And then Electra unfolded her grief to them saying, “I pray you, daughters of Argos, that ye think no evil of me as of one that altogether wanteth wisdom and patience.  For what woman of the better sort would not do even as I?  For think how I am constrained to live with them that slew my father; and that every day I see this base AEgisthus sitting upon that which was his throne, and wearing the selfsame robes; and how he is husband to this mother of mine, if indeed she be a mother who can stoop to such vileness.  And know that every month on the day on which she slew my father she maketh festival and offereth sacrifice to the Gods.  And all this am I constrained to see, weeping in secret, for indeed it is not permitted to me publicly to show such sorrow as my heart desireth.  Ofttimes indeed this woman mocketh me, and would know why I sorrow more than others, seeing that others also have lost their fathers.  But sometimes, if it so chance that she hear from some one that Orestes prepareth to come back to this land, she is furious above measure, and rageth as a wild beast; and her husband, this coward that maketh war against women, stirreth up her fury against me.  And still do I look for Orestes when he shall come; but he tarrieth long, and in the meantime I perish with sorrow and trouble.”

Then the daughters of Argos, when they had made inquiry and heard that AEgisthus was absent and that they could speak more freely of these matters, would fain know whether she had heard news of her brother Orestes, and bade her be of good heart concerning him.  But as they spake together, the sister of Electra, Chrysothemis, came forth with offerings for the tomb of her father in her hand, and other maidens followed her.  Now these two were different one from the other, for Electra was full of courage, and would have no peace with those whom she hated, and sought not to hide what was in her heart, but Chrysothemis was fearful, and would live peaceably with them that she loved not, and would speak them fair.  And now, when Electra saw her sister come forth, she brake out against her with many angry words, saying that she did ill to choose the part of a mother who had done such wickedness, and to forget her father; and that it was a base thing in her to live softly and at ease, consorting with the evildoers.

And when the Argive maidens would have made peace between them, Chrysothemis answered, “These words are not strange to me; nor should I take note of them, but that I have heard of a great trouble that is ready to fall upon my sister here, and stay her complaints even for ever.”

“Nay, what is this?” said Electra.  “Speakest thou of trouble greater than that which I now endure?”

“Surely,” the other made reply, “for they will send thee far hence, and shut thee up where thou shalt never more see the light of the sun, if thou stayest not these complaints.”

But Electra did not fear one whit to hear these things, but waxed fiercer in her anger.  And, after a while, as the strife ceased not between them, Chrysothemis would have gone on her way.  And when Electra perceived this, she asked her for what purpose and whither she was carrying these offerings to the dead.