r life
is so seldom under clouds that when it is clouded at all, it seems as deep
darkness."

He answered by pressing back her hair, "No, not the omen. I am not a slave
to chance like that. Yet to-day,--the wise God knows wherefore,--there comes
a sense of brooding fear. I have been too happy--too blessed with
friendship, triumph, love. It cannot last. Clotho the Spinner will weary
of making my thread of gold and twine in a darker stuff. Everything lovely
must pass. What said Glaucus to Diomedes? 'Even as the race of leaves, so
likewise are those of men; the leaves that now are, the wind scattereth,
and the forest buddeth forth more again; thus also with the race of men,
one putteth forth, another ceaseth.' So even my joy must pass--"

"Glaucon,--take back the words. You frighten me."

He felt her in his arms trembling, and cursed himself for what he had
uttered.

"A blight upon my tongue! I have frightened you, and without cause. Surely
the day is bright enough, surely Athena having been thus far good we can
trust her goodness still. Who knows but that it be many a year before our
sun comes to his setting!"

He kissed her many times. She grew comforted, but they had not been
together long when they were surprised by the approach of Themistocles and
Hermippus. Hermione ran to her father.

"Themistocles and I were summoned hither," explained Hermippus, "by a
message from Democrates bidding us come to Colonus at once, on an urgent
matter touching the public weal."

"He is not here. I cannot understand," marvelled Glaucon; but while he
spoke, he was interrupted by the clatter of hoofs from a party of horsemen
spurring furiously and heading from the pass of Daphni.

CHAPTER XII

A TRAITOR TO HELLAS

Before the house six riders were reining,--five Scythian "bowmen" of the
constabulary of Athens, tow-headed Barbarians, grinning but mute; the
sixth was Democrates. He dismounted with a bound, and as he did so the
friends saw that his face was red as with pent-up excitement. Themistocles
advanced hastily.

"What's this? Your hands seem a-quiver. Whom has that constable tied up
behind him?"

"Seuthes!" cried Glaucon, bounding back, "Seuthes, by every god, and
pinioned like a felon."

"Ay!" groaned the prisoner, lashed to a horse, "what have I done to be
seized and tried like a bandit? Why should I be set upon by these
gentlemen while I was enjoyi