This was evidently not the first time the answer had been given to Ninus. She understood how to help herself.
“Well, well!” she cried, “if you have no money, my pretty one, you probably have many rings, clasps, and such things.”
The veiled figure threw back her cloak; two dazzlingly white arms appeared a moment and unfastened a brooch from her forehead. But the light from the lantern was so faint that Hipyllos rather imagined than saw the features which to him were the dearest in the world.
“Take this ornament,” she said; “I have many of them.... Take this pin and clasp too.”
Ninus bent her head to conceal her delight.
“Generous girl!” she exclaimed, “who would not gladly serve a maiden fair as Aphrodite and blooming as Artemis?”
“Offer your thanks to Doris,” said the veiled figure. “She persuaded me to come. She has told you all, even that terrible thing—the worst misfortune which could befall me.”
XII.
Hipyllos strained his attention to the utmost.
Ninus herself seemed to become somewhat thoughtful at hearing the girl’s words.