“I believe she likes that Englishman,” muttered the Greek, in no wise pleased at the ironical tone of the Demarch. “I am not responsible for her likes and dislikes,” retorted Justinian coldly, although he heard this remark with much inward satisfaction. “However, you have my promise.” “And you will keep it?” “Only on condition that you keep me informed of the schemes of Alcibiades.” “Oh, I will do that. I will do anything to win Helena, but if you deceive me, it will be the worst day’s work you ever did.” “There is no necessity to threaten without cause,” replied Justinian, bridling his anger at the insolence of the Count; “you will have both Helena and Melnos, but before announcing this publicly, I wish to wait until after the Dionysia.” “Very well,” answered Caliphronas, turning on his heel; “a week or so will make no difference to me. But when I am publicly acknowledged as your son-in-law and successor, the first thing I will do will be to turn Crispin and this insolent Englishman out of the island.” “Well, well, we’ll see about that,” said Justinian, with great indifference; “wait till after the Dionysia.” After this conversation. Caliphronas went away perfectly satisfied that everything was going in his favor, which was extremely foolish, as he might have guessed something was wrong from the unnatural calmness of Justinian. Formerly the old Demarch had been given to outbursts of fiery wrath when his will was crossed, however slightly; but now he bore the insolence of the Greek so quietly, that a less astute man than Caliphronas would have been placed on his guard by this unusual suavity. The Count, however, blinded by his good fortune, rushed madly forward, unseeing the abyss yawning before him, and deemed that the self-restraint of his proposed father-in-law arose from the feebleness of age. If he could have seen the passion of Justinian when he was once more alone, he would have changed his mind; but this he was unaware of, and his self-conceit and egotistical blindness kept him in perfect ignorance of the approaching storm.