'Sweet is the lot of the couple whom love has united;
But gold is a debt, and needs must at once be restored.'

"There, that is the dose. But doves are not human creatures, and I know
at once what my answer shall be. Give me the fibula, Publius, that
clasps that cloak in which you look like one of your own messengers. I
will write my answer on the wax."

The Roman handed to Lysias the golden circlet armed with a strong pin,
and while he stood holding his cloak together with his hands, as he was
anxious to avoid recognition by the passers-by that frequented this
street, the Corinthian wrote as follows:

"When doves are courting the lover adorns himself only;
But when a youth loves, he fain would adorn his beloved."

"Am I allowed to hear it?" asked Publius, and his friend at once read
him the lines; then he gave the tablet to the boy, with the bracelet
which he hastily wrapped up again, and desired him to take it back
immediately to the fair Irene. But the Roman detained the lad, and
laying his hand on the Greek's shoulder, he asked him: "And if the young
girl accepts this gift, and after it many more besides--since you are
rich enough to make her presents to her heart's content--what then,
Lysias?"

"What then?" repeated the other with more indecision and embarrassment
than was his wont. "Then I wait for Klea's return home and--Aye! you may
laugh at me, but I have been thinking seriously of marrying this girl,
and taking her with me to Corinth. I am my father's only son, and for