roses, glowing under a transparent skin. It was Aeson renewed and
thankless; and he sat on, devouring my substance.

Now having probed my weakness, and being satisfied that I no longer
dared to turn him out, he, who had half-imposed his native tongue
upon us, constraining the household to a hideous jargon, the bastard
growth of two languages, condescended to jerk us back rudely into our
own speech once more, mastering it with a readiness that proved his
former dissimulation, and using it henceforward as the sole vehicle
of his wishes. On his past life he remained silent; but took
occasion to confide in me that he proposed embracing a military
career, as soon as he should tire of the shelter of my roof.

And I groaned in my chamber; for that which I feared had come to
pass. He was making open love to my wife. And the eyes with which
he looked at her, and the lips with which he coaxed her, had been
mine; and I was an old man. Judge now between me and this guest.

One morning I went to my wife; for the burden was past bearing, and I
must satisfy myself. I found her tending the plants on her
window-ledge; and when she turned, I saw that years had not taken
from her comeliness one jot. And I was old.

So I taxed her on the matter of this Stranger, saying this and that,
and how I had cause to believe he loved her.

"That is beyond doubt," she answered, and smiled.

"By my head, I believe his fancy is returned!" I blurted out.