"He is the gentleman who was of age when papa was born, isn't he, mamma?"
"Hush, child; what of that! He may be a little old, but all the better—you'll be left a charming young widow the sooner."
Della lifted a bracelet from the table, and fell to examining it with the closest inspection, while her little satin-slippered foot kept up an unconscious, nervous tapping upon the carpet.
Mrs. Delancey looked at her watch—"Nine o'clock, Della; the guests will begin to arrive, shortly. You need not come down till your father comes for you. Remember, ma chere, General Delville, particularly."
So saying, the proud mother swept from the apartment.
As the door closed upon her, Della stepped through the open window, and passed out upon the balcony. Minny busied herself with putting aside the jewels which had not been wanted, and other unnecessary articles of dress, which the capricious fancy of her mistress had drawn from their proper places during the process of preparation.
A half hour passed before Mr. Delancey sought his daughter's apartment; when he entered, Della was seated gracefully on an ottoman, arranging a bouquet of orange flowers and mignonnette. It was a sweet picture, and the father stopped to look upon it.
Della looked up, and her eye went quickly from her father's to Minny's face, then dropped again upon her flowers.
"Are you ready, Della?"