"You seem to understand yourself very well. Priscilla! we have no dress for her."
"It will have to be made."
"Yes. Who is there to make it?"
The seamstress was now summoned, and the orders were given for Priscilla's dress, to be made to fit Daisy. It was very amusing, the strait-cut brown gown, the plain broad vandyke of white muslin, and etceteras that Mrs. Sandford insisted on.
"She will look the part extremely well. But are you going to give her nothing but Fortitude and Prudence, Preston? is Daisy to do nothing gayer."
"Yes ma'am she is to be the queen of the Persian king here what is his name? Ahasuerus! She is Esther."
Daisy opened her lips to say no, but Preston got her into his arms, and softly put his hand upon her mouth before she could speak the word. The action was so coaxing and affectionate, that Daisy stood still, silent, with his arms round her.
"Queen Esther!" said Mrs. Sandford. "That will tax the utmost of our resources. Mrs. Randolph will lend us some jewels, I hope, or we cannot represent that old Eastern court."
"Mrs. Randolph will lend us anything and everything," said
Preston.
"Then we can make a beautiful tableau. I think Esther must be in white."