“Oh, yet we trust that somehow good

Will be the final goal of ill,

To pangs of nature, sins of will,

Defects of doubt, and taints of blood.”

Tennyson.

Zopyrus bade Themistocles and Ladice farewell and turned his footsteps absent-mindedly to the house of Pasicles. As it was still early in the afternoon he decided to walk to the Acropolis and view again the spoils of the late war that were there on exhibition. Thinking to avoid the busy street that passes to the front of the Theatre of Dionysus, Zopyrus sought the shady but unfrequented side of the Acropolis. He was arrested by the sound of conversation punctuated with light laughter. Something familiar in one of the voices caused him to proceed cautiously.

Seated upon a moss-grown ledge, the lofty wall of the Acropolis covered with creepers forming an artistic background, sat Corinna, daughter of Pasicles. Zopyrus gazed in mute astonishment, for this coquettish maiden seemed a new Corinna and not the sister of the serious Eumetis, or the betrothed of the artist, Polygnotus. Leaning against the ledge and gazing up at the girl with steadfast attention was a florid-faced young man, a stranger to Zopyrus. The boldness of his demeanor displeased Zopyrus greatly, and he decided to remain where he was and investigate the stranger’s intentions to Corinna.
163

Covering Corinna’s head was a handsome brocaded scarf. When the girl tossed back her head in laughter, the scarf slipped off and fell to the ground. The youth picked it up, shook off the dust and restored it to its owner. Corinna joyfully received it and warmly thanked the young man who assured her he would delight in rendering her a real service some day.

Zopyrus watched the two for some time and was about to conclude that it was perhaps a harmless flirtation when the man’s face suddenly lost its expression of gayety and took on a serious aspect, while his eyes gleamed with a lustful light.

“My invitation of a few minutes ago was no joke, Corinna. Will you go with me to Naxos on the second night of the next full moon? You will be the queen of all there, you beautiful girl, with your crown of auburn hair.”

Corinna drew away from the too ardent gestures.

“No, I can not do that. My parents, my sister, yes and Polygnotus,” she added with a blush, “would be horrified.”

“Do not let them know,” persisted the man. “Have you not a sick friend who might be visited that night?”

The maid hesitated. “Give me time to think it over. You say there will be other girls and that the ceremonies are beautiful?”
164

“Yes indeed,” he cried eagerly, laying a hand on hers, “there will be others, but none so lovely as you! As for the artist, he is too serious to enjoy life. With him, Corinna, you would soon become an old woman, but I am different. I enjoy life and I can make you so happy that the festival of Dionysus will be an event in your life that you will never forget.”
............