The child apparently cherished a warm and sincere affection for her, which was none the less genuine because of its having arisen from such a trivial incident--for the pearl beads were more precious than diamonds to Chiquita.

She had given a voluntary promise to Isabelle never to kill or harm her, and with her strange, wild, yet exalted notions of honour she looked upon it as a solemn obligation and vow, by which she must always abide--for there was a certain savage nobility in Chiquita's character, and she could be faithful unto death.

Isabelle was the only human being, excepting Agostino, who had been kind to her.

She had smiled upon the unkempt child, and given her the coveted necklace, and Chiquita loved her for it, while she adored her beauty.

Isabelle's sweet countenance, so angelically mild and pure, exercised a wonderful influence over the neglected little savage, who had always been surrounded by fierce, haggard faces, expressive of every evil passion, and disfigured by indulgence in the lowest vices, and excesses of every kind.
"But how does it happen that you are here, Chiquita ?" asked Isabelle, after a short silence.