Aphrodite: Book Three: Chapter Three. Rhacotis
THE door scarcely closed, Chrysis laid her hand over her racing and burning heart as one presses a painful spot to lessen the throbbing. Then she leaned her shoulder against a column and wrung her fingers in an agony of exasperation, moaning softly. Would she, then, never know? In proportion with the passing hours, the augmented improbability of her success blazed out before her. To demand the mirror abruptly would be a daring way to learn the truth. But, in case it had been taken, she would draw all suspicions on herself and would be lost. On the other hand, she could no longer remain there without speaking; impatience had driven her from the hall. Timon's loutish behavior had exasperated her dumb rage into a trembling frenzy which forced her to press her body against the coolness of the great, smooth column. She feared a nervous attack. She called the slave Arete. "Keep my jewels for me; I am going out." And she descended the seven steps. Not a breath of air fanned the heavy drops of perspiration on "Let me pass. "Eh? Art thou lost, young girl? Thou dost not know Rhacotis, eh? We are going to show thee the town . . ." And they both grasped her by the girdle. She cried out, struggled, struck out with her fist, but the second sailor seized both her hands in his left hand and said only: "Be quiet. Thou knowest they love not the Greeks here; no one will come to help thee." "I am not a Greek!" "Thou liest, thou hast white skin and a straight nose. Be still, if thou fearest a beating." Chrysis looked at the speaker. "I will follow thee," she said. "Thou wilt follow us both. Walk with us; thou wilt be amused." Whither would they lead her? She had no idea; but the second sailor pleased her with his roughness, his brute-like head. She considered him with the imperturbable gaze of a young dog before meat. She swayed her body toward him, to touch him while walking. With rapid steps, they traversed strange quarters, without life,RHACOTIS
