CHAPTER XI.
Three days before the time fixed for the departure of Nitetis, Rhodopis had invited a large number of guests to her house at Naukratis, amongst whom Croesus and Gyges were included.
The two lovers had agreed to meet in the garden, protected by the darkness and the old slave, while the guests were occupied at the banquet.

Melitta, therefore, having convinced herself that the guests were thoroughly absorbed in conversation, opened the garden-gate, admitted the prince, brought Sappho to him, and then retired, promising to warn them of any intruder by clapping her hands.
"I shall only have you near me three days longer," whispered Sappho.

"Do you know, sometimes it seems to me as if I had only seen you yesterday for the first time; but generally I feel as if you had belonged to me for a whole eternity, and I had loved you all my life." "To me too it seems as if you had always been mine, for I cannot imagine how I could ever have existed without you.

If only the parting were over and we were together again!" "Oh, believe me, that will pass more quickly than you fancy.

Of course it will seem long to wait--very long; but when it is over, and we are together again, I think it will seem as if we had never been parted.