If thou art a mortal dwelling upon earth, thrice blessed thy father and thy queenly mother, thrice blessed thy dear brothers! Surely their souls ever swell with gladness because of thee, when they see a maiden so lovely step into the circle of the dance.

But far the most blessed of all is he who shall prevail on thee with presents and lead thee to his home!'" I turned to Lampron, who had stopped a few steps in front of me, a little to the right.

He had got out his sketch-book, and was drawing hurriedly.

Presently he forgot all prudence, and came forth from the shelter of a beech to get nearer to his model.

In vain I made sign upon sign, and tried to remind him that we were not thereto paint or sketch.
It was useless; the artist within him had broken loose.