But Agias whispered something in her ear, that made her lift her face, laughing, and then he in turn caught her up in his arms to hasten down to the landing--for the scene was becoming one of little profit for a maid.

Groans and entreaties checked him.

Two powerful Phoenician seamen were dragging forward Phaon, half clothed, trembling at every joint.

"Mercy! Mercy! Oh! Master Agias, oh! Your excellency, _clarissime_,[165] _despotes!_[166]" whined the wretched man, now in Latin, now in Greek, "ask them to spare me; don't let them murder me in cold blood!" [165] Very distinguished sir.
[166] Master.
"_Ai!_" cried Demetrius.

"What fool have we here?
Do you know him, Agias ?" "He is the freedman of Lucius Ahenobarbus.