For twenty years, indeed, he had ruled over the numerous slaves of Polybius, who was an easy-going master, and an invalid from gout in his feet.  He was at this time a victim to a fresh attack, and had therefore sent his confidential steward into the town to tell Heron that he approved of his son’s choice, and that he would protect Alexander from pursuit.

All this Andreas communicated in few and business-like words; but he then turned to Melissa, and said, in a tone of kindly and affectionate familiarity:  “Polybius also wishes to know how your lover is being cared for by the Christians, and from hence I am going on to see our sick boy.”

“Then ask your friends,” the gem-cutter broke in, to keep less ferocious dogs for the future.”

“That,” replied the freedman, “will be unnecessary, for it is not likely that the fierce brute belongs to the community whose friendship I am proud to claim; and, if it does, they will be as much grieved over the matter as we can be.”

“A Christian would never do another an ill turn!” said Heron, with a shrug.

“Never, so far as justice permits,” replied Andreas, decisively.  Then he inquired whether Heron had any message or news to send to his son; and when the gem-cutter replied that he had not, the freedman was about to go.  Melissa, however, detained him, saying: 

“I will go with you if you will allow me.”

“And I?” said Heron, irritably.  “It seems to me that children are learning to care less and less what their fathers’ views and requirements may be.  I have to go to Philip.  Who knows what may happen in my absence?  Besides—­no offense to you, Andreas—­what concern has my daughter among the Christians?”

“To visit her lover,” replied Andreas, sharply.  And he added, more quietly:  “It will be a pleasure to me to escort her; and your Argutis is a faithful fellow, and in case of need would be of more use here than an inexperienced girl.  I see no reasonable ground for detaining her, Heron.  I should like afterwards to take her home with me, across the lake; it would be a comfort to Polybius and soothe his pain to have his favorite with him, his future daughter.—­Get ready, my child.”

The artist had listened with growing anger, and a swift surge of rage made him long to give the freedman a sharp lesson.  But when his glaring eye met the Christian’s steady, grave gaze, he controlled himself, and only said, with a shrug which sufficiently expressed his feeling that he was surrendering his veto against his better judgment, addressing himself to Melissa and ignoring Andreas: 

“You are betrothed, and of age.  Go, for aught I care, in obedience to him whose wishes evidently outweigh mine.  Polybius’s son is your master henceforth.”

He folded his mantle, and when the girl hastened to help him he allowed her to do it; but he went on, to the freedman:  “And for aught I care, you may take her across the lake, too.  It is natural that Polybius should wish to see his future daughter.  But one thing I may ask for myself:  You have slaves and to spare; if anything happens to Alexander, let me hear of it at once.”