"To save you from falling into the hands of the Phœnician, of course," he replied impatiently.
"Then I wish you had not done it," she sobbed.
"Listen to reason, Thais!" Chares said in a graver tone. "It is I who am no longer free. I have sold my sword and I am in bonds to the Macedonian."
He paused, but she made no answer, although her weeping ceased.
"Were it not so," he continued, "why should I stay here? This is not my city and these are not my people. I have neither, now that Thebes is no more. Clearchus and Leonidas are going with Alexander, as I have told you. Would you have me lag behind? There will be fighting and danger, glory and spoil. Shall I not share them?"
"You may be killed," Thais said faintly, showing her tear-stained face.
"Zeus grant that it be not until I have met Phradates on the field of battle!" he exclaimed.
"Is there nothing, then, that you care for in Athens?" she asked dolefully.
"Thou knowest well that I love thee, Thais," he replied. "Thou knowest that it will tear my heart to leave thee behind. But it is the Gods who have decided for us and we have no choice. Were there no other reason for my going, Clearchus will have need of me in his search for Artemisia, and that would be enough to forbid my remaining here."
"Then I will go, too!" Thais cried, leaping from the couch and standing defiantly before him.