Page:The Song of the Sirens.djvu/124

 much like me for me to be blind any longer. I foresaw years of stubborn tension between you and me, foresaw myself worn out with resistance, foresaw all the more suffering for each of us since we loved each other. It could not be, not for a Gorgo."

"Were you happy with Kunobates?" he asked.

"Happy!" she exclaimed. "All my sons died save that poor child. He was the goodliest of them all and now he is a cripple. There is a Gorgo, there is always a Gorgo. But I have no warrior son."

"I do not mean grief or trouble," said Clearchos, "were you happy with him?"

"No woman," said Gorgo slowly, "is ever happy save with the one man in the world. I was content with Kunobates. He was always kind."

"I had hoped that you might marry again," he said.

"I shall marry Anaxibius," she replied.

"Do you love him?" Clearchos asked fiercely.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "will nothing make you merciful! I love you, I always shall. My vow is between us. This is our last interview. You are tormenting me needlessly. Go. Go."

Clearchos rose, bade her a formal farewell and strode off through the gate.