ertha's
picturesque little hat,--not one of those unmeaning abominations which
neither cover the head, nor shade the face, but a round straw hat,
slightly turned up at the sides, and ornamented only by a single, black
plume.

"Look, M. de Bois," said Madeleine, "is not my chaplet successful? Could
anything be more becoming to Bertha?"

"Yes," answered Gaston, "there is one chaplet in which she would look
still lovelier,--a wreath of orange-blossoms. Come, Bertha, are you not
ready to reward my patience and forbearance? Will you not let me
remember this day as one of our brightest, by telling me when you will
wear that orange-blossom wreath?"

Bertha laid her head upon Madeleine's shoulder at the risk of crushing
some of the wild flowers, and answered, "That depends upon Madeleine. I
told you long ago that Madeleine should name the day."

"Come then, Mademoiselle Madeleine," Gaston pleaded; "do you speak!"

Maurice's eyes fervently seconded the adjuration.

Madeleine answered, with the perverseness of her sex, "You ought to
return to Charleston, Maurice."

"I know I _ought_; but do not imagine I mean to do what I ought to do,
until you have done what you ought to do as an example; if you do
_that_, you will tell me when I may return to claim my bride."

"You shall know to-morrow," said Madeleine, "but only on condition that
neither of you gentlemen mention the subject again to-day."

Both lovers promised; but, simply because a condition had been made,
they every moment experienced the strongest temptation to disregard the
stipulation.

That night Madeleine and Bertha had a long conversation,--"a woman's
talk," such as maidens, and matrons too, delight in, all the world over.
They decided that Maurice must leave at once for Charleston, and remain
three months, only returning the day before the one appointed for his
nuptials. The double wedding was to take place in church; the bridal
party to return to Madeleine's and, after a collation, leave for
Philadelphia, and the day following for New York. The countess,
accompanied by Gaston and Bertha, would sail at once for Havre, and
Maurice, and Madeleine take up their abode in Charleston. Bertha's
plans, after she reached France, were left to be determined by
circumstances.

Madame de Gramont was the first one apprised of this arrangement, and it
met with her full approval. She rejoiced at the certainty of seeing her
beloved chateau again; and, though she spoke no