red the girl, "I do not know!"

"Then let me try the experiment!" said Giovanni, rising from his chair
and sinking on his knees in front of her. "Annunziata, I love you!"

The girl stroked his hair and then passed her taper fingers through his
flowing locks. She was silent and seemed to be thinking. Her bosom
heaved just a little more than usual, and the glow on her cheeks became
a trifle more intense. Giovanni, yet kneeling, seized her hand, holding
it in a crushing clasp.

"Do you hear me?" he cried, impatiently. "Do you understand me? I love
you!"

"You love me, Tonio?" replied the girl, slowly. "Well, it is only
natural! Every young man must love some young girl some time or other,
and I think--I think--I love you a little!"

"Think!" said Giovanni, amazed. "Do you not know it?"

"Perhaps!" answered Annunziata, still fondling his hair.

Giovanni threw his arms about her waist, an ample, healthful waist, free
from the restraints of corsets and the cramping devices of fashion. As
he did so the sound of footsteps was heard without, and he had scarcely
time to leap to his feet when Esperance entered the room.

Massetti was confused and his friend noticed the fact. He also remarked
that Annunziata was slightly flushed and seemed to have experienced some
agreeable agitation. Esperance instantly leaped to a conclusion.
Giovanni's flirtation with the fair flower-girl had gone a trifle too
far, had assumed a serious aspect. He would interfere, he would
remonstrate with him. It might not yet be too late after all.
Annunziata was a pure and innocent creature, unused to the ways of the
world and incapable of suspecting the wickedness of men. She was on the
point of falling into a deadly snare, on the point of being wrecked upon
the most dangerous shoal life presented. Her very purity and innocence
would make her an easy victim. Giovanni was not wicked; he was merely
young, the prey of the irresistible passion of youth. Annunziata's
surpassing loveliness had fired his blood, had driven him to the verge
of a reckless action, a crime against this beautiful girl that money
could not repair. This crime should not be committed, if he could help
it, and he would risk the Viscount's friendship to save him from
himself. Giovanni could not marry the humble peasant girl; he should not
mar her future.

When Esperance came into the chamber, his presence recalled Annunziata
to herself and also dampened Massetti's ardor. The girl ar