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"Cautious inquiry saves recantation," replied Bias importantly "Yet you may believe my experience, it is Myrtilus Farant reat talent, it conceded to the other long ago And, besides, we are not starving; but Myrtilus is as rich as King Croesus of Sardis Not that Daphne, who is stifling in gold herself, would care about that, but whoever knows life knohere doves are, doves will fly"

Stephanion, however, was of a different opinion, not only because Daphne talked far more about the black-bearded cousin than the fair one, but because she knew the girl, and was seldom mistaken in such matters She would not deny that Daphne was also fond of Myrtilus Yet probably neither of the artists, but Philotas, would lead home the bride, for he was related to the royal family--a fine, handsome man; and, besides, her father preferred him to the other suitors who hovered around her as flies buzzed about honey Of course, matters would be more favourable to Philotas in any other household Who else in Alexandria would consult the daughter long, when he was choosing her future husband? But Archias was a white raven a fathers, and would never force his only child to do anything

Marrying and loving, however, were two different affairs If Eros had the final decision, her choice ht perhaps fall on one of the artists

Here she was interrupted by the slave's indignant excla, but her wit is short,' says the proverb 'Waiting is the merchant's wisdom,' I have heard your master say more than once, and to obey the words of shrewd people is the best plan for those who are not so wise Meanwhile, I aht Daphne--who, after all, is only a woman--to this place She wants to see the statues of Demeter which her father ordered from us"

"And the Arachne?" asked the maid This was an opportune question to the slave--how often he had heard the artists utter the word "Arachne!"--and his pride of education had suffered fro about her except the name, which in Greek meant "the spider"

Some special story must surely be associated with this Arachne, for which hiscountrywoman, Ledscha, as a model, and whose statues Archias intended to place in his house in Alexandria and in the great weaving establishment at Tennis beside the statue of Demeter