“He’s been there several times recently, to see Hermione,” said Charitas. “I couldn’t say it before your servant, but I’d be quite satisfied if he cares for Hermione. No one could breathe a word against her.”

“They probably could, in some circumstances,” said Helen, “unless human nature is falling off. But I agree that she doesn’t deserve it. Does she happen to be interested in Damastor? Her father always wanted her to marry her cousin Orestes.”

“She never mentioned Orestes to me,” said Charitas, “nor my son either, I must say. She wouldn’t to his mother. She’s been here quite often recently. Come to think of it, she’s talked chiefly about—”

“Go on,” said Helen, “about what?”

“Why, about you. She explained it all, and I must say she took a weight off my mind.”

“You evidently expect me to understand you,” said Helen, “but I’m quite mystified. What did she explain? What was on your mind?”

“Oh, Helen, I really didn’t mean to bring the subject up—not so soon. But now I might as well go on. She explained about you and Paris, and I was so thankful to know that you were the innocent party.”

“Innocent of what? Are we speaking of crimes? A gratifying idea! Perhaps Hermione will explain it to her mother when I get home.”

“Well, not crimes, if you prefer,” said Charitas, “but I understood—we all did—that you ran away to Troy with Paris—that he was your lover, and you—you loved him. I confess I believed it, Helen—your husband made the same natural mistake. And since Paris was a prince, we thought he really was a gentleman. The moment Hermione explained his low character, and told me of the miraculous rescue heaven provided for you, I knew at once that you had been an unwilling victim, first and last. We’re all so glad that Menelaus could see it too, and forgive you.”

“Menelaus!” said Helen. “Well, to come back to Paris. Why does Hermione think his character was low?”

“He stole the furniture,” said Charitas.

“What?” cried Helen.

“So I learned from Hermione,” said Charitas, “and he forced you to go with him. Hermione expressed it very delicately, as a young girl should, but I got the impression that you resisted him all the way to Egypt, and there you were rescued. Really, Helen, it must have been a thrilling adventure.”

“Charitas,” said Helen, “I’m deeply interested in my daughter’s version of my story. When did she tell you all this?”

“Most of it before you came home, some of it since. The other day she looked in to say that since your return she had been able to confirm several details about Egypt.”

“What about Egypt?” said Helen. “You mentioned the country when I came in this afternoon, and I didn’t understand to what you referred.”

“Oh, Hermione gave me the names of the man and his wife with whom you stayed—Thon—Thonis? Is that it? and—Oh, yes, Polydamna.”

“I stayed in Egypt with Thonis and Polydamna, did I?” said Helen.