Who revered the sacredness of marriage in a city whose queen was openly living for the second time with the husband of another?
Dion himself had formed many a brief connection, but for that very reason he could not place a woman like Barine on the same footing with those whose love he had perhaps owed solely to his wealth.

He had never lacked courage and resolution, but he felt that this time he would have to resist a power with which he had never coped.
That accursed face! Again and again it rose before his mental vision, smiling and beckoning so sweetly that the day must come when the yearning to realize the dream would conquer all opposition.

If he remained near her he would inevitably do what he might afterwards regret, and therefore he would fain have offered a sacrifice to Peitho to induce her to enhance Archibius's powers of persuasion and induce Barine to leave Alexandria.

It would be hard for him to part from her, yet much would be gained if she went into the country.

Between the present and the distant period of a second meeting lay respite from peril, and perhaps the possibility of victory.