pardon the word, it's overcold; _makaira_, I'd say more
gladly," Democrates was marvellously at his ease despite her frowns, "your
noble father will take nothing amiss if I ask you to sit again that we may
talk together."

"I do not think so." Hermione drew herself up at full height. But
Democrates deliberately placed himself in the path up the hillside. To
have run toward the water seemed folly. She could expect no help from
Cleopis, who would hardly oppose a man soon probably to be her master. As
the less of evils, Hermione did not indeed sit as desired, but stood
facing her unloved lover and hearkening.

"How long I've desired this instant!" Democrates looked as if he might
seize her hands to kiss them, but she thrust them behind her. "I know you
hate me bitterly because, touching your late husband, I did my duty."

"Your duty?" Nestor's eloquence was in her incredulous echo.

"If I have pained you beyond telling, do you think my act was a pleasant
one for me? A bosom friend to ruin, the most sacred bonds to sever, last
and not least, to give infinite sorrow to her I love?"

"I hardly understand."

Democrates drew a step nearer.

"Ah! Hera, Artemis, Aphrodite the Golden--by what name shall I call my
goddess?" Hermione drew back a step. There was danger in his eyes. "I have
loved you, loved you long. Before Glaucon took you in marriage I loved
you. But Eros and Hymen hearkened to his prayers, not mine. You became his
bride. I wore a bright face at your wedding. You remember I was Glaucon's
groomsman, and rode beside you in the bridal car. You loved him, he seemed
worthy of you. Therefore I trod my own grief down into my heart, and
rejoiced with my friends. But to cease loving you I could not. Truly they
say Eros is the strongest god, and pitiless--do not the poets say bloody
Ares begat him--"

"Spare me mythologies," interposed Hermione, with another step back.

"As you will, but you shall hearken. I have desired this moment for two
years. Not as the weak girl given by her father, but as the fair goddess
who comes to me gladly, I do desire you. And I know you will smile on me
when you have heard me through."

"Keep back your eloquence. You have destroyed Glaucon. That is enough."

"Hear me." Democrates cried desperately now. Hermione feared even to
retreat farther, lest he pass to violence. She summoned courage and looked
him in the eye.

"Say on, then. But remember I am a woman and alone save for Cleopi