His clear, harmonious, and flexible voice, gave emphasis by its rich sympathetic tones to the artistic elements of his story.
The man who thus evoked such rapture from his audience was not arrayed in gorgeous costume.

He was a little dark-eyed man of the working class, clothed in a quiet suit of black.
At the close of the recitation, the assembly, ravished with his performance, threw him a wreath of flowers and laurels--more modest, though not less precious than the golden branch which they had previously conferred upon him.

Jasmin thanked them most heartily for their welcome.

"My Muse," he said, "with its glorious branch of gold, little dreamt of gleaning anything more from Toulouse; but Toulouse has again invited me to this day's festival, and I feel more happy than a king, because my poem is enthroned in the midst of the Capitol.

Your hands have applauded me throughout, and you have concluded by throwing this crown of flowers at my feet." It was then resolved to invite Jasmin to a banquet.