The pretty, innocent face of the young girl suddenly assumed an expression of such sadness as she raised her large eyes, in which a tear glittered, full of a grieved surprise to her mistress, that Reine extended her hand to her and said:
“Come, come, you are a foolish but a good and honest girl.”
Stephanette, smiling through her tears, kissed the hand of her mistress with affectionate gratitude, and said, as she wiped her eyes with the end of her slender fingers: “Shall I tell the Singer to come in, mademoiselle?”
“Yes, go and tell him, since you wish it; let the sacrifice of your flame-coloured ribbon do some good at least.”
Stephanette smiled with an mischievous air, went out, and returned followed by the Bohemian.
CHAPTER XIII. THE GUZIAC OF THE EMIR.
Notwithstanding the humility of his position, the Bohemian did not appear to be much intimidated in the presence of Reine.
He saluted her with a sort of easy respect as he took a sharp and rapid survey of the objects which surrounded her.
As Stephanette had remarked, the Singer’s exterior had greatly improved; his slender and well-formed figure looked wonderfully well in the scarlet doublet, the present from the baron; his collar was fastened with the flame-coloured ribbon, a present from Stephanette; he wore wide trousers of coarse white stuff; his dark blue gaiters, embroidered with red wool, reached above his knees. His black hair enframed a thin, sunburnt but intelligent face.