great misfortune of her life.





II

FORGET-ME-NOTS




"Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it
had not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment," cried
pretty Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth
birthday.

"It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot
my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the
steamers kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very
anxious. I hope you will like it."

"Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you
know what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it,"
said Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully
unfolded tissue papers and muslin wrappers.

A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at
least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands,