Biagio was overjoyed.

`Oh, master,' he cried, `how well thou hast done.'

Then with hands which trembled with excitement
the pupil arranged the picture in the best light, and
went to fetch the purchaser.

Now meanwhile Botticelli and his other pupils
had made eight caps of scarlet pasteboard such as
the citizens of Florence then wore, and these they
fastened with wax on to the heads of the eight
angels in the picture.

Presently Biagio came back panting with joyful
excitement, and brought with him the citizen, who
knew already of the joke. The poor boy looked at
his picture and then rubbed his eyes. What had
happened? Where were his angels? The picture
must be bewitched, for instead of his angels he saw
only eight citizens in scarlet caps.

He looked wildly around, and then at the face
of the man who had promised to buy the picture.
Of course he would refuse to take such a thing.

But, to his surprise, the citizen looked well pleased,
and even praised the work.