d
adorned the front with white-weed and dandelions, and finally pinned on
a handkerchief to serve as a veil. She held it up on the end of the
lieutenant's cane, and was endeavouring to obtain a bid for Miss Flint's
bridal bonnet.

Fanny listened a moment with an indignant countenance, then advanced
with a bound, as if just running from the woods. Kitty caught her frock
as she passed, and exclaimed, "Why, Fanny, are you here? Where's
Gertrude?"

"Oh, she's in the pine woods!" replied Fanny, "and I'm going back; she
only sent me to get her hat, the sun's so warm where we are."

"Ah, yes!" said Belle, "her Paris hat. Please give it to her, with our
compliments."

"No, that isn't hers," said Fanny; "_that_ is Miss Emily's. _This_ is
hers;" and she laid her hand upon the straw head-dress which the
gentlemen had but a moment before been assuring Belle was vastly
becoming, and, without ceremony, snatched it from her head.

Belle's eyes flashed angrily. "What do you mean?" said she; "you saucy
little creature! Give me that hat!" and she stretched out her hand to
take it.

"I shan't do any such thing!" said Fanny; "it's Gertrude's hat. She
looked for it this afternoon, but concluded it was either lost or
stolen, and so borrowed Miss Emily's cape-bonnet; but she'll be very
glad to find it, and I'll carry it to her. I rather think," said she,
looking over her shoulder, as she ran off, "I rather think Miss Emily
would be willing you should wear her bonnet home, if you'll be careful,
and not bend it."

A few moments of anger to Belle, laughter from Kitty and Mr. Bruce, and
concealed amusement on Lieutenant Osborne's part, and Gertrude came
hastily from the woods, with the hat in her hand, Fanny following her;
and, taking advantage of Belle's position, with her back towards her,
resumed her pantomimic threats and insinuations. "Miss Clinton," said
Gertrude, as she replaced the hat in her lap, "I am afraid Fanny has
been very rude in my name. I did not send her for either hat or bonnet,
and shall be pleased to have you wear this as often as you like."

"I don't want it," said Belle, scornfully; "I'd no idea it belonged to
you."

"Certainly not; I am aware of it," said Gertrude. "But I trust that will
not prevent you making use of it for to-day, at least." Without urging
the matter further, she proposed that they should hasten on to the top
of the hill, which they could not otherwise reach before sunset; and set
the exampl