tely loved, youth for his want of interest in
her; and as she could not possess himself, at least she would wed
herself for ever to his imagination and to his repentance. Her dead
image should cling to him, and he should never be free from it. He
should never cease to reproach himself for not having understood, not
examined, not valued her feelings toward him.

"This singular insanity accompanied her wherever she went. She kept it
concealed under all sorts of forms; and although people thought her very
odd, no one was observant enough or clever enough to discover the real
inward reason.

"In the meantime, friends, relations, acquaintances had exhausted
themselves in contrivances for pleasure parties. Scarcely a day passed
but something new and unexpected was set on foot. There was hardly a
pretty spot in the country round which had not been decked out and
prepared for the reception of some merry party. And now our young
visitor, before departing, wished to do his part as well, and invited
the young couple, with a small family circle, to an expedition on the
water. They went on board a large beautiful vessel dressed out in all
its colors--one of the yachts which had a small saloon and a cabin or
two besides, and are intended to carry with them upon the water the
comfort and conveniences of land.

"They set out upon the broad river with music playing. The party had
collected in the cabin, below deck, during the heat of the day, and were
amusing themselves with games. Their young host, who could never remain
without doing something, had taken charge of the helm to relieve the old
master of the vessel, and the latter had lain down and was fast asleep.
It was a moment when the steerer required all his circumspectness, as
the vessel was nearing a spot where two islands narrowed the channel of
the river, while shallow banks of shingle stretching off, first on one
side and then on the other, made the navigation difficult and dangerous.
Prudent and sharp-sighted as he was, he thought for a moment that it
would be better to wake the master; but he felt confident in himself,
and he thought he would venture and make straight for the narrows. At
this moment his fair enemy appeared upon deck with a wreath of flowers
in her hair. 'Take this to remember me by,' she cried out. She took it
off and threw it at the steerer. 'Don't disturb me,' he answered
quickly, as he caught the wreath; 'I require all my powers and all my
attention no