k, but she had allowed both hand and book to sink with graceful
carelessness upon her lap. For some time back she had been observing
the thoughtful young man. She had been struck by his manly carriage and
vigorous step, and had come to the conclusion that his profusion of
curling auburn hair was the most becoming set-off to his handsome
countenance. She now welcomed the surprised youth with a smile so
winning, and with a play of eyes and features so exquisite, that
Seraphin, dazzled by the beauty of the apparition, felt constrained to
lower his eyes like a bashful girl. What probably contributed much to
this effect was the circumstance of his being at the time in a rather
vacant and cheerless state of mind, so that, coming suddenly into the
presence of this brilliant being, he experienced the power of the
contrast. She appeared to him indescribably beautiful, and he wondered
that this discovery had not forced itself upon him before.
Unfortunately, the young gentleman possessed but little of the
philosophy which will not suffer itself to be deceived by seductive
appearances, and refuses to recognize the beautiful anywhere but in its
agreement with the true and good.

Louise perceived in an instant that now was at hand the long-looked-for
fulfilment of her wishes. The certainty which she felt that the
conquest was achieved diffused a bewitching loveliness over her person.
Seraphin, on the other hand, stood leaning against the arbor, and
became conscious with fear and surprise of a turmoil in his soul that
he had never before experienced.

"I have been keeping myself quiet in this shady retreat," said she
sweetly, "not wishing to disturb your meditations. Carl's wager is a
strange one, but it is a peculiarity of my brother's occasionally to
manifest a relish for what is strange."

"You are right--strange, very strange!" replied Seraphin, evidently in
allusion to his actual state of mind. The beautiful young lady,
perceiving the allusion, became still more dazzling.

"I should regret very much that the wager were lost by a guest of ours,
and still more that you were deprived of your splendid race-horses. I
will prevail on Carl not to take advantage of his victory."

"Many thanks, miss; but I would much rather you would not do so. If I
lose the wager, honor and duty compel me to give up the stakes to the
winner. Moreover, in the event of my losing, there would be another
loss far more severe for me than the loss of my r