Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/265

Rh who became apprehensive of losing her lover, looked sorrowfully at her parent, and said, "Best king, and father! does it please you that Apollonius, whom we have so lately enriched, should leave us? The goods we have given him will be purloined by wicked men." The king admitted this, and assigned him apartments in the palace, where he lived in great honour.

But the lady's affection so much increased, that it deprived her of all rest; and in the morning she hastened to the bed-side of her father. Surprised at the early visit, he enquired what had roused her at so unusual an hour. "I have been unable to sleep," answered the lady; "and I wish you to permit me to receive instructions in music from the young stranger." The king, pleased with his daughter's zeal for improvement, cheerfully assented; and commanded the youth to be called into his presence. "Apollonius," said he, "my daughter is extremely desirous of learning your science; if you will instruct her I will reward you abundantly." (63) "My lord," he answered, "I am ready to comply