the fragrance of many flowers was wafted towards her on a light zephyr
which now tempered the heat of the sun. She hastened her steps, and
very soon stood before a curiously carved gate made of bronze. As she
approached, the gate opened, and admitted her, but immediately closed
again behind her, thus proving the correctness of what the fairy had
said. In all directions before her were rose-bushes in bloom, but she
observed that the whole appeared like a huge floral patch-work quilt,
because all of one kind had been planted together, so that great
masses of each color was to be seen on every side. Just before her the
roses were all of snowy whiteness. She moved along a glittering path,
and admired the flowers, ever and anon stooping over one more
exquisite than its neighbors, and pressing her face close against its
petals, inhaling its sweet fragrance. When she thus stooped over the
largest and choicest which she had yet seen, a tiny sprite appeared
amidst the petals, and, stretching out his arms invitingly, addressed
her in a voice which reminded her of a telephone.

"Maiden fair, choose this blossom. Pluck this bloom, and wear it in
thy bosom forever. In return thou shalt be the purest virgin in all
the world, for these roses are the emblems of Chastity!"

But, for reply, Agnes shook her head gaily, and merely said: "All that
you promise is mine already," and then passed on.

The next were gorgeous yellow roses. They were rich in color and regal
in form and stateliness, as on long stems each full-blown rose stood
boldly forth above the bush of leaves below. Again a sprite popped out
his head, and oped his lips:

"Stop here, fair girl. Pluck one of these, and thereby gain Wealth and
all that wealth implies. These are the symbols of gold!"

"I want no more of wealth," said Agnes, and again she refused the
tempting offer. The next were roses of a size as great as those just
left behind. There was just as much of fragrant beauty, too, or even
more, perhaps, in these most glorious roses, just blushing pink.

"Choose one of us, dear girl, and Beauty will adorn thy cheek forever
more!" the little sprite invited, but once more Agnes would not
acquiesce, and so went on.

What next appeared was somewhat puzzling. The bushes were filled with
buds, but at first she could not find a single flower in full bloom.
At last, however, she did espy just one, a rose of crimson color and
luscious fragrance. With a strange yearning in