thing
worth seeing, looked in also, and finding it empty, expressed my
disappointment, not thinking, however, about the corn. A faint and
transient smile came over his countenance at the sight of mine. He
unfolded the chlamys, stretched it out with both hands before me,
and then cast it over my shoulders. I looked down on the
glittering fringe and screamed with joy. He then went out; and I
know not what flowers he gathered, but he gathered many; and some
he placed in my bosom, and some in my hair. But I told him with
captious pride, first that I could arrange them better, and again
that I would have only the white. However, when he had selected
all the white and I had placed a few of them according to my
fancy, I told him (rising in my slipper) he might crown me with
the remainder.

"The splendour of my apparel gave me a sensation of authority.
Soon as the flowers had taken their station on my head, I
expressed a dignified satisfaction at the taste displayed by my
father, just as if I could have seen how they appeared! But he
knew that there was at least as much pleasure as pride in it, and
perhaps we divided the latter (alas! not both) pretty equally.

"He now took me into the market-place, where a concourse of people
were waiting for the purchase of slaves. Merchants came and looked
at me; some commending, others disparaging; but all agreeing that
I was slender and delicate, that I could not live long, and that I
should give much trouble. Many would have bought the chlamys, but
there was something less saleable in the child and flowers.

"_AEsop_. Had thy features been coarse and thy voice rustic, they
would all have patted thy cheeks and found no fault in thee.

"_Rhodope_. As it was, every one had bought exactly such another
in time past, and been a loser by it. At these speeches, I
perceived the flowers tremble slightly on my bosom, from my
father's agitation. Although he scoffed at them, knowing my
healthiness, he was troubled internally, and said many short
prayers, not very unlike imprecations, turning his head aside.
Proud was I, prouder than ever, when at last several talents were
offered for me, and by the very man who in the beginning had
undervalued me most, and prophesied the worst of me. My father
scowled at him and refused the money. I thought he was play