At her friend's coming she raised her little face, plain but illuminated by splendid eyes.
"Darling, permit me to introduce to you the Prince Albertinelli." The Prince possessed a certain youthful, godlike beauty, that his black beard intensified.

He bowed.
"Madame, you would make one love France, if that sentiment were not already in our hearts." The Countess and Choulette asked Miss Bell to read to them the verses she was writing.

She excused herself from reciting her uncertain cadence to the French poet, whom she liked best after Francois Villon.

Then she recited in her pretty, hissing, birdlike voice.
"That is very pretty," said Choulette, "and bears the mark of Italy softly veiled by the mists of Thule." "Yes," said the Countess Martin, "that is pretty.

But why, dear Vivian, did your two beautiful innocents wish to die ?" "Oh, darling, because they felt as happy as possible, and desired nothing more.