Chione was conveyed away stealthily, in company with a Christian family who were making the journey homeward. Days elapsed; and Magas watched in vain, set spies in vain. Chione was not to be met with.
"The girl must be ill, or bewitched," said he. "Three appearances, and nothing heard of her! A whole year since I saw her before, and she so changed, beautified, and silenced when we met again! What can it mean?"
"What can what mean, Magas, that you are here talking to yourself, and flinging yourself about like a madman?"
"Critias!"
"Yes; it is long since we met. What have you been doing since?"
"Tracing the girl who imposed upon us in the muses' temple."
"What! not forgotten that yet?"
"No. It was scarcely an adventure to be forgotten, save by one who cares for nothing, like yourself."
"Well, what have you discovered?"