“You saw the necessity,” Hipyllos continued, “and besides....”
He paused and, smiling, gazed into her face; he had never seen her look lovelier. The blue-striped kerchief she had thrown over her head cast a slight shadow upon her features, which lent them a mysterious charm.
... “And besides,” he added, “you wrote that you trusted me.”
Clytie raised her dark eyes to him.
Hipyllos threw his arm around her waist, and though he felt a slight movement of resistance he led her in this way the short distance to the hired house where the priestess of Sabazius lived. It was a dwelling called a tristegos, a three-storied house which belonged to Sauros, the armorer, and stood close beside his workshop.
At the first subdued tap of the knocker, Ninus was ready and opened the door.
Hipyllos clasped both of Clytie’s hands.
“We must part,” he said. “But, whatever happens, do not go home until you have received a message from me. And now farewell, you beautiful one, you darling, you light of my life!”
He pressed her to his breast, and ere she could prevent it he had snatched a kiss.
But Clytie tore herself from his embrace, gathered the folds of her robe around her, and fled as lightly as a deer up the steps, where her slender figure vanished in the darkness.