"Well, well," said Karnis. "She has a lovely voice—but she wants wings.
Something—what, I know not, keeps the violet rooted to the soil."
"Christian scruples," said the merchant, and Damia added:
"Let Eros touch her—that will loosen her tongue."
"Eros, always Eros!" repeated Gorgo shrugging her shoulders. "Nay, love means suffering—those who love drag a chain with them. To do the best of which he is capable man needs only to be free, true, and in health."
"That is a great deal, fair mistress," replied Karnis eagerly. "With these three gifts the best work is done. But as to Agne—what can be further from freedom than a girl bound to service? her body, to be sure is healthy, but her spirit suffers; she can get no peace for dread of the Christian's terrors: Sin, Repentance, and Hell. . . ."
"Oh, we know how their life is ruined!" interrupted the old lady. "Was it
Agne who introduced you to Mary's Asylum?"
"No, noble lady."
"But how then—that prudent saint generally selects her guests, and those that are not baptized . . ."
"She certainly sheltered heathens on this occasion."
"I am much surprised. Tell me how it happened."