“Well, I mean that he has always done his best....”
“But it seems to me, that it is no more than his duty.”
“Certainly. Still, there is a way of doing one’s duty—a devotedness....”
“What are you aiming at?” asked the Empress. “First you speak as if you wanted to keep silence, and then you break off as if you wished to speak....”
“I only thought....”
“Speak out boldly, Polycharma, and have done with this mysterious behavior, which is like the incoherence of a sibyl."[284]
“By the gods! but I dare not. Besides I only guess at it; he could never be so bold....”
“You are talking in riddles. Speak out; I command you!”
“Oh!” cried the girl contritely. “How am I to say it? Stephanus is consumed by a hopeless passion. He is dying of silent love for the charms of his imperial mistress.”
Domitia’s features did not show a shade of feeling, and Polycharma glanced in terror at the expressionless face, for not the twinkle of an eyelash, not a twitch of the lips, betrayed what emotion might have been roused by this explanation.