itional eclat.

"What a handsome girl!" exclaimed Esperance, involuntarily.

"A divinity!" replied the Viscount, excitedly.

Then they glanced at each other and laughed, evidently rather ashamed
of the admiration they had so enthusiastically expressed.

"Her first words, however, will scatter the illusion to the winds," said
Esperance, cynically. "She is, no doubt, as ignorant as she is pretty."

"Quite likely," rejoined Giovanni. "The outside beauty of these peasant
girls generally conceals much internal coarseness, not to say
depravity."

They were about pursuing their way, when the girl advanced, offering
them her bouquets. Her voice was so sweet, so melodious, so deliciously
modulated, that the young men paused in spite of themselves. She stood
in a most graceful attitude, her parted coral lips exhibiting teeth as
white and glittering as pearls. A subtile magnetism seemed to exhale
from her that was not without its influence upon the two youths.
Besides, her words did not betoken that ignorance alluded to by
Esperance or that depravity the Viscount had spoken of.

"Buy some bouquets for your fair sweethearts, signors," she said. "They
will gladden their hearts, for the perfume speaks of love!"

"Love!" exclaimed Giovanni, smiling at her earnestness and poetic
language. "What do you know of love?"

"Ah! signor," she answered, blushing deeply and averting her eyes, "what
girl does not know of love! Even the meanest peasant feels the arrow of
the little blind god!"

The young men were amused and interested. Though belonging to the lower
class, this poor flower-girl had certainly received some education and
was endowed with a fair share of the finer feelings. Esperance felt
attracted towards her, and Giovanni experienced a fascination not
difficult to account for. Separated from Zuleika, filled with a lover's
despair, the ardent Viscount was not averse to a little flirtation, more
or less innocent. Here was his opportunity; he would cultivate this
romantic and handsome girl's acquaintance. Where was the harm? He did
not design being unfaithful to Zuleika, and this piquant peasant would
be none the worse for brightening some of his sad hours. No doubt she
was accessible and would welcome such a diversion, especially as he
would pour gold liberally into her lap.

"I will buy some flowers of you, my girl," he said, encouragingly.

"Here is a beautiful bouquet, signor," said the girl, smiling joyously
at the p