Chapter Nine
The undraped presentations took place next day. Tibullus and Paulus, and his father the elder Paulus, were there, though not the elder Paulus’s wife Apula, to Tibullus’s relief. There was also a musician, a strange young man with a flute. At least, Tibullus was pretty sure it was a male, but he seemed hairless on the face, and there was something effeminate about the way he walked in. He sat on a chair, with his flute ready.
“We will compare and contrast,” Old Paulus said judicially. “We will compare and contrast your two young ladies and my son’s Ascenda.” He nodded and repeated, as if it was some deep judgement, “We will compare and contrast.”
Ascenda came in wearing a flowing transparent green robe, through which could be seen crimson undergarments, with her hair in a co
