usually characterises the peasant's home. Without, a small orchard,
and one narrow field, a few goats, and two or three stout asses,
seemed to comprise the farmer's possessions.

On sitting down to an abundant breakfast, she expressed to L'Isle her
wonder, how these people lived in such plenty, without flocks, or
herds, or fields.

"You are mistaken," said L'Isle. "Our host has flocks so numerous,
that it would startle you to hear their numbers told. The whole
country for miles around is pastured by them. He is a farmer, or
rather grazier, on a grand scale. Not to puzzle you longer, he is a
bee-farmer, having many hundred hives. This land of flowers yields him
two harvests a year. His income is derived from wax and honey, and his
rustic talk is not of bullocks, but of bees. After breakfast, we will
get him to show us something of the economic arrangements of his
farm."

During this meal, the two girls seemed anxious to make the most of
their guests, who were so soon to leave them. They had this morning
put on their best clothes, and all their trinkets. Their animated and
inquisitive conversation, addressed chiefly to L'Isle as spokesman and
interpreter, scarcely allowed him time to eat. Their restless,
sparkling black eyes, excited the admiration of the ladies. "Do you
think black eyes the most expressive?" said Lady Mabel to L'Isle; and,
with a natural coquetry, she turned her own blue orbs full upon
him. How else could he judge, but by a comparison?

"There is a liquid lustre in the full black eye," L'Isle answered,
looking into those of the girl who was sitting, very sociably, close