received these insinuations of the pursuits of her visitor. Her
countenance did not satisfy him. Glaucus, slightly coloring, hastened
gaily to reply. Nor was he, perhaps, without the wish in his turn to
disconcert and abash the Egyptian.

'You are right, wise Arbaces,' said he; 'we can esteem each other, but
we cannot be friends. My banquets lack the secret salt which, according
to rumor, gives such zest to your own. And, by Hercules! when I have
reached your age, if I, like you, may think it wise to pursue the
pleasures of manhood, like you, I shall be doubtless sarcastic on the
gallantries of youth.'

The Egyptian raised his eyes to Glaucus with a sudden and piercing
glance.

'I do not understand you,' said he, coldly; 'but it is the custom to
consider that wit lies in obscurity.' He turned from Glaucus as he
spoke, with a scarcely perceptible sneer of contempt, and after a
moment's pause addressed himself to Ione.

'I have not, beautiful Ione,' said he, 'been fortunate enough to find
you within doors the last two or three times that I have visited your
vestibule.'

'The smoothness of the sea has tempted me much from home,' replied Ione,
with a little embarrassment.

The embarrassment did not escape Arbaces; but without seeming to heed
it, he replied with a smile: 'You know the old poet says, that "Women
should keep within doors, and there converse."'