rospect of making a profitable sale, and handing him a
magnificent selection of fragrant buds and bloom.

Giovanni took the bouquet and, at the same time, gently pressed the
girl's taper fingers. They were soft and velvety to his touch. A
delightful thrill shot through him at the contact. The flower-girl
evinced no displeasure. Clearly she was accustomed to such advances. The
Viscount slipped a gold coin of considerable value into her hand, again
experiencing the delightful thrill.

"This is too much, signor," said the girl, looking at the coin, "and I
have not the change. You must wait a moment until I get it."

"Never mind the change," answered Giovanni. "Keep the whole."

The girl looked astonished at such liberality, then a joyous smile
overspread her beautiful visage.

"Oh! thank you, thank you ever so much, signor," she said, effusively,
the color deepening on her tempting cheeks. Giovanni with difficulty
restrained himself from kissing them.

"What is your name, my girl?" he asked, as she moved to depart.

"Annunziata Solara, signor," she replied, surprised that such a question
should be asked her.

"Where do you live?"

"In the country, just beyond the Trastavere."

"Do you live alone?"

"No; with my father, Pasquale Solara."

"What is his occupation?"

"He is a shepherd, signor."

The girl bowed to the two young men and, with a glance at Giovanni that
set his blood tingling in his veins, passed on and was speedily lost in
the throng of promenaders.

Esperance, who had watched this scene with amused curiosity, broke into
a hearty laugh as the Viscount turned towards him with something very
like a sigh.

"Giovanni," said he, "the pretty Annunziata Solara has bewitched you!"

"Not quite so much as that, Esperance," replied the young Italian. "But
she is a glorious creature, isn't she?"

"Yes, as far as looks go; but all is not gold that glitters, and this
fair Annunziata may turn out a perfect fiend or fury upon a closer
acquaintance!"

Giovanni gave his friend a glance of reproach.

"Do not insult her with such wretched insinuations," he replied, warmly.

Esperance smiled and said:

"You are smitten with her, that's plain!"

"I am not, but I admire her as I would anything beautiful."

"Put it as you please. At any rate, you will hardly be likely to see her
again. She was a vision and has faded."

"But I do not intend to lose sight of her."

"You do not mean to say that you design