THE STORY OF A PICTURE.

ing whiter than ever, as the bright sunshine fell upon
them, they stood out in bold relief from the masses
of fresh green leaves behind them. Here and there,
where a wide expanse of green sward was bordered by
the trees, fountains, with a low gushing sound, poured
their sparkling waters into basins of white marble.
It seemed as if nothing was left wanting that could add
to the beauty of the grounds surrounding the Villa di
Selvico.
 Then Leonardo had his wish fulfilled-he was rich,
perhaps the richest man in Florence. But let it not be
thought that he was known in the city only for his
wealth; the poor and the needy spoke of him amongst
themselves, not as the Signor Selvico; they called him
by another name, which showed that Leonardo's riches
were not all lavished on himself or his home-he was
known as the good Signor." With this introduction
let us see our old friend again, now in a very different
state of life.
 On the spring morning of which we have before
spoken, a tall handsome young man, evidently pausing
in an early walk through the garden, was leaning upon
the pedestal of one of the statues, deep in thought.
 Well, perhaps I am dreaming," he said at length
with half a smile, as he stood erect and looked around
him. Who would have believed long ago that I was
the heir to a place like this ? And Francesca-oh! it
must be all a dream, and yet dreams don't go on so
long."
 Why, my dear Leo, you are not half-awake yet,"
cried a merry voice at his side, and Maria bounded
from her place of concealment behind the marble
pedestal, where she had been listening to his soliloquy,
until she feared that her half-suppressed merriment
would lead to her discovery.