Flora, who was crouched on a low seat by the side of Mrs.Delano, gazed with a reverent, half-afraid feeling on the thoughtful, majestic looking Minerva Medica.

When the graceful vision of Venus Anadyomene was revealed, she pressed her friend's hand, and the pressure was returned.

But when the light was held over a beautiful Cupid, the face looked out from the gloom with such an earnest, childlike expression, that she forgot the presence of strangers, and impulsively exclaimed, "O Mamita, how lovely!" A gentleman some little distance in front of them turned toward them suddenly, at the sound of her voice; and a movement of the torch-bearer threw the light full upon him for an instant.

Flora hid her face in the lap of Mrs.Delano, who attributed the quick action to her shame at having spoken so audibly.

But placing her hand caressingly on her shoulder, she felt that she was trembling violently.