“And still from morn till eve I’ve scanned

That weary sea from strand to strand,

To mark his sail against the spray.

In vain! In vain! The morning ray

Shows not his bark ’mid all the seas.”

Thomas Davidson.

The opportunity for meetings between Cimon and Ladice had been very rare since the former wished as far as possible to avoid meeting Themistocles. The young man had conscientiously endeavored to rectify the harm that he had done against the older man, but the populace preferred to believe the evil charge which was still vigorously promoted by Leobotes and other newly-won conspirators.

One afternoon Cimon walked briskly into the curio shop of Aphobus. The little merchant was dusting with loving care, delicate vases in ivory and bronze of intricate designs.

“This vase,” he said, picking up a small urn in terra-cotta with figures and designs painted in black, “has depicted upon it in minutest detail the story of the siege of Troy. Here we see Paris presenting Aphrodite with the apple. There he is carrying away the beautiful Helen. And here,” he added delightedly, “is the wooden horse of Ulysses. How very—”
202

“I did not come here to discuss the Trojan war,” said Cimon abruptly. “I came to find out if there is any truth to the rumor that Themistocles has disappeared.”

Before Aphobus could reply, the entrance to the shop was darkened by another figure. Both men upon looking up perceived it to be Lysimachus, son of Aristides.

“Have you heard the news?” he cried, and upon receiving negative responses, continued. “Themistocles has left Greece and it is believed that he has gone to Persia!”

Cimon could venture no response but he listened dully to the details as related by the son of Themistocles’ former rival. But one question kept throbbing in his brain: “Will she marry me now that Themistocles has gone?”

He realized presently that Lysimachus was addressing him personally. “I hear that the allied fleet leaves tomorrow on its first expedition since the formation of the Delian Confederacy, with you as its commander in which capacity you succeed my father.”

“Yes we set sail on the morrow for Thrace to free from Persian rule the town of Eion on the river Strymon.”

Aphobus gazed with approbation at the manly form of Cimon.
203

“I have known you since you were a little boy,” he said, “and I am proud to see you the first man in Athens. This expedition is a noble enterprise, but take care that while you are gone others right here in the city do not arise to seek your position. I have in mind a certain youth named Pericles. To be sure he is not the soldier that you are, but he is a patron of the arts and is interested in beautifying Athens, as very little of that has been done since the war.”

“I do not fear Pericles,” answered Cimon. “Athens is more interested at present in the results of the recent formation of the Delian League which pertain more directly to our colonies. After these troubles are settled there will be time for the future rebuilding of the city.”

Cimon took his leave of Aphobus and Lysimachus and had gone but a few steps when he met Leobotes. He wished to hurry on after a short nod of greeting, but Leobotes stopped him with the words: “Congratulations, Cimon, Themistocles has fled and now there is none before you in Athens.”

“In my opinion Themistocles is fortunate to be away from the immediate influence of the intrigues of certain so-called ‘loyal citizens.’ The fate of Ephialtes should prove a warning to such,” with which words he walked away from Leobotes who was too much astonished to reply.
204

At last he had opportunity to think! So the fiery statesman, Themistocles, was gone, and he, Cimon, had been instrumental in bringing this about! Well he knew that he had done his utmost to prevent this toward the last. He had humbled himself that Themistocles might not be thought guilty of treason, and all this was for the purpose of obtaining the girl he loved. He realized that whether by force of will or unconsciously he was drawing nearer and nearer to the home of Themistocles. He paused before the entrance, ascended the steps and lifted the bronze knocker. There was no response, so he gently pushed open the door and entered. All was still. He proceeded cautiously to the solarium and found it empty, but from this room the faint sound of voices came to his listening ear. They proceeded from the garden, so thither he betook himself. From the top of a short flight of stone steps which led to the garden, he surveyed the abundance of plants and shrubbery which he thought surpassed even those in the garden of Pasicles. He caught sight of two female figures seated upon a bench at the farther end of the garden. They were Ladice and Asia, the youngest daughter of Themistocles. The girls seemed to be indulging in mutual consolation.

A vague uneasiness that foreboded no good hovered about Cimon as he approached with the words: “Do I intrude?”

Ladice shook her head while Asia arose, hastily excused herself and entered the house.

Cimon took the place that Asia had occupied and said gently: “Ladice, you can not believe how I regret what has happened. Believe that I did all ............