[The Last Days of Pompeii by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton]@TWC D-Link book
The Last Days of Pompeii

CHAPTER V
8/13

'I will beg from sunrise to sunset, but send me not there.' 'And why ?' asked the same voice.
'Because--because I am young, and delicately born, and the female companions I meet there are not fit associates for one who--who...' 'Is a slave in the house of Burbo,' returned the voice ironically, and with a coarse laugh.
The Thessalian put down the flowers, and, leaning her face on her hands, wept silently.
Meanwhile, Glaucus sought the house of the beautiful Neapolitan.

He found Ione sitting amidst her attendants, who were at work around her.
Her harp stood at her side, for Ione herself was unusually idle, perhaps unusually thoughtful, that day.

He thought her even more beautiful by the morning light and in her simple robe, than amidst the blazing lamps, and decorated with the costly jewels of the previous night: not the less so from a certain paleness that overspread her transparent hues--not the less so from the blush that mounted over them when he approached.
Accustomed to flatter, flattery died upon his lips when he addressed Ione.

He felt it beneath her to utter the homage which every look conveyed.

They spoke of Greece; this was a theme on which Ione loved rather to listen than to converse: it was a theme on which the Greek could have been eloquent for ever.


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