BOOK THE FOURTH
15. Chapter XV
(continued)
Without waiting a reply, Arbaces hastily withdrew; afraid, perhaps, to trust
himself further to the passionate prayer of Ione, which racked him with
jealousy, even while it touched him to compassion. But compassion itself
came too late. Had Ione even pledged him her hand as his reward, he could
not now--his evidence given--the populace excited--have saved the Athenian.
Still made sanguine by his very energy of mind, he threw himself on the
chances of the future, and believed he should yet triumph over the woman
that had so entangled his passions.
As his attendants assisted to unrobe him for the night, the thought of Nydia
flashed across him. He felt it was necessary that Ione should never learn
of her lover's frenzy, lest it might excuse his imputed crime; and it was
possible that her attendants might inform her that Nydia was under his roof,
and she might desire to see her. As this idea crossed him, he turned to one
of his freedmen:
'Go, Callias,' said he, 'forthwith to Sosia, and tell him, that on no
pretence is he to suffer the blind slave Nydia out of her chamber. But,
stay--first seek those in attendance upon my ward, and caution them not to
inform her that the blind girl is under my roof Go--quick!'
The freedman hastened to obey. After having discharged his commission with
respect to Ione's attendants, he sought the worthy Sosia. He found him not
in the little cell which was apportioned for his cubiculum; he called his
name aloud, and from Nydia's chamber, close at hand, he heard the voice of
Sosia reply:
'Oh, Callias, is it you that I hear?--the gods be praised!' Open the door, I
pray you!'
Callias withdrew the bolt, and the rueful face of Sosia hastily protruded
itself.
'What!--in the chamber with that young girl, Sosia! Proh pudor! Are there
not fruits ripe enough on the wall, but that thou must tamper with such
green...'
'Name not the little witch!' interrupted Sosia, impatiently; 'she will be my
ruin!' And he forthwith imparted to Callias the history of the Air Demon,
and the escape of the Thessalian.
|