BooksBarbecue
Back The Private Life of Helen of Troy Save as PDF
Chapters (39)
  1. Cover
  2. The Private Life of Helen of Troy
  3. Contents
  4. NOTE
  5. PART I
  6. I
  7. II
  8. III
  9. IV
  10. V
  11. VI
  12. VII
  13. PART II
  14. I
  15. II
  16. III
  17. IV
  18. V
  19. VI
  20. PART III
  21. I
  22. II
  23. III
  24. IV
  25. V
  26. PART IV
  27. I
  28. II
  29. III
  30. IV
  31. V
  32. PART V
  33. I
  34. II
  35. III
  36. IV
  37. V
  38. VI
  39. VII

“Couldn’t he trust you with his secret?” said Helen. “I don’t like that at all. He will lose the best opportunity he is ever likely to have, if we can’t find him at the critical moment. You have no means of getting a message to him?”

“None whatever,” said Hermione, “but you mustn’t blame him; he wanted to tell me where he hides, but I wouldn’t let him. I had too many secrets of his already, and his life depended on this one. Besides, I got a sort of thrill out of his mysterious comings and goings—it was what a love-affair should be, I think, not regulated by ordinary information, but inspired by chance or providence or instinct.”

“I know your temperament,” said Helen. “Personally it wouldn’t take the bloom off romance for me if I knew where my lover was. We’ll have to wait till Orestes comes, then. I really hope it will be soon. And I want you to know, Hermione, I appreciate your willingness to do what I asked—to see Pyrrhus.”

“Before I go,” said Hermione, “you might tell me—I’m awfully curious—who Idomeneus is. Father got quite excited at his name.”

“He was one of my suitors,” said Helen, “and perhaps you ought to know about him; for it’s really because of him that I’m sure you do well to see Pyrrhus. When I was married the old custom still held for the suitors not to appear in person, but to send gifts with the offer of their hand, and let the lady and her parents decide. Of course you decided on some one you knew, or knew about. Idomeneus is a very original man. He was always far ahead of his times. He came himself with his gifts, and said that if he had the good fortune to win me, no one else should have the happiness of hearing the word of assent, and no one else should have the honour of bringing me to his home. Do you know, Hermione, I was so inexperienced then that I thought him most crude to go against the proper rules for a sentimental marriage. I rejected him first of all, and sent him off alone. Then I weighed the absentee suitors, conscientiously, conventionally, and as I felt, romantically, and decided on Menelaus. Idomeneus is a strange person to this day. He has never married. But it’s because of him that I think a girl should see all the possibilities, whether suitors or not, before she gives herself. Even at the best, we overlook so much!”

IV

IV

“All day I’ve thought of you, Adraste,” said Damastor. “You run in my head like a tune; whatever less lovely goes on round about me, I can always be silent and listen.”