lea, who never scolds me for it, you would be far from
comparing me with a goddess. Little old Krates, too, often compares me
to all sorts of pretty things, but that always sounds so comical that I
cannot help laughing. I had much rather listen to you when you flatter
me."

"Because I am young and youth suits with youth. Your sister is older,
and so much graver than you are. Have you never had a companion of
your own age whom you could play with, and to whom you could tell
everything?"

"Oh! yes when I was still very young; but since my parents fell into
trouble, and we have lived here in the temple, I have always been alone
with Klea. What do you want to know about my father?"

"That I will ask you by-and-by. Now only tell me, have you never played
at hide and seek with other girls? May you never look on at the merry
doings in the streets at the Dionysiac festivals? Have you ever ridden
in a chariot?"

"I dare say I have, long ago--but I have forgotten it. How should I have
any chance of such things here in the temple? Klea says it is no good
even to think of them. She tells me a great deal about our parents--how
my mother took care of us, and what my father used to say. Has anything
happened that may turn out favorably for him? Is it possible that the
king should have learned the truth? Make haste and ask your questions at
once, for I have already been too long out here."

The impatient steeds neighed again as she spoke, and Lysias, to whom
this chat with Irene was perfectly enchanting, but who nevertheless had
not for a moment lost sight of his object, hastily pointed to the spot
where his horses were standing, and said:

"Did you hear the neighing of those mettlesome horses? They brought me
hither, and I can guide them well; nay, at the last Isthmian games I won
the crown with my own quadriga. You said you had never ridden standing
in a chariot. How would you like to try for once how it feels? I will
drive you with pleasure up and down behind the grove for a little
while."

Irene heard this proposal with sparkling eyes and cried, as she clapped
her hands:

"May I ride in a chariot with spirited horses, like the queen? Oh!
impossible! Where are your horses standing?"

In this instant she had forgotten Klea, the duty which called her back
to the temple, even her parents, and she followed the Corinthian with
winged steps, sprang into the two-wheeled chariot, and clung fast to the
breastwork, as Lysias took