id here, and how gladly he would do so! He assured her of
this; and Helena, who had heard him mentioned as a man of ability, saw in
him a helper in need, and begged him, with touching fervour, to show her
grandfather, when he came before the officers, that all was not lost.

The astonished architect asked if Didymus did not know what was
impending, and Helena hastily replied:

"He is working in the summer-house by the sea. Apollonius is a
kind-hearted man, and will wait until I have prepared my grandfather. I
must go to him. He has already sent Philotas--his pupil, who finds and
unrolls his books--a dozen times to inquire the cause of the tumult
outside; but I replied that the crowds were flocking to the harbour on
account of the Queen. There is often a mob shouting madly; but nothing
disturbs my grandfather when he is absorbed in his work; and his pupil--a
young student from Amphissa--loves him and does what I bid him. My
grandmother, too, knows nothing yet. She is deaf, and the female slaves
dare not tell her. After her recent attack of giddiness, the doctor said
that any sudden shock might injure her. If only I can find the right
words, that my grandfather may not be too sorely hurt!"

"Shall I accompany you?" asked Gorgias kindly.

"No," she answered hurriedly. "He needs time ere he will trust strangers.
Only, if Apollonius discloses the terrible truth, and his grief threatens
to overpower him, comfort him, and show him that we still have friends
who are ready to protect us from such disaster."

She waved her hand in token of gratitude, and hurried through the little
side gate into the garden. Gorgias looked after her with sparkling eyes,
and drew a long breath. How good this girl must be, how wisely she cared
for her relatives! How energetically the young creature behaved! He had
seen his new acquaintance only in the dim light, but she must be
beautiful. Her eyes, lips, and hair certainly were. How his heart
throbbed as he asked himself the question whether this young girl, who
was endowed with every gift which constituted the true worth of
womanhood, was not preferable to her more attractive sister Barine!--when
the thought darted through his mind that he had cause to be grateful to
the beard which covered his chin and cheeks, for he felt that he, a
sedate, mature man, must have blushed. And he knew why. Only half an hour
before he had felt and admitted to Dion that he considered Barine the
most desirable of w