UNBOWED.
Maurice did not suspect how Bertha was employed at that moment, and how much his heart would have had cause to rejoice if she proved successful in her undertaking. She was so happy herself in her betrothed that she was possessed by a strong desire to make some effort by which a like felicity might be secured to Madeleine. It had been one of the day-dreams of Bertha's girlhood that she and Madeleine should receive their wedding rings in the same hour. Gaston was entreating his fiancée to name a period, even though it might be some months hence (only a few days before, we think, he declared himself content with knowing that he might hope for this crowning joy at the most distant date), when he might call her his.
Bertha replied, tantalizingly, "The time depends upon Madeleine, not upon me. She must name the day."
"May she, indeed?" asked M. de Bois, joyfully, for he was convinced that he could influence Madeleine's decision.
"Yes, she will name it in naming the day for her own wedding. I have always intended that we should be married together."
M. de Bois's countenance fell.
"But Mademoiselle Madeleine is not even engaged."
"Is she not? Are you sure?"
"Quite sure," returned Gaston.
"But she loves some one,—does she not?" questioned Bertha, artfully.