When she came close up to the screen to call Pollux, the woman, who was certainly sitting to him as a model, spoke louder than before, and called out merrily: "But this is delicious! I am to let you fulfil the office of my maid, what audacity these artists have!" "Say yes," begged the artist, in the gay and cordial tone which more than once had helped to ensnare Selene's heart.

"You are beautiful, Balbilla, but if you would allow me, you might be far handsomer than you are even." And again there was a merry laugh behind the screen.

The pleasant voice must have hurt poor Selene acutely for she drew up her shoulders, and her fair features were stamped with an expression of keen suffering, and she pressed both hands over her heart as she went on past the screen and her handsome flirting playfellow, limping across the courtyard and into the road.
What tortured the poor child so cruelly?
The poverty of her house, and her bodily pain, which increased at every step, or her numbed and sore heart, betrayed of her newly-blossoming, last, and fairest hope?
.