"Have you discovered some antique ?" said he, with a smile; "they are as common as pebbles on this road." "No," replied Zicci; "it was but one of those antiques that have their date, indeed, from the beginning of the world, but which Nature eternally withers and renews." So saying, he showed Glyndon a small herb with a pale blue flower, and then placed it carefully in his bosom.
"You are an herbalist ?" "I am." "It is, I am told, a study full of interest." "To those who understand it, doubtless.

But," continued Zicci, looking up with a slight and cold smile, "why do you linger on your way to converse with me on matters in which you neither have knowledge nor desire to obtain it?
I read your heart, young Englishman: your curiosity is excited; you wish to know me, and not this humble herb.

Pass on; your desire never can be satisfied." "You have not the politeness of your countrymen," said Glyndon, somewhat discomposed.

"Suppose I were desirous to cultivate your acquaintance, why should you reject my advances ?" "I reject no man's advances," answered Zicci.

"I must know them, if they so desire; but me, in return, they can never comprehend.