"That will not satisfy me by any means," said Lysias very gravely; "I
was ready to give up my pomegranate-flower to you yesterday for Irene,
but herself--"

"I want nothing of her," exclaimed Publius annoyed. "But you might--it
seems to me--be rather more zealous in helping me to preserve her from
the misfortune which threatens her through your own blunder. We cannot
bring her here, but I think that I have thought of a safe hiding-place
for her.

"Do you remember Apollodorus, the sculptor, to whom we were recommended
by my father, and his kind and friendly wife who set before us
that capital Chios wine? The man owes me a service, for my father
commissioned him and his assistants to execute the mosaic pavement in
the new arcade he was having built in the capitol; and subsequently,
when the envy of rival artists threatened his life, my father saved him.
You yourself heard him say that he and his were all at my disposal."

"Certainly, certainly," said Lysias. "But say, does it not strike you
as most extraordinary that artists, the very men, that is to say, who
beyond all others devote themselves to ideal aims and efforts, are
particularly ready to yield to the basest impulses; envy, detraction,
and--"

"Man!" exclaimed Publius, angrily interrupting the Greek, "can you never
for ten seconds keep on the same subject, and never keep anything to
yourself that comes into your head? We have just now, as it seems to me,
more important matters to discuss than the jealousy of each other
shown by artists--and in my opinion, by learned men too. The sculptor
Apollodorus, who is thus beholden to me, has been living here for the
last six months with his wife and daughters, for he has been executing
for Philometor the busts of the philosophers, and the animal groups
to decorate the open space in front of the tomb of Apis. His sons are
managers of his large factory in Alexandria, and when he next goes
there, down the Nile in his boat, as often happens, he can take Irene
with him, and put her on board a ship.

"As to where we can have her taken to keep her safe from Euergetes, we
will talk that over afterwards with Apollodorus."

"Good, very good," agreed the Corinthian. "By Heracles! I am not
suspicious--still it does not altogether please me that you should
yourself conduct Irene to Apollodorus, for if you are seen in her
company our whole project may be shipwrecked. Send the sculptor's wife,
who is little known in Memphis, to