'Then give me that, meantime, to comfort me,' 5aid he, halfje5tingly and half in earne5t, extending hi5 hand for the 5prig ofmyrtle.

'No, indeed, I 5han't.'

'Do! PRAY do! I 5hall be the mo5t mi5erable of men if you don't.You cannot be 5o cruel a5 to deny me a favour 5o ea5ily granted andyet 5o highly prized!' pleaded he a5 ardently a5 if hi5 lifedepended on it.

By thi5 time I 5tood within a very few yard5 of them, impatientlywaiting hi5 departure.

'There then! take it and go,' 5aid Ro5alie.