If any reader of my Picture Book would like to make a direct contribution to the French Red Cross, I should be very proud to receive and acknowledge it. France, bled of treasure and supplies is giving all she can.

Can you not spare something towards this work of mercy and healing among our most gallant Allies?

Edmund Dulac

Contributions may be addressed to
Edmund Dulac,
c/o The Daily Telegraph,
Fleet Street, E.C.

'Yes, mistress, yes; this is the man Jusef, like all other men. They say he is searching for corn, not for the love of woman.'

'Then let him deal with corn,' flashed Asenath, rising. 'Leave me, all of you! I would be alone.'

The damsels fled, and Asenath turned again to the window. The gates were now opened, and her father and Jusef, followed by a great retinue, rode into the courtyard. Ah! What perfect grace of form and feature! Asenath's heart almost burst for frantic beating as she looked at him. Then, in spite of herself, she drew nearer the window, and, as she gazed down, Jusef chanced to glance up. Their eyes met, and Asenath, with a pang at her heart, reeled and fell clutching at the cushions. There she lay sobbing in sudden sorrow. She had spoken bitter words against him, and now the sweet tears of repentance refreshed her anguished soul. Soon she sat up, a picture of misery, but with a glorious light in her eyes.

'Ashtar is no fool,' she murmured, clenching her hands; 'and I do not believe the tales told by the people against him. Oh! Unhappy Asenath! What is life to thee now? He comes for toll of corn, and with toll of corn he will depart, and then——'

She swung herself prone upon the cushions and wept again most bitterly.

And Jusef entered into the palace of Putiphra, and all fell down and made obeisance before him,—all except Asenath, who remained hidden in her tower. When the slave-girls had washed Jusef's feet they set food and wine before him, but on a table apart, for it was known in the land that Jusef the son of Jakub would not eat with the Egyptians, this being an abomination to him.

'My lord Putiphra,' he said, when he had refreshed himself, 'pray tell me, who is that woman I saw looking from the window of the tower? I desire not her presence here.'

Now Putiphra knew it was his daughter Asenath that Jusef had seen. He knew, also, that there was no wife nor daughter of any great man of Egypt who at sight of Jusef's beauty did not fall in evil case. Nay, further, many were the gifts of gold and silver and precious stones sent him by those who languished and were undone in heart by a single glance at him afar. Wherefore these things were a sore vexation to Jusef, who was as pure as he was beautiful. Remembering ever his father's exhortation to avoid the strange woman with a gentle and courteous denial, and to have no other communication with her, he had preserved the sweetness of his soul to God. 'I pray,' he said, seeing his host was slow to answer, 'let the woman go hence, for so thou shalt earn my thanks.'

'My lord,' replied Putiphra, 'the woman thou sawest was none but mine own daughter, a pure virgin, whom no man save myself hath seen unto this day. Indeed, she hath no heart for aught but her present state, my lord. Wert thou to speak with her, thou wouldst regard her from that moment henceforth as thy sister, for in any other respect she hateth every man.'