“That is enough,” Zopyrus interrupted rudely, “had you any—thought of accepting his attentions? This may seem rude to you,” he added apologetically, “but believe me, my motives are pure in asking you this.”
Persephone looked shyly into the eyes of the man whom she now knew she loved more dearly than any other, and desiring to entice him into an avowed declaration of his adoration of her, she said demurely: “Circumstances might favor my acceptance of the young man who played with me as Pluto.”
Zopyrus ground his teeth in secret dismay. He knew she was innocent of the fact that her would-be-lover was a traitor, but how could he, Zopyrus, who was in honor bound to renounce her, reveal her lover’s identity, and bring disappointment to the maiden’s heart whose longings he had heard in her own words but a short time ago. He could not, he felt, be like the dog in the manger of which Aesop had written. If he could not have her, he could not deny her happiness with another—but a traitor! Perhaps it was best that she should know before it was too late. He looked again into her eyes and opened his mouth to speak, then with a shrug of despair he turned and left her.
He was gone, and so were all the celebrants bearing torches. The temple was now an indistinct black blot against the sky. No cracks and crannies were revealed by wavering lights! Someone touched her arm. It was Agne!
“Did you take my advice, dear Persephone?” whispered the woman. “Did you decide to live? Did you accept him?”
“Did I accept whom?” asked Persephone dazedly. “Oh, yes—no—, I—that is he is going to take me to celebrate the festivities at Naxos on the second night of the full moon. Will you, dear Agne, go with us as chaperone?”
Agne consented and said, “I know he loves you. He seemed loath to leave you just now. Do not allow his role as Hades to prejudice you against him.”
Persephone felt relieved, for by Agne’s last remark, she knew that in the dark Agne had mistaken the stranger for Ephialtes.
“You are right, Agne, I will live while I am young. When Ephialtes asks me for an answer at Naxos, I will accept him.” Persephone’s voice faltered, and Agne misunderstood the cause of the quavering tones.
“I wish you, dear girl, all the happiness that might have been mine, had I chosen differently when I stood at the forks.”