CHAPTER XXI. A CHORUS OF ATHENIAN MAIDENS.
When Constantine lighted his niece’s candle and handed it to her, he touched Pericles on the arm and nodded.
“I want you to smoke a cigarette with me before going to bed. I have something to say to you.”
Pericles suffered himself to be led into the sitting-room, and proceeded to roll up a cigarette while his brother lighted the lamp.
“We are agreed upon the advisability of at once marrying Inarime, I suppose?” he began.
“At once!” Pericles exclaimed, in alarm.
“Why not?”
“Think of her recent wound. She behaved so well. I cannot in conscience so soon do wrong to the memory of her lover.”