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THE CASTLE OF HAPPINESS.
EPILOGUE It will be readily believed that our sweet Isabelle had not forgotten, in her exceeding happiness as Mme.

la Baronne de Sigognac, her former companions of Herode's troupe.

As she could not invite them to her wedding because they would have been so much out of place there--she had, in commemoration of that auspicious occasion, sent handsome and appropriate gifts to them all; offered with a grace so charming that it redoubled their value.

So long as the company remained in Paris, she went often to see them play; applauding her old friends heartily, and judiciously as well, knowing just where the applause should be given.
The young baronne did not attempt to conceal the fact that she had formerly been an actress herself--not parading it, but referring to it quietly, if necessary, as a matter of course; an excellent method to disarm ill-natured tongues, which would surely have wagged vigorously had any mystery been made about it.