"Clearchus!" she murmured, "may the Gods grant that this be not a dream."
"It is no dream, my beloved!" the young man answered. "I have found thee at last."
"Dear heart, I have longed for thee so!" she said, with a little sigh of content, as her arms stole around his neck.
Clearchus bent his head, and their lips met in the darkness. Thais heard the murmur of their voices.
"Oh, I have lost my sandal—and I am cold!" she exclaimed, in a tone of distress. "Chares, I am afraid you will have to carry me."
"You are so heavy," the Theban said, taking her in his arms.
"There, be careful, sir, or I shall make you set me down again," she cried.
Leonidas uttered a sound that was something between a snort and a grunt and signified disdain, whereupon Chares laughed until the narrow passage rang.
Before they reached the palace it was in full possession of the Macedonians. They entered the room where the young men had left Azemilcus the night before, and found a portion of the squadron belonging to Leonidas busily searching there for plunder. The men stood open-mouthed when their captain appeared from behind the hangings. They looked like schoolboys caught in a forbidden frolic.
"Where is the king?" the Spartan demanded sternly.