On her bosom she wore a magnificent cluster of natural orange-blossoms; and of these, while I gazed admiringly at her, I first spoke: "You look like a bride, Zara! You have all the outward signs of one--white satin, pearls, and orange-blossoms!" She smiled.
"They are the first cluster that has come out in our conservatory," she said; "and I could not resist them.

As to the pearls, they belonged to my mother, and are my favourite ornaments; and white satin is now no longer exclusively for brides.

How soft and pretty that Indian crepe is! Your toilette is charming, and suits you to perfection.

Are you quite ready ?" "Quite," I answered.
She hesitated and sighed.

Then she raised her lovely eyes with a sort of wistful tenderness.
"Before we go down I should like you to kiss me once," she said.
I embraced her fondly, and our lips met with a lingering sisterly caress.
"You will never forget me, will you ?" she asked almost anxiously; "never cease to think of me kindly ?" "How fanciful you are to-night, Zara dear!" I said.