Bertha was only too well supplied with gems,
had experienced great difficulty in selecting a bridal gift. But, after
many consultations with Madeleine, he chose a set of cameos cut in
stone. The necklace and bracelets were composed of angel heads; but his
own likeness was cut upon the brooch, and that of Madeleine on the
medallion that formed the centre of the bracelet. Who can doubt that
Bertha was enchanted with her gift?

Madame de Gramont presented each of her nieces with a handkerchief of
rich old lace, very rare and no longer purchasable.

Madeleine placed in Bertha's hands a magnificently bound volume; it
contained Mrs. Browning's poems illustrated, in water colors, by
Madeleine herself. Many of the paintings were exquisite, but those which
represented "Lady Geraldine's Courtship," far surpassed all the others.

And now came the great surprise of the evening,--the disclosure of a
secret which Gaston and Bertha had carefully guarded. Bertha, in her
clingingly affectionate way, knelt down beside Madeleine, and laid in
her lap two ancient-looking jewel-cases, her bridal gift to Madeleine.
How Madeleine started and trembled at the sight! Well she knew those
caskets, but her shaking hands could not press the springs by which they
were secured. Bertha lifted their lids and disclosed the diamonds and
emeralds which had been the bridal jewels of Lady Katrine Nugent,
Madeleine's great-great-grandmother; the jewels which Madeleine had been
forced to part with to obtain herself subsistence; the jewels whose
design she had imitated on the dress which first made her "fairy
fingers" known to Vignon; the jewels Bertha had recognized when they
were worn by Madame de Fleury; the jewels which in attempting to trace
to their owner, Maurice had suffered so terribly. These memorable jewels
were restored through Gaston's agency. He had related to M. de Fleury
their history, and Mademoiselle de Merrivale's desire to repurchase
them. The marquis had promised acquiescence in the young lady's wishes
if Madame de Fleury's consent could be obtained. Gaston and Bertha paid
the ambassador's wife a visit of persuasion. Gaston was an especial
favorite, and Madame de Fleury loved Madeleine as well as it was
possible for her to love any one. Her yielding up these jewels was a
high proof of the noble _couturiere's_ power over her frivolous heart.

What bride does not smile when she sees the sun shine into her chamber
on the nuptial morning? The