Zopyrus glanced toward the sky, “The moon is beginning its descent and I must return to the house of Pasicles.”
“One moment before you go,” said the poet, laying a detaining hand upon the other’s arm, “You as a member of the Ceryces family should be initiated into the divine mysteries of Eleusis. Had your departed mother never mentioned them to you?”
“As a very young child I remember my mother’s having mentioned, upon several occasions when we were alone, the Eleusinian Mysteries and my childish mind nourished by an exceptionally vivid imagination, dwelt a great deal upon the probable nature of these enigmatical rites.”
“At two months from this time when the moon is again in its fullness, I will act in the capacity of mystagogue for you. Till then I will see you occasionally at Athens in the home of our mutual friend. May the God who is powerful above all others protect you.”
With these words he was gone leaving Zopyrus puzzled but greatly elated.
CHAPTER XV.
What Happened at the Theatre of Dionysus.
“Forth came, with slow and measured tread,
The ancient chorus, solemn, dread,
And through the theatre’s ample bound
Stately they took their wonted round.”