her, and the love her kindness won for her. Noble youths sought many a time to gain in marriage one or another of them; but none seemed great enough, or rich enough. Yet they would not let them go, but with half smiles and double words, kept the young men following in their train. [Illustration: “IN THE KING’S GARDEN THE FEAST IS READY, AND THE MINSTRELS WAIT.” LEIGHTON, BROS.] Time sped quickly in the rich city where the merchant dwelt. Day and night the hours danced on to the sound of music and feasting. Beauty’s sisters reigned like queens amid their young companions,--damsels nigh as fair as they,--but of whom they made not much account, for the splendour of the merchant’s daughters cast a cold shadow all around. On great feast days, when the house was set in order, and the sisters in their rich apparel, and gold crowns upon their heads, sat under silken canopies, with all their lovers at their feet, right glad were they when Beauty sat not with them. At such times the girl, in the glory of her lustrous loveliness, would call the children, to come forth into the fields and woods, and gather flowers with her; or perchance she might steal away to succour in their distress, poor miserable ones, who lay sick and forlorn of hope, in rude dwellings beyond the city walls. Then were the sisters left to reign alone; and no prayer did they ever make to Beauty, for her to share the joyance of such festal days. [Illustration] But that sweet maiden gave no heed at all to such unkindness. She would seek flowers of rare bloom, and therewith weave garlands and set them in her sisters’ hair, all unaware that meanwhile sharp stings of envious hatred stung them, when they marked how men’s faces lit up with gladness whenever Beauty passed by, clad only in her simple gown. And so neglect and unkindness did not touch her gentle life. And home was beyond all things dear to her, for the great love and reverence she bore her father. Dearer moreover than aught else beside, save only his gold (which was indeed no hoarded wealth), was the youngest born to him. Yet the prince-merchant took most delight withal, in his many-oared galleys and full-sailed ships, which ever and anon went out across the harbour bar, and in due course came back into port gold-laden, and heavy with precious merchandise from lands beyond the sunrise. [Illustration]