Yet always some inward monitor seemed to assure me, as plainly as though the words were spoken in my ear: "It is useless for you to consider the reason of this, or the meaning of that.

Take things as they come in due order: one circumstance explains the other, and everything is always for the best." I prepared my Indian crepe dress for the evening, the same I had worn for Madame Didier's party at Cannes; only, instead of having lilies of the valley to ornament it with, I arranged some clusters of the Marechal Niel roses I had gathered from the conservatory--lovely blossoms, with their dewy pale-gold centres forming perfect cups of delicious fragrance.

These, relieved by a few delicate sprays of the maiden-hair fern, formed a becoming finish to my simple costume.

As I arrayed myself, and looked at my own reflection in the long mirror, I smiled out of sheer gratitude.

For health, joyous and vigorous, sparkled in my eyes, glowed on my cheeks, tinted my lips, and rounded my figure.