[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the filefor those who may wish to sample the author’s ideas before making an entiremeal of them. D.W.]
Outside the door of the tent Hermon was trying to banish Althea’s image fromhis mind. How foolishly he had overestimated last night the value of thismiserable actress, who as a woman had lost all charm for him—even as a modelfor his Arachne!
He would rather have appeared before his pure friend with unsightly stains onhis robe than while mastered by yearning for the Thracian.
The first glance at Daphne’s beloved face, the first words of her greeting,taught him that he should find with her everything for which he longed.
In simple, truthful words she reproached him for having neglected her to theverge of incivility the evening before, but there was no trace of bitterness orresentment in the accusation, and she gave Hermon little time for apology, butquickly gladdened him with words of forgiveness.
In the opinion of her companion Chrysilla, Daphne ought to have kept thecapricious artist waiting much longer for pardon. True, the cautious woman tookno part in the conversation afterward, but she kept her charge in sight whileshe was skilfully knotting the fringe into a cloth which she had woven herself.On account of her favourite Philotas, it was well for Daphne to be aware thatshe was watched.
Chrysilla was acquainted with life, and knew that Eros never mingles morearbitrarily in the intercourse of a young couple than when, after a longseparation, there is anything whatever to forgive.
Besides, many words which the two exchanged escaped her hearing, for theytalked in low tones, and it was hot in the tent. Often the fatigue she feltafter the sleepless night bowed her head, still comely with its unwrinkledface, though she was no longer young; then she quickly raised it again.
Neither Daphne nor Hermon noticed her. The former at once perceived thatsomething was weighing on the sculptor’s mind, but he did not need any longinquiry. He had come to confide his troubles to her, and she kindly lightenedthe task for him by asking why he had not gone to breakfast with thePelusinians.
“Because I am not fit for gay company today,” was the reply.
“Again dissatisfied with Fate?”
“True, it has given me small cause for contentment of late.”
“Put in place of Fate the far-seeing care of the gods, and you will accept whatbefalls you less unkindly.”
“Let us stick to us mortals, I entreat you.”
“Very well, then. Your Demeter does not fully satisfy you.”
A discontented shrug of the shoulders was the reply.
“Then work with twofold zeal upon the Arachne.”
“Although one model I hoped to obtain forsook me, and my soul is estranged fromthe other.”
“Althea?” she asked eagerly, and he nodded assent.
Daphne clapped her hands joyfully, exclaiming so loudly that Chrysilla’s headsprang up with a jerk. “It could not help being so! O Hermon! how anxious Ihave been! Now, I thought, when this horrible woman represented thetransformation into the spider with such repulsive accuracy, Hermon willbelieve that this is the true, and therefore the right, ideal; nay, I wasdeceived myself while gazing. But, eternal gods! as soon as I imagined thisArachne in marble or chryselephantine work, what a painful feeling overpoweredme!”
“Of course!” he replied in an irritated tone. “The thirst for beauty, to whichyou all succumb, would not have much satisfaction to expect from