Who can estimate the refining and elevating influence of true and ideal beauty? No symmetrical soul can fail to be thrilled by its quality, and the admiration bestowed upon it is repaid by a reflection of its transforming potency. Everything, whether beautiful or otherwise, is ever busy in the subtle moulding of living and impressible forms around it into its own image. The lesson of Pygmalion and his fair creation symbolizes the poetic and artistic truth of a vital and universal principle.
But the outward form and costume of Rebecca were the unimportant elements of her charming presence. The purity and artlessness of soul shining through the visible personality formed the real attractiveness of the daughter of Benoni. The costume, and even the beautiful form, were simple accessories, like the external setting of a gem.
As the hour of the repast drew near, the trio wended their way through a long corridor, paved with mosaic, then, passing two portals, entered the atrium or front court of the palace. Here Marcius would receive them. The entrances to the various rooms, with their walks, alcoves, and stairways, extended around on three sides, while on the fourth, beyond a massive wall of marble, were the palace gardens, containing flower-beds, shrubberies, fountains, and statues, with here and there a spreading plane, fig, or palm tree.
The court opened to the blue sky above, except a space covered by a large velarium, which was spread as a shelter from the rays of the sun during the afternoon. The impluvium, or rain-water tank, guarded by rails of polished metal, received its contents through grotesque gargoyles of the same material, and near by a fountain poured forth a volume of spray into a huge round marble basin, surrounded with anemones and lilies. The pavement of the atrium was of white and dark red marbles in handsome design, and the walls decorated with carved panels, upon which were representations of fantastic birds, griffins, fauns, and centaurs. Along the sides a continuous divan or resting-place was supplied with soft, movable cushions, and stools in front.
Marcius appeared soon after the announcement of their arrival. After a simple introduction, he gave Rebecca a cordial greeting,--