of a year, you will be covered
with diamonds, and be waited on by eunuchs and female slaves."

"I am a respectable girl, sir," she replied proudly, and tried to go on
in front, but the stranger was immediately at her side again. "You were
born to rule," he whispered to her. "Believe me, and I understand the
matter, that you will live to be a Sultaness, if you have any luck." The
girl did not give him any answer, but walked on. "But, at any rate,
listen to me," the tempter continued. "I will not listen to anything;
because I am poor, you think it will be easy for you to seduce me,"
Viteska exclaimed: "but I am as virtuous as I am poor, and I should
despise any position which I had to buy with shame." They had reached
the little house where her parents lived, and she ran in quickly, and
slammed the door behind her.

When she went into the town the next morning, the stranger was waiting
at the corner of the street where she lived, and bowed to her very
respectfully. "Allow me to speak a few words with you," he began. "I feel
that I ought to beg your pardon for my behavior yesterday." "Please let
me go on my way quietly," the girl replied. "What will the neighbors
think of me?" "I did not know you," he went on, without paying any
attention to her angry looks, "but your extraordinary beauty attracted
me. Now that I know that you are as virtuous as you are charming, I wish
very much to become better acquainted with you. Believe me, I have the
most honorable intentions."

Unfortunately, the bold stranger had taken the girl's fancy, and she
could not find it in her heart to refuse him. "If you are really in
earnest," she stammered in charming confusion, "do not follow me about
in the public streets, but come to my parents' house like a man of honor,
and state your intentions there." "I will certainly do so, and
immediately, if you like," the stranger replied, eagerly. "No, no,"
Viteska said; "but come this evening if you like."

The stranger bowed and left her, and really called on her parents in the
evening. He introduced himself as Ireneus Krisapolis, a merchant from
Smyrna, spoke of his brilliant circumstances, and finally declared that
he loved Viteska passionately. "That is all very nice and right," the
cautious father replied, "but what will it all lead to? Under no
circumstances can I allow you to visit my daughter. Such a passion as
yours often dies out as quickly as it arises, and a respectable girl is
easily robbe