s for all these articles--indeed,
had greatly aided the young lady in the selection of what to take. More
than this--Signor Barbone (_proh pudor!_) had suggested that she should
fortify herself with such sums of money as she might be able to get
together without exciting suspicion.

Strange as you may think, Belle was possessed of so little delicacy,
that she actually entered into the spirit of the enterprise--regarding
the affair as a capital joke, enabling her to hold out against papa
should he prove obstinate, as he might for a few days (it could only be
for a few days), and inclined to be severe.

What with all her jewels, including some recent expensive purchases,
made for the first time in her life without payment on the spot (this
also at the suggestion of the Signor), and with sums quietly got
together for several weeks, including some considerable amounts coaxed
from her father on various pretences, and a pretty large sum borrowed
over night from mamma--I say, with all this, the 'happy pair' were
pretty well fortified for their first campaign.

The trying moment arrived.

Mrs. Caruthers, of course, knew nothing of Belle's tale to her mother,
that she was to pass the night at her house. She simply expected Belle
to grace her party.

Quite early in the day the young lady ordered a handsome ball dress
placed in a box, and directed it to be taken to her dressmaker, to
receive some trifling alterations before evening. She would call in good
season there, so she told her mother, and order it sent to Mrs.
Caruthers's.

Then, waiting for Mrs. Meeker, to take her morning drive, she went to
her room and hurried on a travelling dress.

She was going down stairs, when Harriet's nurse opened the door of her
young mistress's apartment, and asked her to step a moment into the
room.

Belle turned with all the composure she could muster; she curbed her
impatience, and looked amiable.

'Oh, are you going out, Belle?'

'Yes, dear; you know I am to be early at Mrs. Caruthers's. Mamma can't
go with me--so I am to stay all night.'

'Why, you have on your travelling dress!'

'It looks odd, doesn't it I--I have sent my ball dress to Laroche, to be
altered a little; and I have to call there now, and I want her to see me
in this. Do you know, I don't think she has fitted me well at all?'

'It seems to me quite perfect.'

'Hatty, dear, did you want me?'

This she said still standing, as if in haste to go.

'Oh, no.