ng to wear no added decoration but
the flowers, consecrated as the gift of Ernest.

"Come here, Gabriella, let me arrange that fall of lace behind," said
Edith, extending a beautiful arm, on which the pearl-drops lay like dew
on a lily. Both arms passed round my neck, and I found it encircled like
her own with pearls. Then turning me round, she clasped first one arm,
and then the other with fairy links of pearl, and then she flung a
roseate of these ocean flowers round my head, smiling all the time and
uttering exclamations of delighted admiration.

"Now don't cry, Gabriella dear. You look so cool--so fair--so like a
snowdrop glittering with dew. And don't put your arms round my neck,
beautiful as they are, quite so close. You will spoil my lace, darling.
You must just wear and keep the pearls for the love of me. Mamma
sanctions the gift, so you need have no scruples about accepting them.
Remember, now, we must have no more _diamonds_, not one, though of the
purest water and sparkling in heaven's own setting."

What could I say, in answer to such abounding kindness? In spite of her
prohibition the diamonds would mingle with the pearls; but the sunbeams
shone on them both.

What a day had this been to me! It seemed as if I had lived years in the
short space of a few hours. I had never felt so utterly miserable, not
even over my mother's new made grave. I had never felt so supremely
happy,--so buoyant with hope and joy. The flowers of Ernest, the pearls
of Edith, came to me with a message as gladdening as that which waked
the silver harp-strings of the morning stars. I did not, I dared not
misunderstand the meaning of the first. They were sent as balm to a
wounded spirit; as breathers of hope to the ear of despair; but it was
_his_ hand that administered the balm; _his_ spirit that inspired the
strain.

"How radiant you look, Gabriella!" exclaimed Edith, her sweet blue eyes
resting on me with affectionate delight. "I am so glad to see you come
out of the cloud. Now you justify our _pride_ as well as our affection."

"But I--but all of us look so earthly at your side, Edith"--

"Hush! flatterer--and yet, who would not prefer the beauty of earth, to
the cold idealism of spirit loveliness? I have never sought the
admiration of men. If I look lovely in the eyes of Ernest, it is all I
desire. Perhaps all would not believe me; but you will. I yield you the
empire of every heart but his. There, I would not willingly occup