Page:Afterglow; pastels of Greek Egypt, 69 B.C. (IA afterglowpastels00buck).pdf/78

74 clutched Thersites' cloak. Antonius stopped, preplexedperplexed [sic].

"Why does she turn to thee?" he said.

"Why not? She knows what to expect from thee, her ravisher. I am more of an unknown quantity."

With this, Thersites, watching the girl, spoke to her again; and his voice was very soft. Crobyle stirred on her cushions. Antonius watched curiously.

Thersites walked to the edge of the parapet and looked out over the city. Finally he turned.

"Friend," he said to the Roman, "I will bargain with thee. This girl is less afraid of me because I can speak to her. Perhaps she has divined, also, some other qualities which, at this moment, might appeal to her Leave her with me—and take Crobyle with thee tomorrow. She will go with thee more willingly? Say, wilt thou?"