“Æole, wouldst thou be glad to leave us?”
“Gracious King, I would be glad to go to my home; but am loth to leave Queen Atlana.” The lovely face had become downcast.
“But Pelasgia is not so far,” interposed the queen. “And we have good vessels. How strong is my wish to journey thither with thee, Æole, and place thee in the arms of thy mother!”
“Much good would the vessels do thee, Atlana,” said the king with meaning. “It is not for thee to go so far.”
“I forgot.” She laughed in a sorrowful way. “Too well I know the need of my presence to the king!”
“And thou, Electra, what wilt thou do when Æole hath left us?”
“King Atlano, I will live in the hope of meeting her, if even in Pelasgia.”
“We will come for thee, Electra,” spoke Hellen. “Pelasgia will not be Pelasgia—nor my mother, mother—nor my father, father—without thee. Where thou art is the home for me. Rather would I stay here than go from thee to the brightest fate!”
“Hush, Hellen!” Poor Electra was trying hard to bear up.
“Through the night and this morning have I wavered between my home and thee. Now is my mind clear!” And Hellen looked about him, fierce in his determination.