Before him, as well as before me, hovered--since you wish to know it--in Alexandria, when we first began to model the head of the goddess, a certain charming face which is as dear to one as to the other." Daphne, joyously excited, held out her hand to the artist, exclaiming: "Oh, how kind that is! Yet how was it possible, since I posed neither to him nor to you ?" "Hermon had finished your bust only a short time before, and you permitted me to use your head for my statue of the goddess of Peace, which went down with the ship on the voyage to Ostia.

This was at the disposal of us both in three or four reproductions, and, besides, it hovered before our mental vision clearly enough.

When the time to show you our work arrives, you will be surprised to discover how differently two persons see and copy the same object." "Now that I know so much, and have a certain share in your works, I insist upon seeing them!" cried Daphne with far greater impetuosity than usual.

"Tell Hermon so, and remind him that I shall at any rate expect him to meet the Pelusinian guests at the banquet.

Threaten him seriously with my grave displeasure if he persists in leaving it speedily." "I will not fail to do my part," replied Myrtilus; "but as to your wish to see the two Demeters--" "That will come to pass," interrupted Daphne, "as soon as we three are together again like a clover leaf." She returned the sculptor's farewell greeting as she spoke, but before he reached the entrance to the tent she again detained him with the exclamation: "Only this one thing more: Does Hermon deceive himself when he hopes so confidently for success with the weaver, Arachne ?" "Hardly--if the model whom he desires does not fail him." "Is she beautiful, and did he find her here in Tennis ?" asked Daphne, trying to assume an indifferent manner; but Myrtilus was not deceived, and answered gaily: "That's the way people question children to find out things.