Now she found herself alone in a great marble court filled with officers and nobles awaiting audience.
"That is the Pearl-Maiden," said one of them, whereon they all crowded around her, criticising her aloud in their idle curiosity.
"Too short," said one.

"Too thin," said another.

"Too small in the foot for her ankle," said a third.

"Fools," broke in a fourth, a young man with a fine figure and dark rings round his eyes, "what is the use of trying to cheapen this piece of goods thus in the eyes of the experienced?
I say that this Pearl-Maiden is as perfect as those pearls about her own neck; on a small scale, perhaps, but quite perfect, and you will admit that I ought to know." "Lucius says that she is perfect," remarked one of them in a tone of acquiescence, as though that verdict settled the matter.
"Yes," went on the critical Lucius, "now, to take one thing only, a point so often overlooked.

Observe how fresh and firm her flesh is.