and both kept silence together. The wind mingled their hair. VII CHRYSIS’S HAIR “Look,” said Rhodis, “look! I see some one.” The singing-girl looked. A woman, in the distance, was walking rapidly along the quay. “I recognise her.” resumed the child. “It is Chrysis. She is wearing her yellow robe.” “What! is she dressed already?” “I can’t understand it. Usually she does not go out before mid-day, and the sun is hardly up. Something must have happened to her: something fortunate no doubt: she is so lucky.” They advanced to meet her, and said: “Hail, Chrysis.” “Hail. How long have you been here?” “I don’t know. It was daylight when we arrived.” “There was nobody on the quay?” ill-018 _“It is Chrysis. She is wearing her yellow robe.”_ “Nobody.” “Not a man! are you sure?” “Oh, quite sure. Why do you ask?” Chrysis did not answer. Rhodis went on: “You wanted to see somebody?” “Yes . . . perhaps . . . I think perhaps it is as well I have not seen him. Yes, it is as well. I was wrong to come back; I could not restrain myself.” “But what is the matter? Do tell us, Chrysis.” “Oh, no.” “Not even us? Not even us, your little friends?” “You shall know later on, together with the whole town.” “It is very amiable of you.” “You shall know a little before, if you really want to; but this morning it is impossible. Extraordinary things are happening, my dears. I am dying to tell you, but I must hold my tongue. You were going home? Come and sleep with me, I am quite alone.” “Oh, Chrysis, Chrysidion, we are so tired! We are going home certainly, but to have a good sleep.” “Well, you can sleep afterwards. To-day is the eve of the Aphrodisiæ. Is it a day for rest? If you want the goddess to protect you and to make you happy next year you must enter her temple with eyelids dark as violets and cheeks white as lilies. We will see to that; come with me.” She put her arms round their waists, and closing her caressing hands upon their little half naked breasts, bore them hurriedly off. Rhodis, however, remained preoccupied. “And when we are in your bed,” she said, “will you not tell us what is happening; what you expect?” “I will tell you many things, everything you please; but about that subject I shall say nothing.” “Even when we are in your arms, naked, with the lamp extinguished?” “Do not insist, Rhodis: you shall know to-morrow. Wait till to-morrow.” “You are going to be very happy? or very powerful?” “Very powerful.” Rhodis opened her eyes wide and exclaimed: “You are going to sleep with the queen!”