resenting the chosen one with an appropriate flower, and thus is spared
the pain of a verbal declaration. A band of music then announces by a
particular and well-known strain that the choice is made, and a march is
played, to the measure of which the chosen one leads his intended to a
throne on a slightly raised dais.

Each of the gentlemen then approaches, successively
presenting to the maiden a flower,[1] which he lays on
the table in front of the dais, wishing her at the same
time happiness and joy.

[Footnote 1: See p. 126.]

The lady will perhaps kiss the flower presented when anxious to show
regard for the giver, whom, however, she has not been able to choose.
This ceremony of presenting flowers having been concluded, the future
bride and bridegroom lead the way to the banqueting-room.

On the evening following, a meeting of three hours' duration takes place
between the chosen one and the maiden, who is accompanied by the lady
superior of the marriage council. The two converse, and if after mutual
explanation anything incongruous is found, either party is at liberty to
object, and the marriage does not take place; but if the three hours
pass without objection no further question can be raised. The two are
then looked upon as betrothed, and after a certain interval the marriage
takes place.

It sometimes happens that at the meetings of the eighty-five the maiden,
distracted between contending aspirants, is unable to give the
preference to any. In that case she is put back for another year.

At the end of the year another assembly of young men is called; the
number invited is limited, however, to forty-five, and the evenings are
reduced to twelve. Should the lady again fail to select--a very
improbable occurrence--another and final assembly would be called for
the following year, the number of gentlemen being reduced to twenty-one,
and the evenings to seven, and if the lady should still remain undecided
she must be content to enjoy single blessedness during the rest of her
life. For my own part, I do not recollect more than one case where the
selection was postponed beyond the second year.

XXL.

THE DRESS OF SHAME.

SUN-COLOURED SILKS--THE ART OF PLEASING.

"Let not the ranks of the good be defiled by the presence of him
who has betrayed his trust."

I never knew an instance of the trust confided to the Marriage Councils
being in any way abused. None are selected for the office, who