Then she began to laugh to herself over her lover's dress, and meditated
long upon what her companions would say to it. Suddenly her brow
contracted painfully, a frightful thought had stolen into her mind, she
shuddered from head to foot. "Suppose he were to think someone else
prettier than me? Men are so foolish! Certainly, it is too hot, and I
shall not sleep to-night."

Then she sat up in her bed, and continued her monologue--which we will
spare the reader--till the morning. Scarcely had the first rays of light
filtered through the interlacing branches of jasmine and wavered into the
room, when Nisida dressed herself hurriedly, and went as usual to present
her forehead to her father's kiss. The old man at once observed the
depression and weariness left by a sleepless night upon his daughter's
face, and parting with an eager and anxious hand the beautiful black hair
that fell over her cheeks, he asked her, "What is the matter, my child?
Thou hast not slept well?"

"I have not slept at all," answered Nisida, smiling, to reassure her
father; "I am perfectly well, but I have something to confess to you."

"Speak quickly, child; I am dying with impatience."

"Perhaps I have done wrong; but I want you to promise beforehand not to
scold me."

"You know very well that I spoil you," said the old man, with a caress;
"I shall not begin to be stern to-day."

"A young man who does not belong to this island, and whose name I do not
know, spoke to me yesterday evening when I was taking the air at my