which it caused her. She did not step forward to meet her lover, she
did not rise even from her seat; but the flutter of her unrest was
plain to see.[3]

[3] Lit. "the difficulty she had to keep so still was evident."

When Dionysus presently caught sight of her he loved, lightly he
danced towards her, and with show of tenderest passion gently reclined
upon her knees; his arms entwined about her lovingly, and upon her
lips he sealed a kiss;[4]--she the while with most sweet bashfulness
was fain to wind responsive arms about her lover; till the banqueters,
the while they gazed all eyes, clapped hands and cried "Encore!" But
when Dionysus rose upon his feet, and rising lifted Ariadne to her
full height, the action of those lovers as they kissed and fondled one
another was a thing to contemplate.[5] As to the spectators, they
could see that Dionysus was indeed most beautiful, and Ariadne like
some lovely blossom; nor were those mocking gestures, but real kisses
sealed on loving lips; and so,[6] with hearts aflame, they gazed
expectantly. They could hear the question asked by Dionysus, did she
love him? and her answer, as prettily she swore she did. And withal so
earnestly, not Dionysus only, but all present, had sworn an oath in
common: the boy and girl were verily and indeed a pair of happy
lovers. So much less did they resemble actors, trained to certain
gestures, than two beings bent on doing what for many a long day they
had set their hearts on.

[4] Or, "and encircling his arms about her impressed upon her lips a
kiss."

[5] Or, "then was it possible to see the more than mimic gestures."