What would the fencing-master say to a runaway-pupil ?" "He would rejoice in the stratagem, by which an isolated individual tried to escape a superior force." "But the superior force must conquer at last .-- What would be the use of my trying to put off a danger which, you say yourself, cannot be averted?
If my tooth aches, I have it drawn at once, instead of tormenting and making myself miserable for weeks by putting off the painful operation as a coward or a woman would, till the last moment.

I can await this coming danger bravely, and the sooner it comes the better, for then I shall have it behind me." "You do not know how serious it is." "Are you afraid for my life ?" "No." "Then tell me, what you are afraid of." "That Egyptian priest with whom I used to study the stars, once cast your horoscope with me.

He knew more about the heavens, than any man I ever saw.

I learnt a great deal from him, and I will not hide from you that even then he drew my attention to dangers that threaten you now." "And you did not tell me ?" "Why should I have made you uneasy beforehand?
Now that your destiny is drawing near, I warn you." "Thank you,--I will be careful.

In former times I should not have listened to such a warning, but now that I love Sappho, I feel as if my life were not so much my own to do what I like with, as it used to be." "I understand this feeling.