.......and the free impulse of the yielding soul....I had not the desires you charge me with."

"Will you allow Cyane to. have "charms?"

"Would the possession of them "give you pleasure ?”

"Most probably.......but I avoid temptation."

Hippias lost all patience.....and, as it is not the principles of a Sophist to argue with a heated brain, he very dryly said.....

My friend....we are playing a "silly farce;" and with a sneer..... left the room.

The following evening, Hippias desired me to attend him to an evening party.....I obeyed.

We entered at the portico of a superb Structure.....passing through a double colonnade of Ionic pillars, interspersed

with statues of surprising workmanship....the interior decoration corresponded with its exterior magnifi

cence.

We were preceded by numberless young slaves of uncommon beauty, who led to the grand Saloon.....It was brilliantly illuminated with crystal chandeliers...and a select company reclined on sofas round the apartment.

The moment we entered........a lady arose........and approaching me with grace and politeness.......irresistibly seducing.......said,......." The friend of Hippias may consider himself at

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66 home in the house of Danae."

I could not even stammer a reply.... With difficulty....I bowed.

To give you an idea of my angelic hostess is impossible......When she addressed me......I felt an unusual sensation thrill at my heart.....and a painful pleasure trembled in my veins.

She was beautiful beyond imagination....combining such extraordinary perfection as vulgar souls could neither assume or attempt......her air......her smile....her attitude.....her gait.....were so peculiarly her own.....the goddesses would have envied her transcendent loveliness.

I looked.....admired.....loved!

Even the remembrance of my Psyche was lost, while my enraptured soul gazed on this earthly divinity.

The party consisted of persons intimately acquainted with each other, who were distinguished by an engaging urbanity of manners.......No one seemed to notice my awkward surprise......while I sat silently gazing on Danae, almost unconscious of the persons around me.

When I became more composed..... I could not avoid contrasting the splendor in which the company was

dressed...and the simplicity of Danae's appearance, which disdained the aid of

ornament.

Her gown was of white silk taffeta with narrow purple stripes......and her black hair.....fancifully braided......displayed a single.....full blown.....rose.

I almost thought this artless dress concealed too much......till a small delicaté foot..more beautiful than alábaster, lightly veined with blue.....peeped from beneath its silken curtain......and gave a presentiment of those exquisite charms her garments so maliciously concealed.

Supper concluded.....and a male and female dancer entered the Saloon.

To the soft music of a first and second flute, they represented the story of Daphne and Apollo.

"How do you like this dancing "girl, Callias?".....said Danae to me. I was the only creature in the room

who had not observed the extraordinary beauty of this exquisite Daphne. ....but, roused by the question.....I became more attentive......and replied.....

"I am of opinion.....fair Danae....., "that a too ardent wish to please has "misled her.......Ah, why......in her "precipitate flight...does the diffident

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virgin so often look behind her?.....

and with eyes.....too.....which seem "to reproach the too tardy pursuit of "her lover?"

But when Daphne was reduced to implore the assistance of the river God .....I involuntarily exclaimed.....

"How charming!...Ah, she changes "to a laurel in the midst of her

prayers.....See......she grows pale.... "she trembles....her feet have already

taken root.....she cannot move the "position of her extended arms..... "life is at its last gasp.....she gives the 66 moment to love. With what inde