II
FORGET-ME-NOTS
"Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it
had not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment," cried
pretty Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth
birthday.
"It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot
my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the
steamers kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very
anxious. I hope you will like it."
"Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you
know what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it,"
said Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully
unfolded tissue papers and muslin wrappers.
A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at
least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands,
eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that
was at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie
displayed its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and
when the whole delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she
threw herself upon her mother's neck and actually cried with
pleasure.
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