The younger one was smiling, looking at the wall, and as the captain reappeared upon it she almost clapped with enthusiasm as though applauding a dangerous acrobatic feat.
Believing them to be English, the sailor spoke in that language when presenting to them the two roses that he carried in his hand.

They were merely flowers, like all others, grown in a land like other lands, but the frame of the thousand-year-old wall, the propinquity of the alcoves and drinking shops of a house built by Pansa in the time of the first Caesars, gave them the interest of roses two thousand years old, miraculously preserved.
The largest and most luxuriant he gave to the young woman, and she accepted it smilingly as her natural right.

Her companion as soon as she acknowledged the gift, appeared impatient to get away from the stranger.

"Thanks!...

Thanks!" And she pushed along the other one, who had not yet finished smiling,--the two going hurriedly away.