ather have yielded
her part to another; still, she was curious about the new dresses. The
tailor begged her to allow her maid to dress her; his assistant would
help her because the dresses which were only slightly stitched together
for trying on, were cut, not in the Greek but in the Oriental fashion.

"Your waiting woman," he added turning to Arsinoe, "will be able to
learn to-day the way to dress you on the great occasion."

"My daughter's maid," said Keraunus, winking slily at Arsinoe, "is not
in the house."

"Oh, I require no help," cried the tailor's girl. "I am handy too at
dressing hair, and I am most glad to help such a fair Roxana."

"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