The huge hewn stones which he required for this purpose had been taken from the Temple of Nemesis, which he was supervising.  Whatever number of government slaves he needed were at his disposal, so Gorgias’s foreman reported, proudly adding that before the sun went down, the architect would have shown the Alexandrians the marvel of removing the twin statues from one place to another in a single day, and yet establishing them as firmly as the Colossus which had been in Thebes a thousand years.

Dion found the piece of sculpture in front of Didymus’s garden, ready for removal, but the slaves who had placed before the platform the rollers on which it was to be moved had already been kept waiting a long time by the architect.

This was his third visit to the old philosopher’s house.  First, he had been obliged to inform him and his family that their property was no longer in danger; then he had come to tell them at what hour he would remove the statues, which still attracted many curious spectators; and, finally, he had again appeared, to announce that they were to be taken away at once.  His foreman or a slave could probably have done this, but Helena—­Didymus’s granddaughter, Barine’s sister—­drew him again and again to the old man’s home.  He would gladly have come still more frequently, for at every meeting he had discovered fresh charms in the beautiful, quiet, thoughtful maiden, who cared so tenderly for her aged grandparents.  He believed that he loved her, and she seemed glad to welcome him.  But this did not entitle him to seek her hand, though his large, empty house so greatly needed a mistress.  His heart had glowed with love for too many.  He wished first to test whether this new fancy would prove more lasting.  If he succeeded in remaining faithful even a few days, he would, as it were, reward himself for it, and appear before Didymus as a suitor.

He excused his frequent visits to himself on the pretext of the necessity of becoming acquainted with his future wife, and Helena made the task easier for him.  The usual reserve of her manner lessened more and more; nay, the great confidence with which he at first inspired her was increased by his active assistance.  When he entered just now, she had even held out her hand to him, and inquired about the progress of his work.

He was overwhelmed with business, but so great was his pleasure in talking with her that he lingered longer than he would have deemed right under any other circumstances, and regarded it as an unpleasant interruption when Barine—­for whom his heart had throbbed so warmly only yesterday—­entered the tablinum.

The young beauty was by no means content with a brief greeting; but drew Helena entirely away from him.  Never had he seen her embrace and kiss her sister so passionately as while hurriedly telling her that she had come to bid farewell to the loved ones in her grandparents’ house.

Berenike had arrived with her, but went first to the old couple.