“I merit this. But never have I seen Æole thus.”
“Dost thou think thou canst ever know a woman, Hellen?” was the unsatisfactory return.
In unbroken silence, they continued their way. When the advancing pair were joined at the hillside door, Hellen put his arm about Æole, and kissed her good-night, afterward whispering, “I was wrong.”
“But I have not been right.”
With this, she kissed him again and again, so that he was comforted. When he had well pressed Electra’s hand, off he sped.
The next two nights, Hellen bore no better tidings of the queen. She still continued too feeble to see any but her ladies, therefore the three young hearts grew in sadness.
But, on the fourth day, he received the message by Azu that the queen would speak with him; and, overjoyed, followed the smiling pygmy to the bower room, there to meet the Lady Rica who conducted him to an inner room. Here, on a couch, lay Atlana; and, as he approached, his joy became dread, so great was the change in her. Listlessly she held out her hand, which the affectionate youth fell on his knees to kiss, while the heavy sighs came fast. When Rica had withdrawn, Atlana murmured:
“Hellen, be not cast down. I am better, though weak, weak. Tell me, how is Æole?”
“Dear Queen, Æole is well in body, but sore in mind because of thee. She hath not smiled for days.”
“My poor Æole.”