other maidens
followed her. Now these two were different one from the other, for
Electra was full of courage, and would have no peace with those whom she
hated, and sought not to hide what was in her heart, but Chrysothemis
was fearful, and would live peaceably with them that she loved not, and
would speak them fair. And now, when Electra saw her sister come forth,
she brake out against her with many angry words, saying that she did ill
to choose the part of a mother who had done such wickedness, and to
forget her father; and that it was a base thing in her to live softly
and at ease, consorting with the evildoers.

And when the Argive maidens would have made peace between them,
Chrysothemis answered, "These words are not strange to me; nor should I
take note of them, but that I have heard of a great trouble that is
ready to fall upon my sister here, and stay her complaints even for
ever."

"Nay, what is this?" said Electra. "Speakest thou of trouble greater
than that which I now endure?"

"Surely," the other made reply, "for they will send thee far hence, and
shut thee up where thou shalt never more see the light of the sun, if
thou stayest not these complaints."

But Electra did not fear one whit to hear these things, but waxed
fiercer in her anger. And, after a while, as the strife ceased not
between them, Chrysothemis would have gone on her way. And when Electra
perceived this, she asked her for what purpose and whither she was
carrying these offerings to the dead.

And Chrysothemis made reply that she was carrying them at the bidding of
her mother to the tomb of King Agamemnon. For that the Queen was in much
fear, having seen a vision in the night which had sorely troubled her;
and that the vision was this. The King her husband, whom she slew,
seemed to bear her company, even as he had done in time past. And he
took the sceptre which he had been wont to carry, and which AEgisthus
carried after him, and planted it in the earth; and there sprang from it
a very flourishing branch, by which the whole land of Mycenae was
overshadowed. "So much," she said, "I heard her say, when she told her
dream to the light of the day; but more I know not, save that she
sendeth me to make these offerings, by reason of her fear."

Then Electra answered, "Nay, my sister; lay not aught of these things
upon our father's tomb, for they would be an abomination to him; but
scatter them to the winds, or cover them with earth. So let th