"Better the unprepared alabarch," said Marsyas, "than any host who hath expected his guests!"
The prince laughed, and discovering Lydia, bowed low to her.
"No change in thee, sweet Lydia," he exclaimed as she bent in obeisance to the fillet of gold about his forehead.
Marsyas stood a moment aside, his glance roving quickly from her to Classicus. With an effort he put back the rush of feeling that crowded upon his composure and came to her.
"Hast thou not changed, Lydia?" he asked. The hand closing over his did not belie the tremor in her voice.
"A blessing on you both," she said. "You are the redemption of this house of trouble!"
"We have been everything but heroes in our days," Marsyas said. "Welcome the opportunity!"
"Ho! Classicus!" Agrippa cried jovially, "hast thou failed to overthrow the tribute-demanding Sphinx or the Dragon?"
Marsyas gazed at the philosopher standing with inclined head, while he made felicitous answers to the prince, and said to himself:
"Happy phrase, my lord King! There standeth the tribute-demanding Sphinx, even now!"