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then how bad it was for any one to tell an untruth. I should not like him now, he is very different from Edgar." Haidee paused suddenly, a bright blush suffused her lovely face, making her beautiful with an unexpressed happiness.

Our little ponies were gliding rapidly along, whilst other two ponies, whose shape and movement were sharply cut in shadow, glided along beside us, on the smooth sward at the road-side, followed by a rather nondescript vehicle, and a pair of indefinite figures seated thereon. Our shadow at length caught my cousin's eye, and she cried

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These, I must suppose, are the symbols of our other selves, ever with us, or following after, rewarding our good deeds, by making us happier, and punishing our bad—by forever reminding us of them."

I smiled at this novel idea, which I had little reason to expect from Haidee's lips, and asked if it emanated from her governess.

"Miss Browne has little respect for ideas not found in her text-books-of course, always excepting her Prayer-book. If she were more playful, if she had more imagination, I should be less afraid of her."

Ah, now I understand. Miss Browne's rigid adherence to learned theories does not allow your fertile imagination much scope. You could not understand her. You do not suit. Well, now, I confess to a suspicion long ago existing, that, however gracious Miss Browne might be when in company, shut up alone with my little cousin, she was something of an Ogress." I laughed when I said this, and Haidee laughed too, with all her heart.

CHAPTER VII.

"Ring, joyous bells! ring out again."

In a course of study and progress, not rapid but unremitting, in a pleasant interchange of visits with the families of the country gentlemen neighboring near Glenelvan, the summer glided softly and silently by ; and now all other interests and aims seemed merged in a great event which was approaching-my sister Mildred's marriage.

The day had been named for the middle of September. Our uncle Hastings, upon this announcement, opened one of those mysterious looking boxes, to find, as he said, some trifle for the bride presumptive. Which trifle, however, was nothing less than a piece of pearl-colored satin for the dress, a dozen pairs of silk stockings of various patterns, India ribbons and a rich bridal vail. He presented the parcels to Mildred with some playful hint about a little ornament he intended to add on the wedding day.

Katrine was quickly immersed in the business of arranging folds of satin with frills of lace and bows of ribbon. There had been left little else to do, besides choosing and making the bridal robe.

But now an elegant lilac silk was found in the same mysterious box, for mamma, and very like in shade to the one she had worn at her own bridal, twenty-five years before.

All lessons and studies were now suspended. Miss Browne at Glenelvan, and Miss Standish at Umberhurst, set at liberty-privileged to do, to be, or to suffer-as might suit their peculiar and individual tastes.

It was no slight disappointment to Mildred, when, on receiving a letter from our eldest brother Hermann, we learned that it was no longer to be thought of, his being present

at the first marriage among my father's children, taking place at Glenelvan. He stated that it would be quite impossible for him to leave home the present year. But added that he and Lena would be prepared and most happy to receive the bride with her husband and retinue, at his house, as had already been hinted to him by Mr. Sterling.

So it was at once settled that this should be. Hermann had now fixed his residence in the city of Mobile, Alabama, and was now becoming a successful merchant, and, in this, his chosen profession, he would doubtless continue, until by the natural course of events, he should succeed to the proprietorship of Glenelvan.

Our cousin Leonora Rapelje was at home, having recently graduated at a far-famed seminary in Troy, and was to be a bridesmaid. There was neither hurry or confusion; full time was given to every department, so that the daily comfort of our household was in no way sacrificed.

But there was no obstacle whatever to prevent my mother's house being well ordered. With abundant means to provide every comfort and convenience, with taste to combine and invent, with a full supply of faithful, well qualified and warmly-attached servants, who were part and parcel of her household, and her own life entirely devoted to the happiness and honor of her husband, and the education and moral training of her children.

And she in return was loved and honored by her whole household and people. No shadow of neglect, no slighting remark, no premeditated stab, no licentious sneer at home-relations or marriage, ever found place beneath my father's roof. The usual routine of our daily life flowed sweetly on. So to the last hour Mildred's stay with us was filled with a calm, long-enduring pleasure. I am more glad of this, more grateful that this pleasant remembrance abides with me, than for those hours of brighter happiness given me at an earlier date.

Our Mildred's bridal day at length dawned. There was

no packing of trunks and boxes, for the bride was to remain at home some days, to see her friends, previous to entering upon the wedding tour.

The Sterlings came up by the afternoon boat. The guests were all arrived-and of these there were a goodly number. The picture of aunt Engel had been unveiled, and baby Gertrude smiled upon us from out her golden curls, and Hermann was also present, but only in a gilded frame. I suddenly glanced back to the shadowy recollection of another bridal morn, but that any marriage had ever taken place, I could not remember, and could never learn. To shake off these dreary thoughts, I quickly looked toward Mildred. Pen of mine could never portray her perfect loveliness. The richness of her dress enhanced her beauty: she was a pure gem in the costliest setting. Her eyes were of heaven's own blue, and deep and calm ; her bright, wavy hair, with its falling ringlets, gleamed soft beneath the folds of her bridal vail, and about her queenly neck her uncle Hastings had fastened a splendid necklace of pearls; the trifle which he hinted was to be added to the bridal toilette on this most happy day.

And mamma wore the new lilac silk, and her pearl necklace, which has been alluded to previously as having been among her bridal gifts, from the same munificent hand.

The evening was soft as summer; the harvest moon shone in her most resplendent beauty. There was not much mirth, but evidently a great deal of pleasure. Cousin Leonora—as bridesmaid, was looking very sweetly—was assisted in her graceful duties by a brother of Mr. Sterling. A whole flock of gay butterflies, in the persons of some dozen laughing girls just escaped from boarding schools, trembled and flut tered about the spacious rooms. The elders held grave converse, grouped about, or seated on divans and sofas, or gracefully reclining in the luxuriant arm-chairs. The scene was suggestive of pleasantest thoughts.

Wax candles were burning brightly in the halls and in all

the festive chambers. The scene within doors was very brilliant, and out in the gardens it was like fairy-land.

Our good minister, from the village, was present to officiate, and the marriage proceeded in the usual form; for in minds so noble, and so true, no distant thought of the perverted sense, the tortured uses to which this simple form can be applied, to take from woman her identity, her personal liberty, and her inherited property, or rightful income, could ever find a home. Just and equal in all their ways, they had no thoughts to give to minds of different mould.

After that little episode of solemn joy, the younger guests were loosed from restraint, and went flitting over the house, and about the gardens, Rose and cousin Fan being at the head of the gay troupe. Haidee was very happy; she had never seen us so gay. She mostly attached herself to me or Belle, and though seemingly well pleased with the gay young ladies who sought her friendship, it cost her an effort to take up a new interest. We had a sprightly dance at the close of the evening, in the old hall, with various little "side issues," sallies of wit and gay reparte. Then came the breaking up: kindest wishes expressed, and adieus made; and our guests went on their homeward way, startling the lone night-bird from his pensive song, poured forth amid the tremulous shadows, and echoed across the green meadows, lying low beneath the holy light of the harvest-moon.

* * *

A few days after Mildred's marriage, it was announced to our people and friends, that Haidee was betrothed to my brother Edgar. At first this was objected to by my parents, on the plea that the relationship was too near, the young people being full cousins; but it was eventually settled that Haidee had so largely inherited her mother's organism as to make the intermarriage safe-more than this—it was even desirable. My uncle was very solicitous to secure his beloved child's happiness, and was willing that Haidee should look forward to Edgar as her future husband; such a cus

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