ou
know."

Poor girl! He was a fine gentleman with a very great name, as Teresina
knew, and he was young still and handsome, and had winning ways, and she
loved gold and pretty speeches dearly. She looked down, still shrinking
away from him, till she stood with her back to a tree. Her fresh young
face was almost white now and her eyelids trembled from time to time,
while her lips moved though she was not conscious of what she wanted to
say.

"Ah, Teresina!" he exclaimed, with a nicely adjusted cadence of passion
in the tone. "What are you waiting for, my little angel? It is time to
love when one is young and the world is green, and your eyes are bright,
carina! When the heart beats and the blood is warm! And you are made for
love--that mouth of yours--like the red carnations--one kiss
Teresinella--that is all I ask--one kiss and no more,--here in the shade
while no one is looking--one kiss, carina mia--there is no sin in
kissing--"

And he tried to draw her to him. But either Teresina was naturally a
very good girl, or her good angel had demolished his evil adversary in
the encounter which had taken place. There is an odd sort of fierce
loyalty very often to be found at the root of the Sicilian character.
She looked up suddenly and her eyes met his. She held out the little
package still unopened.

"You have made a mistake, Signor Conte," she said, quietly enough. "I am
an honest girl, and though you are a great signore I will tell you that
if you had any honour you would not be making love to me out here in the
garden while you are paying court to the Signorina when you are in the
house, and doing your best to marry her. It is infamous enough, what you
are doing, and I am not afraid to tell you so. And take back your gold,
for I do not want it, and it is not clean! And so good-day, Signor
Conte, and many thanks. When you asked me to come here, I thought you
had some private message for the Signorina."

During Teresina's speech San Miniato had not betrayed the slightest
surprise or disappointment. He quietly lighted a cigarette and smiled
good-humouredly all the time.

"My dear Teresina," he said, when she had finished, "what in the world
do you think I wanted of you? Not only am I paying court to your
signorina, as you say, but I am already betrothed to her, since last
night. You did not know that?"

"The greater the shame!" exclaimed the girl, growing angry.

"Not at all, my dear child. On the contrary, it e