The Romance of a Water-Lily. 91

 

with a glance as near to scorn as his gentle beauty
could assume.

“Ay, I know them well eneaenit ene the
bully. “And wert thou not such a pretty -saint
Michael as thou art, thou wouldst not, perchance,
be in the service of Farmer Duplessis!”

_ The glance at Salome was unmistakable, and a
general laugh followed that brought a faint flush to
the marble whiteness of the girl’s cheek.

“When Michael d’Orsiguet comes for his wage to
the farm, I fear me he will learn that he is no longer
in the service of Farmer Duplessis,” said she, in a low |
voice, but with her grey eyes flashing fiercely as she
turned them on her fair adorer.

“ Well done, Salome ;” and “ Come, thou hast shown
a bit of spirit at last,’ came from all sides in varied
tones of rough raillery; and only one voice cried
sharply, “ Let the girl alone, is Heaven's sake! she
-hath done naught against you.”

It was the voice.of a buxom: woman of middle age,
who now approached the fountain with her vessel.