In silence he waited until the tiring-woman had finished her service and departed.
Then it was Amaryllis who spoke.
"You left us abruptly on occasion of your first visit." "The siege was of greater interest to you than I was.

When I discovered the cause of the disturbance, you would have failed to remember me." "Yet I recall you readily after many days." "The city is in disorder; conventions can not always be observed in war-time.

I returned when I could." "Our interest in you as our guest has not abated.

Philadelphus is ready to see you, at any time," she said, watching his face.
"And in time of war," he answered composedly, "we intend many things in the first place which we do not carry out in the second.

I do not care to see--Philadelphus." She lifted her brows.