Alfidius, too, and the other slaves with him, imagined that his mistress would blame them if they admitted that Agias was alive.
So the household gathered, by the silence of all concerned, that the bright Greek boy had long since passed beyond power of human torment.
Pisander recovered part of his equanimity, and Arsinoe and Semiramis began to see life a shade less darkened.
Pratinas occasionally repeated his morning calls upon Valeria.

He seemed much engrossed with business, but was always the same suave, elegant, accomplished personage that had endeared him to that lady's heart.

One morning he came in, in unusually good spirits.
"Congratulate me," he exclaimed, after saluting Valeria; "I have disposed of a very delicate piece of work, and my mind can take a little rest.

At least I have roughly chiselled out the matter, as a sculptor would say, and can now wait a bit before finishing.

Ah! what elegant study is this which is engrossing your ladyship this morning ?" "Pisander is reading from the works of Gorgias of Leontini," said Valeria, languidly.
"To be sure," went on Pratinas; "I have always had the greatest respect for the three nihilistic propositions of that philosopher.