-bouche--kind, loving Belle-bouche--every now and then, to say
that something was _so_ pretty, and she was so good! Whereat
Belle-bouche would smile, and play with their curls, and they would
run and play again.

There was this observable fact about the young lady who has appeared
so frequently in our little narrative, illustrating its dull pages
with her languishing and joyful smiles, showering upon it the tender
grace of her fair countenance and innocent eyes--there was this to be
observed, we say, that Belle-bouche loved and was beloved by children.
She always had them round her when she went where they were, smiling
and looking up to her with innocent faces--from the little infantile
prattlers just from the nursery, to those who, passing into their
bright teens, began to study how they might best fulfil their duty in
society--enslave the gallants. All loved Belle-bouche, and on this
occasion she had scarcely a moment's rest.

Her own companions loved her too, devotedly, and if any one had asked
the crowd assembled, what was the brightest picture, the fairest
ornament of the whole festival, they would have with one voice
declared--the little hostess. Philippa, with her queenly brow and
ready laughter, did not receive one-half the devoted attention which
was lavished on her companion; and indeed Belle-bouche was the toast
of the whole assembly.

The finest cavaliers gathered around her and paid her their
addresses--all smiled on her, and paid homage to her. Her joy was
full.

But see the finest gentleman of all approach--the no longer
melancholy, the joyful and superb knight of the ribbon-decorated
horse!

Jacques approached with the air of a captive prince--submissive, yet
proud. He smiled.

"Beautiful queen of May," he said, trailing his plumed hat upon the
floor, "behold your slave. Never did shepherd in the vales of Arcady
pay truer homage to his Daphne's charms than I do to those of our
hostess!"

This was considered a pretty speech, and Belle-bouche was about to
reply with a smile, when little Martha Wayles, who was present in a
pink-gauze dress and lace, cried:

"Oh, my goodness! just look there!"

"What is it?" asked the company.

"There, through the window," said little Martha, blushing at the
attention she excited.

"What?"

"That horse with ribbons!"

The company gazed through the window, and began to laugh. There
indeed was the horse of Jacques, splendid in all the colors of the
rainbo