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."
"Yes ma'am — it will add to the fainting effect."
"And we must make her brilliant with jewels; and dress her
attendants in colours, so as to set her off; but Esther must
be a spot of brilliancy. Ahasuerus rich and heavy. This will
be your finest tableau, if it is done well."
"Alfred will not be bad," said Preston.
"In another line. Your part will be easy, Daisy — you must
have a pair of strong-armed handmaidens. What do you want Nora
for, Preston?"
"Could she be one of them, Mrs. Sandford?"
"Yes, — if she can be impressed with the seriousness of the
occasion; but the maids of the queen ought to be wholly in
distress for their mistress, you know. She could be one of the
princes in the tower, very nicely."
"Yes, capitally," said Preston.
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