"You meant to carry me off by stratagem--but wait, only wait--" And before Lysias could prevent her she had turned round, and was preparing to spring from the chariot as it rushed onwards; but her companion was quicker than she; he clutched first at her robe and then her girdle, put his arm round her waist, and in spite of her resistance pulled her back into the chariot.
Trembling, stamping her little feet and with tears in her eyes, she strove to free her girdle from his grasp; he, now bringing his horses to a stand-still, said kindly but earnestly: "What I have done is the best that could happen to you, and I will even turn the horses back again if you command it, but not till you have heard me; for when I got you into the chariot by stratagem it was because I was afraid that you would refuse to accompany me, and yet I knew that every delay would expose you to the most hideous peril.

I did not indeed take a base advantage of your father's name, for my friend Publius Scipio, who is very influential, intends to do everything in his power to procure his freedom and to reunite you to him.

But, Irene, that could never have happened if I had left you where you have hitherto lived." During this discourse the girl had looked at Lysias in bewilderment, and she interrupted him with the exclamation: "But I have never done any one an injury! Who can gain any benefit by persecuting a poor creature like me: "Your father was the most righteous of men," replied Lysias, "and nevertheless he was carried off into torments like a criminal.

It is not only the unrighteous and the wicked that are persecuted.

Have you ever heard of King Euergetes, who, at his birth, was named the 'well-doer,' and who has earned that of the 'evil doer' by his crimes?
He has heard that you are fair, and he is about to demand of the high-priest that he should surrender you to him.