A strange tremor crept through his nerves.

What evil spirit possessed him to approach the owner of the petticoat?
He looked up again, and recognised the sweet and rosy-cheeked Catherine--the housemaid of the Seminary.

She was perched near the top of a slim ladder leaning against the wall, standing upright, and feeding the feathery-footed pigeons.
A vision flashed through Jasmin's mind--"a life all velvet," as he expressed it,--and he approached the ladder.

He climbed up a few steps, and what did he see?
Two comely ankles and two pretty little feet.

His heart burned within him, and he breathed a loud sigh.