ices, her sole thought was to distract and enliven the
prisoned soul behind the darkened windows.

And so a broad smile crossed the lovely sightless features and even
the dulled orbs radiated a little as Henriette excitedly told the
details of the proposed trip, and teased:

"--And, oh, yes--I forgot--when Miss Baby's eyes are quite well, I
shall sit down like a lady--and you'll do all the work!"

They were quite in a fever of delighted ardor over the preparations
for the journey.

Elder sister, attending to everything, pronounced it perfect with gay
little pats of quaint panniered costumes, fitting of banded sailor
hats o'er white coifs, recurling of ringlets, and dainty polishing of
slippers. The graceful little figures seemed elfin and fairy-like in
the half sleeves and low corsages of tight bodices from which depended
enormously full skirts set off by cute pinafores.

Round boxes, baskets or bags on either arm and even the rainy-day
umbrella, they waited in delicious expectancy the serving man fetching
the brass-studded cowhide trunk, to the very last moment when to
Henriette's surprise the blind girl pouted and drew back!

She groped until her fingers touched a chair, then sat down--kerplump!

"I won't go!" announced Louise firmly. "Y-you'll meet somebody or
other in Paris--get married--and--and--I'll be left _all alone_!"

The little general of the expedition paced hurriedly up and down the
floor like a Napoleon at Elba. Shocked surprise at Louise's awful
insinuation struggled with panic fear. At last Henriette faced her
sister squarely. She came over and knelt beside her chair, raising a
small hand to high Heaven.

"Desert you for a Man!" said Henriette, breathlessly. "Why, the very
idea that I could ever think such a thing. Dear, here is my right
hand; take it and bear witness: I solemnly swear _never to marry till
you yourself can see and approve my husband_!"

The left hand of Louise traveled up till it met and lay flat on the
other's upraised palm. An expression of happiness overspread the blind
girl's face. She leaned over and kissed her sister. The two girls rose
and left the old home of Evreux.

CHAPTER II

THE JOURNEY TO PARIS

Locomotion in those pre-railroad days was by stage coach except for
the rich and noble who rode in their chaises. The way of the diligence
led past winding streams and bright meadows busy with haymakers; past
picturesque water mills and stone chateaux, anon al