ings I have come to hold lightly, but my
promise is not one of them."

"I will tell," said Eldris. It was an impulse, born of she knew not what
emotion. So she told, taking a fellow-mortal on trust for sake of the
faith that was in her; and again the heavy-lidded eyes fastened on her,
never wavering from her face as she told her tale.

"I am slave to the lord Eudemius, him whom men call the Torturer. Hito,
who is steward there, hath persecuted me for a year and more, so that I
went in dread of him. Six nights ago I escaped from that house through
the help of one therein, and was told by him to seek Thorney, and
Nicodemus who kept a wine-shop there. But I dared not come here direct
lest I be traced at once. I wandered, seeking what food I might, and
then I lost my way. For five days did I toil on, but yesterday regained
my road. I had strayed wrong many miles, but it may be that this was a
good thing, if it would help to throw off those pursuing. For unless I
can find hiding, I shall be lost."

"And that one who aided your escape?" said Chloris.

"I do not think it would be just to speak of him," Eldris answered,
hesitating. "What I have told concerns myself. There is no need that
another should be put in danger through me."

"Is he your lover?"

Under those changeless, boring eyes, dull color crept into Eldris's
white face.

"Nay," she answered.

"Do you, then, love him?"

"Nay," said Eldris again. "I think--" she spoke slowly, as though the
words were impelled--"I think that no one loves him. Rather is he looked
on with fear and hate."

"Then must he rear his head in some fashion above the herd," said
Chloris, and laughed at the uncomprehension in Eldris's eyes.

But with the mention of Nicanor, remembrance of his direction returned
anew to Eldris, seduced for a moment by sure promise of safety.

"He bade me go to this Nicodemus, and I dare not do otherwise," she said
distressfully. "Last night I was searching for the place. If he were to
come and find me not there--"

"So, he will be a runaway also?" said Chloris, lightly. And at Eldris's
distress--"Fear not, foolish! Should not all slaves stand together? Body
of Bacchus! Did they do so, there would shortly be no slaves! But that
is as it must be. As for Nicodemus, know you what place his wine-shop
is? A drinking den where violent men gather to brawl and gamble. No fit
one, truly, for a maid! Rather, stay you here, and when this unloved
comrade of you