r, and what he said must be sometimes grave
and captivating and sometimes witty, for not she alone but the little
maid's governess listened to him eagerly, and when the fair one laughed
it was in particularly sweet, clear tones. There was something so
lofty in her mien that this frank expression of contentment was almost
startling; like a breath of perfume from some gorgeous flower which
seems created to rejoice the eye only. And she, to whom all that Orion
had to say was addressed, listened to him not only with deep attention,
but in a way which showed the merchant that she cared even more for
the speaker than for what he was so eager in expressing. If this maiden
wedded the governor's son, they would indeed be a pair! Taus, the
innkeeper's wife, now came out, a buxom and vigorous Egyptian woman of
middle age, carrying some of the puffs for which she was famous, and
which she had just made with her own hands. She also served them with
milk, grapes and other fruit, her eyes sparkling with delight and
gratified ambition; for the son of the great Mukaukas, the pride of the
city, who in former years had often been her visitor, and not only for
the sake of her cakes, in water parties with his gay companions--mostly
Greek officers who now were all dead and gone or exiles from the
country--now did her the honor to come here so soon after his return.
Her facile tongue knew no pause as she told him that she and her husband
had gone forth with the rest to welcome him at the triumphal arch near
Menes' Gate, and Emau with them, and the little one. Yes, Emau was
married now, and had called her first child Orion. And when the young
man asked Dame Taus whether Emau was as charming as ever and as like her
mother as she used to be, she shook her finger at him and asked in her
turn, as she pointed towards the young lady, whether the fickle bird at
whose departure so many had sighed, was to be caged at last, and whether
yon fair lady....

But Orion cut her short, saying that he was still his own master though
he already felt the noose round his neck; and the fair lady blushed even
more deeply than at the good woman's first question. He however soon
got over his awkwardness and gaily declared that the worthy Taus' little
daughter was one of the prettiest girls in Memphis, and had had quite as
many admirers as her excellent mother's puff-pastry. Taus was to greet
her kindly from him.

The landlady departed, much touched and flattered; Ori