“And it is a real pleasure to work for her,” added Sophilus.  “Other young ladies are beautified by what they wear, but your daughter adds beauty to all she wears.”

“You are most polite,” said Keraunus, as Arsinoe and her handmaid left the room.

“We learn a great deal by our intercourse with people of rank,” replied the tailor.  “The illustrious ladies who honor me with their custom like not only to see but to hear what is pleasing.  Unfortunately there are among them some whom the gods have graced with but few charms, and they, strangely enough, crave the most flattering speeches.  But the poor always value it more than the rich when benevolence is shown them.”

“Well said,” cried Keraunus.  “I myself am but indifferently well off for a man of family, and am glad to live within my moderate means—­so that my daughter—­”

“The lady Julia has chosen the costliest stuffs for her; as is fitting—­as the occasion demands,” said the tailor.  “Quite right, at the same time—­”

“Well, my lord?”

“The grand occasion will be over and my daughter, now that she is grown up, ought to be seen at home and in the street in suitable and handsome, though not costly, clothes.

“I said just now, true beauty needs no gaudy raiment.”

“Would you be disposed now, to work for me at a moderate price?”

“With pleasure; nay, I shall be indebted to her, for all the world will admire Roxana and inquire who may be her tailor.”

“You are a very reasonable and right-minded man.  What now would you charge for a dress for her?”

“That we can discuss later.”

“No, no, I beg you sincerely—­”

“First let me consider what you want.  Simple dresses are more difficult, far more difficult to make, and yet become a handsome woman better than rich and gaudy robes.  But can any man make a woman understand it?  I could tell you a tale of their folly!  Why many a woman who rides by in her chariot wears dresses and gems to conceal not merely her own limbs, but the poverty-stricken condition of her house.”

Thus, and in this wise did Keraunus and the tailor converse, while the assistant plaited up Arsinoe’s hair with strings of false pearls that she had brought with tier, and fitted and pinned on her the costly white and blue silk robes of an Asiatic princess.  At first Arsinoe was very still and timid.  She no longer cared to dress for any one but Pollux; but the garments prepared for her were wonderfully pretty—­and how well the fitter knew how to give effect to her natural advantages.  While the neat-handed woman worked busily and carefully many merry jests passed between them—­many sincere and hearty words of admiration—­and before long Arsinoe had become quite excited and took pleased interest in the needle-woman’s labors.

Every bough that is freshly decked by spring seems to feel gladness, and the simple child who was to-day so splendidly dressed was captivated by pleasure in her own beauty, and its costly adornment which delighted her beyond measure.  Arsinoe now clapped her hands with delight, now had the mirror handed to her, and now, with all the frankness of a child, expressed her satisfaction not only with the costly clothes she wore, but with her own surprisingly grand appearance in them.