As they come from me, their beauty and fragrance will not find favour in your eyes.

But whatever may be their fate, even though you only touch them to fling them disdainfully out of the window, they will force you to think for a moment--if it be but in anger--of him who declares himself, in spite of everything, your devoted adorer, "VALLOMBREUSE." This note, breathing of the most specious gallantry, and tenacity of purpose, did produce very much the effect it predicted; for it made Isabelle exceedingly angry; and, without even once inhaling the delicious perfume of the flowers, or pausing for an instant to admire their beauty, she flung the bouquet, diamond bracelet and all, out into the antechamber.

Never surely were lovely blossoms so badly treated; and yet Isabelle was excessively fond of them; but she feared that if she even allowed them to remain a little while in her room, their donor would presume upon the slight concession.

She had scarcely resumed her seat by the fire, after disposing of the obnoxious bouquet, when a maid appeared, who had been sent to wait upon her.

She was a pretty, refined looking girl, but very pale, and with an air of deep melancholy--as if she were brooding over a secret sorrow.