CHAPTER THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH.

In a towering passion, Lycas leaped forward, "Oh you silly woman," he shouted, "as if those scars were made by the letters on the branding-iron! If only they had really blotched up their foreheads with those inscriptions, it would be some satisfaction to us, at least; but as it is, we are being imposed upon by an actor's tricks, and hoaxed by a fake inscription!" Tryphaena was disposed to mercy, as all was not lost for her pleasures, but Lycas remembered the seduction of his wife and the insults to which he had been subjected in the portico of the temple of Hercules: "Tryphaena," he gritted out, his face convulsed with savage passion, "you are aware, I believe, that the immortal gods have a hand in human affairs: what did they do but lead these scoundrels aboard this ship in ignorance of the owner and then warn each of us alike, by a coincidence of dreams, of what they had done? Can you then see how it would be possible to let off those whom a god has, himself, delivered up to punishment? I am not a cruel man; what moves me is this: I am afraid I shall have to endure myself whatever I remit to them!" At this superstitious plea Tryphaena veered around; denying that she would plead for quarter, she was even anxious to help along the fulfillment of this retribution, so entirely just: she had herself suffered an insult no less poignant than had Lycas, for her chastity had been called in question before a crowd.

Primeval Fear created Gods on earth when from the sky

The lightning-flashes rent with flame the ramparts of the world,

And smitten Athos blazed! Then, Phoebus, sinking to the earth,

His course complete, and waning Luna, offerings received.

The changing seasons of the year the superstition spread

Throughout the world; and Ignorance and Awe, the toiling boor,

To Ceres, from his harvest, the first fruits compelled to yield

And Bacchus with the fruitful vine to crown. Then Pales came

Into her own, the shepherd's gains to share. Beneath the waves

Of every sea swims Neptune. Pallas guards the shops,

And those impelled by Avarice or Guilt, create new Gods!