eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that
was at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie
displayed its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and
when the whole delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she
threw herself upon her mother's neck and actually cried with
pleasure.

"Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for
me. How shall I ever thank you?"

"By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look
your happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter."

Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her
hands, and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the
papers, crying distractedly:

"Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an
affliction! Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without
the wreath, and nowhere do I find it."

In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it
must be somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the
bill, and a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty
forget-me-nots that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the
bosom of the dress. It had evidently been forgotten; and mamma
despatched Marie at once to try and match the flowers, for Belle
would not hear of any other decoration for her beautiful blonde
hair.