lm and perfumed night she
appeared even more charming than when seen in the brilliant saloon--for
it is behind the railing of these balconies that the women of Spanish
race appear to the greatest advantage.

A _reboso_ of silk was thrown over her head, falling over her shoulders
in graceful undulations. The window running quite down to the level of
the floor concealed nothing of her person; she was visible from the
crown of her head to the satin slipper that covered her pretty little
foot; and the outline of her figure formed in a graceful silhouette
against the light burning within.

Tiburcio, his forehead resting against the bars, appeared to struggle
with a painful conviction that was fast forcing itself upon him.

"Ah!" said he, "I have not forgotten, as you, Rosarita, the day when I
first saw you in the forest. The twilight was so sombre I could scarce
make out your form, which appeared like the graceful shadow of some
siren of the woods. Your voice I could hear, and there was something in
it that charmed my soul--something that I had never heard till that
moment."

"I have never forgotten the service you rendered us," said the young
girl; "but why recall those times? they are long past."

"Long past! no, not to me, Rosarita--that scene appears to me as if it
had happened yesterday. Yes," continued the young man, in a tone of
melancholy, "when the light of the camp-fire by little and little
enabled me to observe the radiant beauty of your face, I can scarce
describe the emotion which it gave me."

Had Tiburcio, instead of looking to the ground, but raised his eyes at
that moment, he might have noticed upon the countenance of Rosarita an
expression of interest, while a slight blush reddened her cheeks.
Perhaps her heart was scarce touched, but rarely does woman listen,
without pleasure, to those impassioned tones that speak the praises of
her beauty.

Tiburcio continued in a voice still softer and more marked by
emotion:--"I have not forgotten the flowers of the llianas which I
gathered for you, and that seemed to give forth a sweeter perfume when
mingled with the tresses of your hair. Ah! it was a subtle poison that
was entering into my heart, and which has resulted in filling it with an
incurable passion. Ah! fool that I have been! Is it possible,
Rosarita, that you have forgotten those sweet souvenirs upon which I
have lived from that day up to the present hour?"

There are certain moments of ind