But tell me," and her pretty face became serious with a true feminine anxiety, "whatever will you wear?
You've brought no ball fixings, have you ?" I finished twisting up the last coil of my hair, and turned and kissed her affectionately.

She was the most sweet-tempered and generous of women, and she would have placed any one of her elaborate costumes at my disposal had I expressed the least desire in that direction.

I answered: "No, dear; I certainly have no regular ball 'fixings,' for I never expected to dance here, or anywhere for that matter.

I did not bring the big trunks full of Parisian toilettes that you indulge in, you spoilt bride! Still I have something that may do.

In fact it will have to do." "What is it?
Have I seen it?
Do show!" and her curiosity was unappeasable.
The discreet Alphonse tapped at the door again just at this moment.
"Entrez!" I answered; and our tea, prepared with the tempting nicety peculiar to the Hotel de L----, appeared.