Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 4, 2025
I have never deceived you; but one thing I have hitherto concealed from you because I was never till this morning sure of it myself now I am. Now I know that I love him." "The Christian?" said the old woman, pushing aside a shade that screened her eyes. "Yes, Constantine; I will not hear you abuse him." Damia laughed sharply, and said in a tone of supreme scorn: "You will not?
It could neither be dried up nor wiped away; for if the false Christian, who was really a zealous heathen, had boldly confessed the Olympian gods and abjured the odious new faith, the gifts of the all-powerful water and all the possessions of their old family would be confiscated to the State and Church, and the children of Porphyrius, the grandchildren of the wealthy Damia, would be beggars.
Damia struck the floor with her crutch and, interrupting the indignant matron with a spiteful laugh, exclaimed: "Ha, ha! The saintly Mary's most saintly son! Such wonders do not happen every day! Here, Dada here; take this ring, it has been worn by a woman who once was young and who has had many lovers. Close come close, my sweet child."
You I shall never remember your name if I live to be as old as Damia. . . ." "Sachepris, Sachepris is my name," said the woman, but call me anything else you like. The lover I mean is the son of the rich Christian, Mary. A handsome man, my lord Marcus; and he has horses, such fine horses, and more gold pieces than the pebbles on the shore there.
Gorgo had covered the dead face; and when old Damia had been carried down to the thalamos and laid in state on the bridal bed, she strewed the couch with flowers. Meanwhile, the priest of Saturn had been found, and he declared in all confidence that no power on earth could have recalled this departed soul.
Damia had definitively given up all hope, and hardly heeded this part of his story, while on Gorgo's mind it had a startling effect. She loved Constantine with all the fervor of a first, and only, and long-suppressed passion; she had repented long since of her little fit of suspicion, and it would have cost her no perceptible effort to humble her pride, to fly to him and pray for forgiveness.
She felt shy and strange as she made her low courtesy to the old lady; but Damia seemed to be pleased with the timid grace of her demeanor, for she offered her her hand an honor she usually conferred only on her intimates, bid her stoop, and gave her a kiss, saying kindly: "You are a good brave girl.
Gorgo had covered the dead face; and when old Damia had been carried down to the thalamos and laid in state on the bridal bed, she strewed the couch with flowers. Meanwhile, the priest of Saturn had been found, and he declared in all confidence that no power on earth could have recalled this departed soul.
Old Damia laid aside her stick, and taking her son's face in both her withered hands, muttered a few words which were half a fond appeal and half a magical formula, and then the women were alone. For a long while both were silent. The old woman sat sunk in her arm-chair while Gorgo stood with her back against the pedestal of a bust of Plato, gazing meditatively at the ground.
"Sachepris can only obey, and if the pretty mistress were to tell my lady Damia . . ." "It was she then who sent for me to go to the little tavern?" The woman nodded. "And Marcus?" "If the pretty mistress had consented . . ." "Well?" "Then but Great Isis! if you tell of me!" "I will not tell; go on." "I should have gone to my lord Marcus and invited him, from you . . ."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking