She is again in tears.
She reads Paul et Virginie. She is secretly transported. When she
reads how the exemplary young woman laid down her life rather than
appear en deshabille to her lover, she weeps again. Tasteful and
virtuous Bernardine de St. Pierre!--the daughters of France admire
you!
All this time her doll is headless in the cabinet. The mud pie is
broken on the road.
VI.
THE WIFE.
She is tired of loving and she marries.
Her mother thinks it, on the whole, the best thing. As the day
approaches, she is found frequently in tears. Her mother will not
permit the affianced one to see her, and he makes several attempts
to commit suicide.
But something happens. Perhaps it is winter, and the water is
cold. Perhaps there are not enough people present to witness his
heroism.
In this way her future husband is spared to her. The ways of
Providence are indeed mysterious. At this time her mother will
talk with her. She will offer philosophy. She will tell her she
was married herself.
But what is this new and ravishing light that breaks upon her? The
toilet and wedding clothes! She is in a new sphere.
She makes out her list in her own charming writing.
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