The king they feared and disliked. Keen were they to perceive the shadow he ever left upon the queen. She, it was plain to see, was daily growing sadder. And, about the palace it was whispered that the king’s profligacies were causing this, as he had steadily progressed in wickedness since his return from Pelasgia.
Thus these two Pelasgian captives grew to be Atlana’s comfort, her alleviation. Indeed, she became bound up in them as the weary months went by.
The first year passed, and no offer of ransom arrived; but Hellen and Æole ceased not to hope. The second and third years dragged, and no word had been received. Then each confessed a dread that their parents were no more.
When the third year had passed, the nobles often hinted of the desirability of another invasion of Pelasgia; but always Atlano advised delay, for his martial spirit had weakened under the sloth and indulgence of these later years. He lived but for ease and sensuality.
So, as the time was ripe, he put in operation long-devised plans. Hellen and Æole were now to realize in the fullest their most forlorn, helpless situation. The tears that were but beginning to dry were about to fall faster than ever.
CHAPTER V.
THE ABDUCTION.
The queen, Æole, and Hellen had returned from the seashore, where they had been watching a swimming bout of the young nobles and the crowning of the victor. After the glare of the hot sands, they were impatient to be in their favorite cool nook of the garden. This was a large green plat quite inclosed in sycamores and acacias that bordered the side stream to the east. Here, when her ladies had served some refreshment and been dismissed, the queen spoke anxiously:
“Æole, Hellen, I read the looks ye cast far over the sea. Would ye could forget.”
“Dear Queen Atlana,” returned Æole, “it is our wish not to forget. The lotus is not for us. Most dear art thou, as thou knowest. But ever, at sight of the sea, cometh this wish to breast it, that we may learn of our home. Ah, the drawing! Ah, the pain!”
“Yea,” added Hellen, “when we look upon the sea, we can but dash against our bars. This causeth us to go so little to the shore. At sight of the luring, mocking water that leadeth to Pelasgia, we grow sick of our longing.”