Cleopatra allowed them to depart without speaking a word; only to Publius she said: "Till we meet again!" but she detained the Corinthian, saying: "You, Lysias, are the cause of this provoking business.

Try now to repair the mischief by bringing the girl to us.

Do not hesitate! I will guard her, protect her with the greatest care, rely upon me." "She is a modest maiden," replied Lysias, "and will not accompany me willingly, I am sure.

When I proposed her for the part of Hebe I certainly supposed that a word from you, the king and queen, would suffice to induce the head of the temple to entrust her to you for a few hours of harmless amusement.

Pardon me if I too quit you now; I have the key of my friend's chest still in my possession, and must restore it to him." "Shall we have her carried off secretly ?" asked Cleopatra of her husband, when the Corinthian had followed the other guests.
"Only let us have no scandal, no violence," cried Philometor anxiously.
"The best way would be for me to write to Asclepiodorus, and beg him in a friendly manner to entrust this girl--Ismene or Irene, or whatever the ill-starred child's name is--for a few days to you, Cleopatra, for your pleasure.