do so compensation maybe claimed from him by the
next owner for what he may lose. Lykophron certainly concealed nothing,
and setting aside his thieving propensities the Samian is said to be in
every respect a capital fellow."

"But father," replied Arsinoe, her anxiety once more urging her to
speak, "it is a bad thing to have a dishonest man in the house."

"You know nothing about it child!" answered Keraunus. "To us to live and
to be honest are the same thing, but a slave!--King Antiochus is said to
have declared that the man who wishes to be well served must employ none
but rascals."

When Arsinoe had been tempted out on to the balcony by her lover's
snatch of song and had been driven in again by her father, the steward
had not reproved her in any way unkindly, but had stroked her cheeks and
said with a smile: "I rather fancy that lad of the gatekeeper's--whom
I once turned out of doors has had his eye on you since you were chosen
for Roxana. Poor wretch! But we have very different suitors in view for
you my little girl. How would it be, think you, if rich Plutarch had
sent you those roses, not on his own behalf but as a greeting on the
part of his son? I know that he is very desirous of marrying him but the
fastidious man has never yet thought any Alexandrian girl good enough
for him."

"I do not know him, and he does not think of a poor thing like me," said
Arsinoe.

"Do you think not?" asked Keraunus smiling. "We are of as good family,
nay of a better than Plutarch, and the fairest is a match for the
wealthiest. What would you say child to a long flowing purple robe and a
chariot with white horses, and runners in front?"

At breakfast Keraunus drank two cups of strong wine, in which he allowed
Arsinoe to mix only a few drops of water. While his daughter was curling
his hair a swallow flew into the room; this was a good omen and raised
the steward's spirits. Dressed in his best and with a well-filled purse,
he was on the point of starting for the council-chamber with his new
slave when Sophilus the tailor and his girl-assistant were shown into
the living-room. The man begged to be allowed to try the dress, ordered
for Roxana by the prefect's wife, on the steward's daughter. Keraunus
received him with much condescension and allowed him to bring in the
slave who followed him with a large parcel of dresses,--and Arsinoe, who
was with the children, was called.

Arsinoe was embarrassed and anxious and would far r