I thank thee, lady,

And fain would ask of thee a greater kindness:

I would that thou wouldst tell me of thy brother.

Ire. My brother Theodorus? What of him?

Asan. This only. Did he, ere I knew my wife,

Bear towards her a great though innocent love?

Ire. A great though innocent love? Ay, a great love,

For certain. Spoke she not of it to thee?

Asan. No word!

Ire.