ld almost kill you. I cannot tell
you how chagrined I was at the deplorable prospect. And it's all a
mistake,--is it not?"

"My father assured me that you had formed the most flattering attachment
for me. Is that a mistake also?" inquired Maurice, skilfully avoiding
the rudeness of a direct reply to her question.

"Oh! I never cared a straw for you except as the dearest cousin in the
world!"

"But why," asked Maurice, resuming his usual gay tone of raillery, "why,
if I am the incomparable being you pretend to think me, why are you so
particularly averse to becoming my wife? What do you say to that? I
should like to have an explanatory answer, little cousin; or else you
must take back all your compliments."

"Not one of them!" replied Bertha, merrily. "I am so charmed with you at
this moment that I feel inclined to double their number. Yet there is a
reason why I should have refused you, even if you had offered yourself
to me."

"Is it because you like somebody else better?"

"No, no," answered Bertha, hastily; "how can you suggest such an idea?
But I suppose _you do so because that is your reason_ for desiring to
refuse my hand?"

"I shall be obliged to think my suggestion correct, unless you tell me
why you are so glad to escape becoming my wife."

"It was because," said Bertha, approaching her rosy mouth to his ear,
and speaking in a low tone, "because there is another woman, who is far
more worthy of you, who would make you a better wife than I could, and
who--who does not exactly _hate_ you."

"Another woman?"

"Hush! do not speak so loudly. There is nothing in the world I desire so
much as to see that other woman happy; for there is no one I love half
so well."

"The garland is finished!" Madeleine broke in, starting up abruptly, for
she had caught the whispered words. "Come, Bertha, we must hasten back
to the chateau. I must try on your dress immediately."

"Oh, since it is finished, we have plenty of time," said Bertha. "It is
quite early in the day yet, and Maurice and I are deeply interested in
our conversation. We were never before such fast friends and devoted
cousins."

"Never," replied Maurice.

"But the dress may need some alteration," persisted Madeleine. "Pray,
pray come!"

She spoke almost imploringly, and in an excited tone, which the mere
trying on of a dress did not warrant.

"Oh, you dear despot! I suppose you must be obeyed."

Bertha snatched the ivy-garlanded dress, and bou