proceeded
on his way to the church, where presently arrived the fair Natalie and
her friends. How difficult it was now to look happy with that pallid face
and extinguished eye!

"How pale you are! Has any thing happened? You are surely ill," were the
exclamations that met him on all sides. He tried to carry it off as well
as he could, but felt that the movements he would have wished to appear
alert were only convulsive, and that the smiles with which he attempted
to relax his features were but distorted grimaces. However, the church
was not the place for further inquiries; and while Natalie gently pressed
his hand in token of sympathy, they advanced to the altar, and the
ceremony was performed; after which they stepped into the carriages
waiting at the door, and drove to the apartments of Madame de Bellefonds,
where an elegant _dejeuner_ was prepared.

"What ails you, my dear husband?" inquired Natalie, as soon as they
were alone.

"Nothing, love," he replied; "nothing, I assure you, but a restless night
and a little overwork, in order that I might have to-day free to enjoy my
happiness."

"Are you quite sure? Is there nothing else?"

"Nothing, indeed; and pray don't take notice of it; it only makes
me worse."

Natalie was not deceived, but she saw that what he said was true; notice
made him worse; so she contented herself with observing him quietly, and
saying nothing; but, as he _felt_ she was observing him, she might almost
better have spoken; words are often less embarrassing things than too
curious eyes.

When they reached Madame de Bellefond's he had the same sort of
questioning and scrutiny to undergo, till he grew quite impatient under
it, and betrayed a degree of temper altogether unusual with him. Then
every body looked astonished; some whispered their remarks, and others
expressed them by their wondering eyes, till his brow knit, and his
pallid cheeks became flushed with anger. Neither could he divert
attention by eating; his parched mouth would not allow him to swallow any
thing but liquids, of which, however, he indulged in copious libations;
and it was an exceeding relief to him when the carriage, which was to
convey them to St. Denis, being announced, furnished an excuse for
hastily leaving the table. Looking at his watch, he declared it was late;
and Natalie, who saw how eager he was to be gone, threw her shawl over
her shoulders, and bidding her friends _good morning_, they hurried away.

It