The woman displayed compassion; the guests laughed; and Sónnica gave the order to admit the philosopher, but before the steward had left the room to comply with her command Euphobias had already entered the hall, cringing, humble, but looking at the assembled company with insolent eyes.
"The gods be with you! May joy ever attend you, beautiful Sónnica!"
Turning to the steward he said loftily:
"Brother, now that you see that I get in anyhow, try to wield a less heavy hand in future."
Accompanied by the laughter of the guests he rubbed his forehead on which a lump had begun to rise, and with a corner of his time-worn mantle he wiped off a few drops of blood close to one ear.
"Greeting, lousy one!" the gallant Lachares called to him.
"Away from us!" shouted the other youths.
But Euphobias paid no attention. He smiled at Actæon, seeing him reclining near Sónnica, and his eyes shone with a malicious expression.
"You have arrived where I thought you would. You will master these effeminate creatures who surround Sónnica and who heap insults upon me."
Paying no heed to the mocking retorts of the young gallants he added with a servile smile: