n my bosom," she replied. "But why do
you ask? Is my life in danger?"

"A knife," said the child with fierce, sparkling eyes, "a knife is a
faithful friend and servant; it never betrays or fails its master, if he
is careful to give it a drink now and then, for a knife is often thirsty
you know."

"You frighten me, you naughty child!" exclaimed Isabelle, much troubled
and agitated by these sinister, extravagant words, which perhaps, she
thought, might be intended as a friendly warning.

"Sharpen the edge on the marble of the chimney-piece, like this,"
continued Chiquita, "and polish the blade on the sole of your shoe."

"Why do you tell me all this?" cried Isabelle, turning very pale.

"For nothing in particular, only he who would defend himself gets his
weapons ready--that's all."

These odd, fierce phrases greatly alarmed Isabelle, yet Chiquita's
presence in her room was a wonderful relief and comfort to her. The
child apparently cherished a warm and sincere affection for her, which
was none the less genuine because of its having arisen from such a
trivial incident--for the pearl beads were more precious than diamonds
to Chiquita. She had given a voluntary promise to Isabelle never to kill
or harm her, and with her strange, wild, yet exalted notions of honour
she looked upon it as a solemn obligation and vow, by which she must
always abide--for there was a certain savage nobility in Chiquita's
character, and she could be faithful unto death. Isabelle was the only
human being, excepting Agostino, who had been kind to her. She had
smiled upon the unkempt child, and given her the coveted necklace, and
Chiquita loved her for it, while she adored her beauty. Isabelle's
sweet countenance, so angelically mild and pure, exercised a wonderful
influence over the neglected little savage, who had always been
surrounded by fierce, haggard faces, expressive of every evil passion,
and disfigured by indulgence in the lowest vices, and excesses of every
kind.

"But how does it happen that you are here, Chiquita?" asked Isabelle,
after a short silence. "Were you sent to keep guard over me?"

"No, I came alone and of my own accord," answered Chiquita, "because I
saw the light and fire. I was tired of lying all cramped up in a corner,
and keeping quiet, while those beastly men drank bottle after bottle of
wine, and gorged themselves with the good things set before them. I
am so little, you know, so young and slender, that they pa