“Then would you mind if I talked with him? It was my sister he killed, and if anyone here is to blame for the death of Pyrrhus, it is I, who suggested his coming. I claim the right to speak with Orestes, Menelaus.”

“I don’t see what there is to say to him, Helen. He’ll probably take the occasion to lecture you on your behaviour, or he’ll point out where I have done wrong.”

“He may ask me why you didn’t help him to avenge his father,” said Helen. “If he does, I’ll explain that I kept you at home. If he tells me that I have made mistakes, I’ll admit it, and I’ll fill in any gaps in his information about my past life. Orestes has no terrors for me, and I’m very eager to meet him. How soon can you get him here, Hermione?”

“Not here, Helen!” said Menelaus.

“The whole point would be lost if I met him anywhere else, and it would hardly be proper for me to be meeting him out of my own house, and away from your protection, Menelaus. How soon do you think, Hermione?”

“I prefer not to have him come, since father objects.”

“Quite right,” said Helen, “but your father has withdrawn his objection.”

“I didn’t know that I did.”

“I beg your pardon! I thought you agreed it was more discreet for me to see him here than alone and away from the house.”

“Oh, yes, in that sense,” said Menelaus.

“Well, then, how soon do you think, Hermione?”

“I don’t want him to come, mother. I’m not sure what you would do to him.”

“My dear child, he’s entirely safe. My word of honour, nothing will happen to him here.”

“I don’t know what you would say to him, and I don’t want him to see you,” said Hermione. “He’s perfectly happy now—or would be if it were not for his private misfortunes.”

“That’s all that prevents any of us from being happy,” said Helen, “except the few who worry over the misfortunes of others. You don’t think Orestes is of that kind. Send him here, Hermione. I promise to let you have him again. Could he be here to-morrow?”

“You’d be wise to send him,” said Menelaus. “It will come to the same thing in the end. Your mother wants to see him. I assure you I shan’t let him stay long, and we shan’t do him any harm.”

“Let me know when he’s coming,” said Eteoneus, “and I’ll tell the new gate-keeper to turn his back and pretend not to notice him. You couldn’t give a man like that a formal hospitality.”

“What’s this about a new gate-keeper?” said Helen. “The old one is very satisfactory.”