ivan only covered the outer border of the picture, which was decorated
with graceful little Cupids.

Keraunus desired his daughter to fetch him a cup of wine, but she mixed
the juice of the grape with a judicious measure of water. After he had
half drunk the diluted contents of the goblet, with many faces of
disgust, he said:

"Would you like to know what each of your dresses will cost if it is to
be in no respect inferior to those of the others?"

"Well," said Arsinoe anxiously.

"About seven hundred drachmae;--[$115 in 1880]--Philinus, the tailor, who
is working for the theatre, tells me it will be impossible to do anything
well for less."

"And you are really thinking of such insane extravagance," cried Selene.
"We have no money, and I should like to know the man who would lend us
any more."

The steward's younger daughter looked doubtfully at the tips of her
fingers and was silent, but her eyes swimming in tears betrayed what she
felt. Keraunus was rejoiced at the silent consent which Arsinoe seemed to
accord to his desire to let her take part in the display at whatever
cost. He forgot that he had just reproached her for her low sentiments,
and said:

"The little one always feels what is right. As for you, Selene, I beg you
to reflect seriously that I am your father, and that I forbid you to use
this admonishing tone to me; you have accustomed yourself to it with the
children and to them you may continue to use it. Fourteen hundred
drachmae certainly, at the first thought of it, seems a very large sum,
but if the material and the trimming required are bought with judgment,
after the festival we may very likely sell it back to the man with
profit."

"With profit!" cried Selene bitterly, "not half is to be got for old
things-not a quarter! And even if you turn me out of the house--I will
not help to drag us into deeper wretchedness; I will take no part in the
performances."

The steward did not redden this time, he was not even violent; on the
contrary, he simply raised his head and compared his daughters as they
stood--not without an infusion of satisfaction. He was accustomed to love
his daughters in his own way, Selene as the useful one, and Arsinoe as
the beauty; and as on this occasion all he cared for was to satisfy his
vanity, and as this end could be attained through his younger daughter
alone, he said:

"Stay with the children then, for all I care. We will excuse you on the
score of weak health,