So they sent away my merchant of fruits, who married the daughter of another merchant of fruits and throve very well in business.
He came to see me some years ago, fat as a tub, his face scored all over with the marks of the spotted sickness, and we talked about old times.
I gave him a concession to import dried fruits into Byzantium--that is what he came to see me for--and now he's dead.

Well, my mother was right, for afterwards this poor beauty of mine took the fancy of the late Emperor, and, being very pious, he married me.

So the Greek girl, by the will of God, became Augusta and the first woman in the world." "By the will of God ?" I repeated.
"Aye, I suppose so, or else all is raw chance.

At least, I, who to-day might have been bargaining over dried fruits, as I should have done had I won my will, am--what you know.

Look at this robe," and she spread her glittering dress before me.