Zopyrus gazed with compassion into the tear-stained face as he replied: “It is indeed true, but tell me, do you really wish to escape from the clutches of Artabazus?”
The girl glanced furtively about her in horror as if she expected to see the odious form conjured before her at the mention of his name.
“Yes, I will do anything to escape from him and if——” but her words were cut short by a muffled cry of terror.
Phædime had seized the eunuch and forced the gag into his mouth. “Come, help me bind him!” she called loudly to Zopyrus.
It was the work of a few moments, and when they were finished, poor Amorges lay in one corner of the tent, prone and helpless.
“You may depend upon me to help you in this project,” Phædime said to Zopyrus. “It is necessary to lay bare to you the secrets of a woman’s heart. I love Artabazus, and in his affections I have held first place till this Greek girl,” (here she cast a scornful glance at Ladice), “was brought here, and after this battle was fought she would have been his. You see it is to my interest to get her away and to that end I will lend you my assistance. Perhaps we had better kill the eunuch to be assured of our safety. What say you?”
Amorges’ eyes fairly started out of their sockets as the two approached. Seeing that the threat had proved effectual, Phædime spurned the defenceless body with her foot and asked: “Will you intimate to Artabazus upon his return that violence was done you by the soldier who rescued Ladice, and that I tried to help you?”
The wretched fellow indicated affirmation as well as his bonds permitted and Phædime turned to Zopyrus and Ladice.
“Now go and may success crown your efforts.”
“Before we go,” said Zopyrus to Ladice, “you must don this garb to facilitate our escape.”