The next day the Roman girl made it convenient that the slave should be alone with her, and commenced her plan of deceit, saying:
'Sidonian, why dost thou look so sad? Thou art unhappy. Dost fear the Lady Venusta? Trust in me. A mother's love is great towards her child. Trust thou in me, girl, make me thy confidant. I know it is not seemly for the high-born daughter of thy mistress to converse with thee in this manner, but I have read somewhere that "All flesh is as grass; the wind passeth over it and it is gone." So, after all, it may be but the force of circumstances which makes me mistress and thee slave. Come, now, tell me what Chios said to thee, and relieve thy mind from anxious thought.'
'My mistress Nika, I cannot tell thee more.'
'Did not Chios speak some sweet words of love into thine ear? Did he not praise thy lovely form, those clustering tresses, those liquid eyes, and did he not taste thy lips? Now, Saronia, tell me, and one day I may tell thee all of my own love story.'
Then spoke the slave:
'I know not of love. If kind words be love, then spake he kindly to me.'
'Didst thou speak of me to him?'
'Yes.'
'And what didst thou say?'
'It may wound thee sore to know.'