Sagaris, whose hand was still on the dagger's hilt, grasped her by the mantle, his look and attitude so like that of a man about to strike that she sprang away from him with a loud cry.
Again the curtain was raised, and there entered hurriedly several armed men.

Their leader looked with a meaning grin at the lady and her companion, who now stood apart from each other.
'Pardon our hasty entrance, fair Heliodora,' he said in Greek.

'The commander has need of you--on pressing business.' 'The commander must wait my leisure,' she replied with a note of indignation over-emphasised.
'Nay, that he cannot,' returned the officer, leering at Sagaris.

'He is even now at supper, and will take it ill if you be not there when he rises from table.

A litter waits.' Not without much show of wrath did Heliodora yield.