If you do not grant me one kiss, I shall long till I am sick and weak before I can get away from here, and prove my strength in battle." "And if I yield," laughed Sirona, "you will be wanting another and another kiss, and at last not get away at all.

No, no, my friend--I am the wiser of us two.

Now go into the dark room, I will look out and see whether the people are gone in again, and whether you can get off unseen from the street window, for you have been here much too long already.

Do you hear?
I command you." Hermas obeyed with a sigh; Sirona opened the shutter and looked out.

The slaves were coming back into the court, and she called out a friendly word or two, which were answered with equal friendliness, for the Gaulish lady, who never overlooked even the humblest, was dear to them all.