"Yes, it has been missing for several days. Oh, the Germans would drain the ocean if it were full of wine."
"And just see the hundred weight of gold which they have hung on poor Aphrodite."
"All stolen, plundered Roman property. She can hardly move under the weight of her jewels."
"Modesty, Victor, modesty! She has not much clothing except her jewels."
"It's not the poor girl's fault apparently. That insolent Cupid just snatched off the sailcloth and flung it into the sea. See how confused she is, how she tries to find some drapery. She is beseeching the bride, pointing to the large white silk coverlet at her feet."
"Little Ariadne is nodding; she has picked it up; now she is throwing it over Aphrodite's shoulders. How grateful she looks!"
"They are landing. I pity the poor bride. Disgrace and shame! She is the child of a freeborn Roman citizen, though of Greek origin. And the father--"
"Where is Eugenes? I do not see him on the bridal ship."
"He is probably ashamed to show himself at the sacrifice of his child. He went to Utica with his Sicilian guest on business long before the marriage, and after his return he will go with the Syracusan to Sicily. It is really like the ancient sacrifice of the maidens which the Athenians were obliged to offer to the Minotaur. He gives up Eugenia, the daintiest jewel of Carthage."
"But they say she wanted to marry him; she loved the red giant. And he is not ugly; he is really handsome."