Select one of your prettiest, _ma petite_, and Rosabella will play it for you." Mr.Fitzgerald assiduously placed the music-stool, and bent over the portfolio while Miss Royal searched for the music.

A servant lighted the candelabra and drew the curtains.

Alfred, glancing at Mr.Royal, saw he was watching the pair who were busy at the portfolio, and that the expression of his countenance was troubled.

His eyes, however, soon had pleasanter occupation; for as soon as Rosa touched the piano, Floracita began to float round the room in a succession of graceful whirls, as if the music had taken her up and was waltzing her along.
As she passed the marble Dancing Girl, she seized the wreath that was thrown over its arm, and as she went circling round, it seemed as if the tune had become a visible spirit, and that the garland was a floating accompaniment to its graceful motions.

Sometimes it was held aloft by the right hand, sometimes by the left; sometimes it was a whirling semicircle behind her; and sometimes it rested on her shoulders, mingling its white orange buds and blossoms with her shower of black curls and crimson fuchsias.