and wrists; a knot of delicate pink satin is the only bit of
color, and it lends a sort of tender grace to the thin face, where a
transient flush comes and goes. Her betrothal ring is of exquisite
pearls. There are congratulations, there is a supper that is
perfection. Gertrude is serene, but softened in some strange way, and
yet curiously dignified.

Madame Lepelletier is surprised. She considers any marriage a
short-sighted step for such a man, and she can only think of Gertrude
as a fretful, despondent woman, who will end by being a dead weight
upon her husband. Whatever gave him the fancy? for Gertrude was too
indolent to set about winning any man.

This is Mrs. Floyd Grandon's first appearance in society, and the
guests eye her with a something too well-bred for curiosity. She looks
very petite in her trailing dress of dead silk that imitates crape, but
is much softer. So quiet, so like a wraith, and yet with a fascinating
loveliness in her eyes, in her tender, blossom-like face, in her fresh
young voice. She makes no blunders, she is not awkward, she is not
loud. Cecil is her foil,--Cecil, in lace over infantile blue, with a
knot of streamers on one shoulder in narrow blue satin ribbon and a
blue sash. Floyd is host, of course, so Cecil would be left exclusively
with her pretty mamma, if it was not her own choice. Madame watches
them. How did this girl charm that exclusive and almost obstinate
child? She is indulgent, yet once or twice she checks Cecil, and the
little girl obeys; it is not altogether indulgence.

Violet is extremely interested. There are few very young people;
several of the gentlemen converse with her, and though she is rather
fearful at first, she soon feels at home and likes them better, she
imagines, than the women, with one exception, and that is Mrs. Latimer.
The two have a long talk about Quebec, its queer streets and quaint old
churches, and Mr. Latimer takes her in to dinner, which seems a
dreadful ordeal to her, but he is very kindly and entertaining.

Madame Lepelletier resolves to be first in the field. She asks Mr.
Grandon to appoint a day convenient to himself for bringing Mrs.
Grandon to lunch. She will have Gertrude and the professor, Laura and
her husband, and a few friends. Floyd consults Violet, who glances up
with shy delight: madame sees it with a secret joy. She will charm this
young creature, even if her arts have failed with the husband. She will
manage to obtain a hold