"Of what sort is he?" she asked presently. "A hunter like Meleager--or
cunning like Theseus--or noble like Perseus, whom I love best of all?"

"He is not very Greek to look at, I am afraid, except perhaps in his
length of limb," and the Professor smiled. "He is just a thin, lanky,
rather distinguished young Englishman and was considered to be the most
brilliant of my pupils, taking a Double First under my auspices and
leaving Oxford with flying colors when I retired myself a year or two
ago. He has been very lucky since, he is full of ambitions in the
political line, and he has a fearless and rather caustic wit."

"I must think of him as Pericles, then, if he is occupied with the
state," said Halcyone. "But how has he been lucky since? I would like to
know--tell me, please, and I will try not to mind his being here."

"Yes--try--" said Mr. Carlyon. "After he took his degree he studied law
and history, you know, as well as the Greek philosophy which you may
come to some day--he went to London to the Temple to read for the bar.
He never intended to be a practicing barrister, but everything is a
means to his career. Then his luck came--he has lots of friends and
relations in the great world and at one of their country houses he met
the Prime Minister, who took a tremendous fancy to him, and the thing
going well, the great man finally asked him to be his assistant private
secretary, which post he accepted. The chief private secretary last year
being made governor of a colony, John has now stepped into his shoes,
and presently he will go into Parliament. He is a brilliant fellow and
cares for no man--following only his own star. I shall be very glad to
see him again."