Do you know ?" Flamen laughed, and answered her evasively,-- "You have done her the wrong of a fair skin when hers is brown, and a little foot while hers is as big as a trooper's; there is no greater sin, Bebee, possible in woman to woman." "Hold your peace, you shrill jade," he added, in anger to the fruiterer, flinging at her a crown piece, that the girl caught, and bit with her teeth with a chuckle.

"Do not heed her, Bebee.

She is a coarse-tongued brute, and is jealous, no doubt." "Jealous ?--of what ?" The word had no meaning to Bebee.
"That I am not a student or a soldier, as her lovers are." As her lovers were! Bebee felt her face burn again.

Was he her lover then?
The child's innocent body and soul thrilled with a hot, sweet delight and fear commingled.
Bebee was not quite satisfied until she had knelt down that night and asked the Master of all poor maidens to see if there were any wickedness in her heart, hidden there like a bee in a rose, and if there were to take it out and make her worthier of this wonderful new happiness in her life..