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Just inside the Varona premises he paused an instant to admire the outlook The quinta commanded an excellent view of the Yumuri, on the one hand, and of the town and harbor on the other; no one ever cliaze over into that hidden valley without feeling a pleasurable surprise at finding it still there We are accustomed to think of perfect beauty as unsubstantial, evanescent; but the Yued, and in that lay its suprerounds, O'Reilly lect, still re nook upon the place; and there he sat down to wait for Rosa The holloas effectually screened froe, and tamarind trees; over the rocky walls ran a profusion of flowering plants and vines; in the center of the open space was an old well, its masonry curb all but crumbled away

When Rosa at last appeared, O'Reilly felt called upon to tell her, somewhat dizzily, that she was beyond doubt the sweetest flower on all the Quinta de Esteban, and since this somewhat hackneyed remark was the boldest speech he had everhiled pleasure and surprise

"Oh, but I assure you I'm in no sweet tery"

"Why?"

"It's that stepain, eh? Well, she's the easiest woman in all Matanzas to quarrel with--perhaps the only one who doesn't see soood in me I'm afraid to talk to her for fear she'd convinceher fine, regular teeth--O'Reilly thought he had never seen teeth so even and white "Yes, she is a difficult person If she dreamed that I see you as often as I do--Well--" Rosa lifted her eloquent hands and eyes heavenward "I suppose that's why I enjoy doing it--I so dearly love to spite her"

"I see!" O'Reilly puckered his brows and nodded "But why, in that case, haven't you seen ood lady's life totally unbearable"

"Silly! She knows nothing about it" With a flirtatious sigh Rosa added: "That's what robs the affair of its chief pleasure Since it does not bother her in the least, I think I will not allow you to come any more"