“I would prefer to walk from here on,” replied Zopyrus hastily, “but I am truly grateful to you for driving me this far on my journey.”
He bade the man a friendly farewell and with eyes alight with anticipation, set forth to cover the remaining two miles which lay between him and the abode of the girl he loved.
* * * * * * * *
In the garden that was divided from the Temple of Mysteries only by an ivy-covered wall, reclined Persephone upon a cushion covered seat by the fountain. She did not sleep, but lay fully conscious, with her hands upon her bosom as it rose and fell regularly with her breathing. Her whole frame was wrapped in languor. But her face was not as expressive of peace as her body, for an occasional frown puckered her smooth brow and she opened her eyes with a wistful expression only to close them again as if to shut out the reality of her loneliness. Between two cypress trees the white roof of the temple showed the first rosy tinge that followed the passing of Phœbus Apollo—Persephone rose to a sitting posture; a figure in white had passed the gate and was coming toward her along the flower-bordered path. With a cry she sprang from her bench and ran into the outstretched arms of her lover.
“What of Eumetis?” she asked, attempting to draw away from the arms that encircled her.
“Eumetis has found happiness in the love of Polygnotus. It was inevitable that the artist could be such a frequent visitor at the home of Pasicles and not grow to love the sincere, unselfish, pure daughter who lives there. Oh—Persephone, have I your forgiveness for the death of your brother?” asked the young man with growing agitation.
The maiden’s face lit up with a divine radiance as she said: “My brother Phales clad as I last saw him with helmet, cuirass and greaves, and carrying his sword, quiver and shield, appeared to me in a dream and told me not to hold you guilty of his death. He praised you highly, Zopyrus—and then he said one more thing.”
“And what was that?” questioned her lover eagerly.
“He said, ‘There is but one God who controls and directs the universe.’ That is all he said. I would have asked him more, but he vanished.”
“Then the prayer to God saved Greece at Salamis, and incessant prayers to the one God have given me you, Persephone!”