"I did not see her," Thais replied. "Is she beautiful?"
"Let me see," Chares said, studying the walls as though in an effort to remember. "She has black hair and her eyes too are dark, I think. Her forehead is low and broad and her nose is straight. Perhaps her mouth might be thought a little too wide, but her chin is beautifully rounded and her shoulders and neck are perfect. Yes, I think she might be called beautiful."
"Chares," Thais said timidly, "do you love her?"
Chares laughed. "How can a man make love without an obol that he can call his own?" he replied.
"Are you wholly ruined, then?" she asked.
"I haven't enough left to buy you a singing thrush," he replied gayly.
"But you have me and all that is mine," she said softly.
"Not even you!" he answered. He drew a scroll from the folds of his chiton and tossed it into her lap. She opened it slowly and read a release legally executed, giving her back her freedom and placing her in the enjoyment of all her possessions. Chares watched her with an expectant smile as her eyes followed the written lines. When she had ended, she raised herself on her elbow and gazed earnestly at him for a moment with dilated eyes. Then, without a word, she buried her face in the cushions and her form was shaken with sobs. As the scroll fell from her hand the leopard pounced upon it and began tearing it with his teeth.
"What is the matter with you, Thais?" Chares asked in a tone of displeasure.
"Why did you buy me?" she replied, without lifting her head.