AT VENUSTA'S HOUSE
Day after day passed, and the friends of Chios were wont to note his thoughtfulness. It did not amount to moroseness; he was preoccupied, and his mind abstracted.
It was while he was in one of his deepest moods that Varro called, accosting the Greek in a pleasant way:
'How fares the world with thee, noble artist? Thou art in one of thy best humours—or art thou sad?'
'Neither,' replied he.
'Ah! I know: thou art grieving after Nika.'
'Nika?'
'Yes, Nika. Thou surely must have heard I wooed and won her?'
'Indeed, I have not; but I congratulate thee, my lucky fellow.'
'That is from thy heart and true, Chios?'