“It is a delight.” Most mocking was his laugh.

“Thou meanest it not.”

“But I do. These are the children of Deucalion. To him we owe our loss, ruin. If ransom cometh not, I can well pay him. Atlana, the girl is most fair.”

The queen shivered, and her eyes fell.

“The boy is noble of look and brave. He will be a warrior, and, in the coming time, can help to fall upon Pelasgia. What delight if, in battle, he should slay his father!”

The queen turned from him, and a cry of torment escaped her.

“Atlana, there was enough of such noise ere I went from thee. I mean this I tell thee.”

She was ghastly in her paleness.

“Atlana, thou lookest far from well. It may be thou art not able to look upon these captives now. I will show them to thee on the morrow.”

“I would see them now, now!”