rick
to be played he must have a finger in the pie, as sure as there must
be meal for bread to be made. But it is a new thing to me that on this
occasion he should be Euergetes' tool. Old Philammon told me all about
it. Just now the messenger came back from Memphis, and brought a paltry
scrap of papyrus on which some wretched scribbler had written in the
name of Philometer, that nothing was known of Irene at court, and
complaining deeply that Asclepiodorus had not hesitated to play
an underhand game with the king. So they have no idea whatever of
voluntarily releasing our child."

"Then I shall proceed to do my duty," said Klea resolutely. "I shall go
to Memphis, and fetch my sister."

The anchorite stared at the girl in horror, exclaiming: "That is folly,
madness, suicide! Do you want to throw two victims into his jaws instead
of one?"

"I can protect myself, and as regards Irene, I will claim the queen's
assistance. She is a woman, and will never suffer--"

"What is there in this world that she will not suffer if it can procure
her profit or pleasure? Who knows what delightful thing Euergetes may
not have promised her in return for our little maid? No, by Serapis! no,
Cleopatra will not help you, but--and that is a good idea--there is one
who will to a certainty. We must apply to the Roman Publius Scipio, and
he will have no difficulty in succeeding."

"From him," exclaimed Klea, coloring scarlet, "I will accept neither
good nor evil; I do not know him, and I do not want to know him."

"Child, child!" interrupted the recluse with grave chiding. "Does your
pride then so far outweigh your love, your duty, and concern for Irene?
What, in the name of all the gods, has Publius done to you that you
avoid him more anxiously than if he were covered with leprosy? There
is a limit to all things, and now--aye, indeed--I must out with it come
what may, for this is not the time to pretend to be blind when I see
with both eyes what is going on--your heart is full of the Roman, and
draws you to him; but you are an honest girl, and, in order to remain
so, you fly from him because you distrust yourself, and do not know what
might happen if he were to tell you that he too has been hit by one of
Eros' darts. You may turn red and white, and look at me as if I were
your enemy, and talking contemptible nonsense. I have seen many strange
things, but I never saw any one before you who was a coward out of sheer
courage, and yet of all