te turn paler than heretofore.
She bent her beautiful head upon her bosom, whilst her suppliant attitude
and her extreme youth made D'Elsac for awhile forget her selfish conduct,
and to feel with Margoton there was cause to triumph in being so nearly
connected to that fair young creature. All the villagers stood round;
the Rosiere's crown, being then taken from the high altar, was presented
to Monsieur le Prieur by a priest.

The crown was formed of the loveliest roses that could be procured in
Salency; the flowers were wove together by a blue ribbon, the two ends of
which hung down gracefully, being bound together by a ring of silver.
This custom was instituted by Louis XIII. who, whilst staying at Varennes
in the neighbourhood of Salency, sent his captain of the guard to the
village to present the Rosiere with some blue ribbons, and a silver ring
to wear at her coronation.

Kneeling did Lisette wait to be crowned, whilst Monsieur le Prieur
standing over her held the crown in his hand above her head, first
blessing it, and then commencing a discourse on wisdom and virtue, which
lasted perhaps ten or fifteen minutes, during which the object of the
fete was never allowed an instant to be forgotten. He ceased, and was
just preparing to place the crown upon the head of Lisette; the first
note of the organ began to be heard, commencing the solemn Te Deum, when
a piercing shriek was heard through the chapel, the music ceased, the
roses dropt from the hand of the priest, and all looked earnestly for the
cause of the interruption.

The shriek had come from the lips of Caliste, and, it was evident, that
now she could no longer restrain emotions which had distracted her heart
for days and days. She approached her sister, her eyes frightfully
extended, her whole countenance glowing with excitement, and, laying her
hand on the crown, she exclaimed, "It is Victorine's! it is Victorine's!
Victorine is Rosiere! Victorine alone deserves to wear this crown." She
would have said more, her gestures and her features betraying the utmost
excitement, when suddenly her countenance changed, her eyes became fixed,
and, again uttering a piercing shriek, she fell backwards into the
extended arms of her uncle.

What a scene of confusion ensued, the ceremony still unfinished, whilst
the parents of Caliste rushed forwards to the unhappy girl, forgetting in
their alarm all thought of the Rosiere. The next instant Caliste was
borne from the