Product Code Database
Excerpt: ...Arsinoe looked down in some embarrassment, then she hastily shook her head in vehement negation and hurried away
Pontius looked after her with compassion and sympathy. Poor, pretty little creature! he murmured to himself, and went on to his sister''s room. The house-steward had announced his visit, and Paulina met him on the threshold. In his sister''s sitting-room the architect found Eumenes, the bishop, a dignified old man with clear, kind eyes. Your name is in everybody''s mouth to-day, said Paulina, after the usual greetings. They say you did wonders last night. I got home very tired, said Pontius, but as you so pressingly desired to speak to me, I shortened my hours of rest. How sorry I am! exclaimed the widow. The bishop perceived that the brother and sister had business to discuss together, and asked whether he were not interrupting it. On the contrary, cried Paulina. The subject under discussion is my newly-adopted daughter who, unhappily, has her head full of silly and useless things. She tells me she has seen you at Lochias, Pontius. Yes, I know the pretty child. Yes, she is lovely to look upon, said the widow. But her heart and mind have been left wholly untrained, and in her the doctrine falls upon stony ground, for she avails herself of every unoccupied moment to stare at the horsemen and chariots that pass on the way to the Hippodrome. By this inquisitive gaping she fills her head with a thousand useless and distracting fancies; I am not always at home, and so it will be best to have the pernicious window walled up. And did you send for me only to have that done? cried Pontius, much annoyed. Your house-slaves, I should think, might have been equal to that without my assistance. Perhaps, but then the wall would have to be freshly whitewashed-I know how obliging you always are. Thank you very much. To-morrow I will send you two regular workmen. Nay, to-day, at once if possible. Are you in such pressing haste...
|
|
