“My own abominable folly,” he answered mournfully and, with the feeling that it would relieve his heart to pour out to this true friend what he would usually have confided only to his Myrtilus, he hurriedly related how he had recognised in Ledscha the best model for his Arachne, how he had sought her love, and then, detained by Althea, left her in the lurch and most deeply offended and insulted her.  Lastly, he gave a brief but vivid description of his meeting with the vengeful barbarian girl in the Temple of Nemesis, how Ledscha had invoked upon him the wrath of the terrible goddess, and how the most horrible punishment had fallen upon him directly after the harsh accusation of the Biamite.

The matron had listened to this confession in breathless suspense.  Now she fixed her eyes on the floor, shook her gray head gently, and said anxiously:  “Is that it?  It certainly puts things in a different light.  As the son of your never-to-be-forgotten mother, you are indeed dear to my heart; but Daphne is not less dear to me, and though in your marriage I just saw happiness for you both, that is now past.  What is poverty, what is blindness!  Eros would reconcile far more difficult problems, but his arrows are shattered on the armour of Nemesis.  Where there is a pair of lovers, and she raises her scourge against one of them, the other will also be struck.  Until you feel that you are freed from this persecutor, it would be criminal to bind a loving woman to you and your destiny.  It is not easy to find the right path for you both, for even Nemesis and her power do not make the slightest change in the fact that you need faithful care and watching in your blindness.  Daylight brings wisdom, and we will talk further to-morrow.”

She rose as she spoke; but Hermon detained her, while from his lips escaped the anxious question, “So you will take Daphne away from me, and leave me alone in my blindness?”

“You in your blindness?” cried Thyone, and the mere reproachful tone of the question banished the fear.  “I would as quickly deprive my own son of my support as I would you just at this time, my poor boy; but whether my conscience will permit me to let Daphne remain near you only grant me, I repeat it, until sunrise to-morrow for reflection.  My old heart will then find the right way.”

“Yet whatever you may decide concerning us,” pleaded the blind man, “tell Daphne that, on the eve of losing her, I first felt in its full power how warmly I love her.  Even without Nemesis, the joy of making her mine would have been denied me.  Fate will never permit me to possess her; yet never again to hear her gentle voice, never more to feel her dear presence, would be blinding me a second time.”

“It need not be imposed upon you long,” said the matron soothingly.