rs are concerned. But here!--it need not
make you vainer than you already are, but except my father, you are
dearest in all the world to me. And then, only listen! In my character
as priestess of Demeter I hereby release you from your vow, and thus
from any evil consequences of your, moreover, very trivial guilt; for a
father and daughter who live together, as I do with your uncle, are
just the same as one person. So come! Wearied as I am by the miserable
hunting excursion which caused me such vexation, in the presence of your
works--rely upon it--I shall instantly be gay again, and all my life
will thank you for your noble indulgence."

While speaking, she walked toward the white house, beckoning to the
young men with a winning, encouraging smile.

It seemed to produce the effect intended, for the artists looked at
each other irresolutely, and Hermon was already asking himself whether
Daphne's arguments had convinced Myrtilus also, when the latter, in
great excitement, called after her: "How gladly we would do it, but we
must not fulfil your wish, for it was no light promise--no, your father
exacted an oath. He alone can absolve us from the obligation of showing
him, before any one else, what we finish here. It is not to be submitted
to the judges until after he has seen it."

"Listen to me!" Daphne interrupted with urgent warmth, and began to
assail the artists with fresh entreaties.

For the second time black-bearded Hermon seemed inclined to give up his
resistance, but Myrtilus cried in zealous refusal: "For Hermon's sake,
I insist upon my denial. The judges must not talk about the work until
both tasks are completed, for then each of us will be as good as certain
of a prize. I myself believe that the one for Demeter will fall to me."

"But Hermon will succeed better with the Arachne?" asked Daphne eagerly.

Myrtilus warmly assented, but Hermon exclaimed: "If I could only rely
upon the good will of the judges!"

"Why not?" the girl interrupted. "My father is just, the king is an
incorruptible connoisseur, and certainly yesterday evening you, too,
believed the others to be honest men; as for your fellow-candidate
Myrtilus, he will no more grudge a prize to you than to himself."

"Why should he?" asked Hermon, as if he, too, was perfectly sure of his
friend. "We have shared many a bit of bread together. When we determined
upon this competition each knew the other's ability. Your father
commissioned us to creat