d. Sorrow has had its season; but joy hath come in the morning.
Smile, my darling Gabriella, in token of forgiveness and peace."

I tried to smile, but the tears would gather into my eyes.

"Foolish girl!" he cried. A loud laugh rung under the silken arches.
Madge stood in the open door, her great black eyes brimming with mirth.

"When you have finished your parting ceremonies," she exclaimed, "I
think we had better start. One would think you were going to Kamschatka
or Terra del Fuego, instead of Broadway. Oh dear! what a ridiculous
thing it is to see people in love with each other, after they are
married! Come, Gabriella; you can carry his miniature with you."

As the carriage rolled from the gate, I was so agitated at the thought
of the approaching interview I could not speak. Madge rattled away, in
her usual light manner; but I did not attempt to answer her. I leaned
back in the carriage, revolving the best way of accomplishing my design.
After leaving Madge, instead of going to the lady's, at whose house the
society met, I ordered the coachman to drive to one of the fashionable
stores and leave me.

"Return in an hour," said I, as I left the carriage. "You will find me
at Mrs. Brahan's. Drive the horses out to the Battery for exercise, as
you usually do."

As I gave these orders, my heart beat so fast I could hardly articulate
with distinctness. Yet there was nothing in them to excite suspicion.
The horses were high-fed and little used, gay and spirited, and when we
shopped or made morning calls, the coachman was in the habit of driving
them about, to subdue their fiery speed.

I should make too conspicuous an appearance in the park, in my elegant
cloak, trimmed with costly ermine and bonnet shaded with snowy plumes. I
would be recognized at once, for the bride of the jealous Ernest was an
object of interest and curiosity. To obviate this difficulty, I
purchased a large gray shawl, of soft, yielding material, that
completely covered my cloak; a thick, green veil, through which my
features could not be discerned, and walked with rapid steps through the
hurrying crowd that thronged the side-walks towards the ---- Park.

It was too early an hour for the usual gathering of children and nurses.
Indeed, at this cold, wintry season, the warm nursery was a more
comfortable and enticing place.

The park presented a dreary, desolate aspect. No fountain tossed up its
silvery waters, falling in rainbows back to earth.