andthepoorgirlfelttheeffectsofittoo。Butitwasnotherfaultthatshewasblind，forshehadbeensofromherbirth。Bydegrees，wegotreconciledtoourpurchase。True，shehadnotthestrengthofStaphyla，andwasofverylittleuseinthehouse，butshecouldsoonfindherwayaboutthetown，aswellasifshehadtheeyesofArgus；andwhenonemorningshebroughtushomeahandfulofsesterces，whichshesaidshehadgotfromsellingsomeflowersshehadgatheredinourpoorlittlegarden，wethoughtthegodshadsenthertous。Sofromthattimewelethergooutasshelikes，fillingherbasketwithflowers，whichshewreathesintogarlandsaftertheThessalianfashion，whichpleasesthegallants；andthegreatpeopleseemtotakeafancytoher，fortheyalwayspayhermorethantheydoanyotherflower—girl，andshebringsallofithometous，whichismorethananyotherslavewoulddo。SoIworkformyself，butIshallsoonaffordfromherearningstobuymeasecondStaphyla；doubtless，theThessaliankidnapperhadstolentheblindgirlfromgentleparents。Besidesherskillinthegarlands，shesingsandplaysonthecithara，whichalsobringsmoney，andlately——butthatisasecret。’
’Thatisasecret！What！’criedLydon，’artthouturnedsphinx？’
’Sphinx，no！——whysphinx？’
’Ceasethygabble，goodmistress，andbringusourmeat——Iamhungry，’saidSporus，impatiently。
’AndI，too，’echoedthegrimNiger，whettinghisknifeonthepalmofhishand。