urtseys of parrot-land, he saw the door of
a little cafe adjoining the bird dealer's shop open, and a young negress
appeared, wearing on her head a red silk handkerchief. She was sweeping
into the street the corks and sand of the establishment.

Boitelle's attention was soon divided between the bird and the woman, and
he really could not tell which of these two beings he contemplated with
the greater astonishment and delight.

The negress, having swept the rubbish into the street, raised her eyes,
and, in her turn, was dazzled by the soldier's uniform. There she stood
facing him with her broom in her hands as if she were bringing him a
rifle, while the macaw continued bowing. But at the end of a few seconds
the soldier began to feel embarrassed at this attention, and he walked
away quietly so as not to look as if he were beating a retreat.

But he came back. Almost every day he passed before the Cafe des
Colonies, and often he could distinguish through the window the figure of
the little black-skinned maid serving "bocks" or glasses of brandy to the
sailors of the port. Frequently, too, she would come out to the door on
seeing him; soon, without even having exchanged a word, they smiled at
one another like acquaintances; and Boitelle felt his heart touched when
he suddenly saw, glittering between the dark lips of the girl, a shining
row of white teeth. At length, one day he ventured to enter, and was
quite surprised to find that she could speak French like every one else.
The bottle of lemonade, of which she was good enough to accept a
glassful, remained in the soldier's recollection memorably delicious, and
it became a custom with him to come and absorb in this little tavern on
the quay all the agreeable drinks which he could afford.

For him it was a treat, a happiness, on which his thoughts dwelt
constantly, to watch the black hand of the little maid pouring something
into his glass while her teeth laughed more than her eyes. At the end of
two months they became fast friends, and Boitelle, after his first
astonishment at discovering that this negress had as good principles as
honest French girls, that she exhibited a regard for economy, industry,
religion and good conduct, loved her more on that account, and was so
charmed with her that he wanted to marry her.

He told her his intentions, which made her dance with joy. She had also a
little money, left her by, a female oyster dealer, who had picked her up
when sh