290 ' DIPHILUS.

Sicily, where he would get a high price for. his
slaves, and put Plesidippus’s deposit into his pocket
besides. The very day the purchase was to be com-
pleted, he had set sail, having fooled the young man
by making an appointment at the temple.

Labrax, of course, had no idea that what he said
about the two girls being saved could possibly be
true. He was sitting very disconsolately on the
ground, when he overheard the slave of Deemones
talking to himself. The man had been so charmed
with Ampelisca, who was a very pretty and lively
girl, that he had drawn the water which she had
come to fetch,.and had carried it for her into the
temple. What he saw there so astonished him that
he could not help talking about it when he came
out. .

“I never saw such a thing in my life,” he said.
“Two girls sitting with their arms-round the statue
of the goddess, as if they were afraid. of being
dragged away.”

.Labrax pricked up his ears. ‘What do you say,
young man?” he asked. ‘Two girls! Where?”

“In the temple, to be sure,” said the man.

“ Charmides,” pace Labrax, “they must be mine.
I will go.in and see.’

Just as he went in, Demones came out be his
cottage, talking to himself.

“‘What fools the gods make of us. Even at night
they don’t let us sleep in peace. Last night I had