At last, as if compelled, he abruptly turned his head--and looked straight into her face.
The man had been, apparently, so absorbed in his work, when first the girl caught sight of him, that she had scarcely been startled.

When she had ceased her song, and he, still, had not looked around; drawn by her interest in the picture, she had softly approached until she was standing quite close.

Her lips were slightly parted, her face was flushed, and her eyes were shining with delight and excited pleasure, as she stood leaning forward, her basket on her arm.

So interested was she in the painting, that she seemed to have quite forgotten the painter, and was not in the least embarrassed when he so suddenly looked directly into her face.
"It is beautiful," she said, as though in answer to his question.

And no one--hearing her, and watching her face as she spoke--could have doubted her sincerity.