“About Caliphronas?” asked Helena, coming up close to her father.
“No, my dear,” said her father, kissing her fondly. “Caliphronas has received the reward of his treachery, and has left Melnos forever.”
“I am glad of that, father,” said the girl, with a sigh of relief. “You can have no idea how I disliked him. But has he been treacherous?”
“Very; he wanted to give up Melnos to Alcibiades.”
“Did he dare?”
“Yes; and was only deterred from doing so by being promised both yourself and the island.”
“But, father,” cried Helena in great distress, “you did not want me to marry Caliphronas?”
“Never! I wished you to marry Maurice.”
“Well, your wishes are going to be fulfilled,” said Helena, with a lovely smile, turning to her lover.
“Helena,” remarked Maurice, with mock solemnity, taking her hands, “look at me carefully.”