Victor glanced around the shop window in happy confusion. "I was quite beside myself, I recall, at the flower exhibition. Stricken by love, perhaps," he said, and after critically contemplating a pair of gloves, he examined the piece of jewelry that appeared to have caught her fancy. Victor's French was not quite up to standard, as he had no patience for it as a boy, and because the language master who had endeavored to teach him Italian and French was a rather too obliging man; so he did not comprehend the inscription. "It is very pretty indeed, Miss Violetta. Shall we go in? I am feeling quite daring."

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