THE STORY OF A PICTURE.

with the picture, the same grief which he had felt in
parting with Maria herself. But it should be done;
he was reduced to utter poverty, and selling the pic-
ture was his only chance of being able to live. He
left it for disposal at the house of his best friend,
Signor Vieri, and we have already seen the result.
 It is needless to say that there is a picture in the
gallery of the Villa di Selvico, which Maria would not
part with for any price; but she never speaks of it to
Pietro, because she fears that it might bring back to
him recollections of a time of sadness and trial.

 It is a lovely morning early in autumn, and there
is a vast crowd of people around the portal of one of
the great churches of the city. They are waiting
eagerly to see the bridal procession of the most beau-
tiful lady in Florence-the Signora Selvico; and they
whisper amongst themselves, as they watch the long
line of carriages approaching, that whoever Signor
Casaletto is, there cannot be a happier man in Italy. As
the bride passes into the church, there is great excite-
ment amongst the crowd outside, and "Viva la bella
signora I" is shouted far and near. She is richly attired
as becomes her station, but, as she passes by radiant
with joy, those nearest her notice that the only orna-
ment she wears is a small gold cross, and that amongst
her dark hair there is one large white wild flower.
 So those, who from their childhood loved one
 another, are united at last, and Maria, discarding the
 many wealthy suitors for her hand, has chosen one
 who possesses a high and talented mind, and a true
 heart.
 A few months have passed--a time of peaceful
 happiness-and the Winter has gone by. The trees
 are cladagain in their new leaves, the flowers are