"This much, at least: the girl is Merion's niece."
"So! Then we may suppose her rhapsodies referred to the new sect?"
"Yes; and that they must be looked to. I wish you would let me question your slave awhile."
"Question all you like; but I warn you, Merion is not likely to answer you unless he likes."
"Then we can apply the torture?"
"No! not to Merion! no! Not on a subject which interferes with no one, even though you have assumed it as a cobweb to your brain. Merion is a faithful servant. I consent to no torture while he continues such."
"Not if you learn that he is concerned in hatching a conspiracy against the state?"
"Magas, I think you are taking leave of your senses."
But Magas was in love, and would neither hear reason nor be turned away from his purpose. Merion would tell him nothing. He said only that he had not seen the girl for many days, and that it was not his business to inquire to what place she had been sent. Lotis, the daughter of the principal philosopher of the day, had been her frequent companion in early days, but of late had seen her little, and, since the adventure in the temple, not at all. Lotis was suspected to know the name of Chione's owner; but, if she did, she kept it to herself. Months passed; and then Magas disappeared also, and, for a while, was not again heard of in Athens.
Continued.