demanded the flowers, no matter what the price might be. Imagine her
feelings when the Frenchwoman, with a shrug, announced that it was
impossible to give mademoiselle a single spray. All were engaged to
trim a bridesmaid's dress, and must be sent away at once.

It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no
persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking
part of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days,
and there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since
Belle only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her
any, as her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth
deranging one's self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful face, she
said, affably:

"Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss
Berton's. She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have
some left. Here is her address."

Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope
faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually
ardent wish to look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be
there, and Somebody considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers
in the world. Mamma knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the
dress came had a more tender meaning than gratified vanity or
daughterly love.

Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very
poor but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with
crutches by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals.
She rose slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her,