He will be there with a party of gentlemen . You can easily manage it , men are so free and easy . Mind what he is like , and come home in time to tell me all about it . '' Away went the major , and the cousins sat on the balcony enjoying the lovely night , admiring the picturesque scene , and indulging in the flights of fancy all girls love , for Helen , in spite of her three-and-twenty years , was as romantic as Amy at eighteen . It was past eleven when the major came , and the only greeting he received was the breathless question , -- `` Did you find him ? '' `` I found something much better than any baron , a courier . I 've wanted one ever since we started ; for two young ladies and their baggage are more than one man can do his duty by , Karl Hoffman had such excellent testimonials from persons I know , that I did not hesitate to engage him , and he comes to-morrow ; so henceforth I 've nothing to do but devote myself to you . '' `` How very provoking ! Did you bring the gloves back ? '' asked Amy , still absorbed in the baron . The major tossed them to her , and indulged in a hearty laugh at her girlish regrets ; then bade them good-night , and went away to give orders for an early start next morning . Tired of talking , the girls lay down in the two little white beds always found in German hotels , and Amy was soon continuing in sleep the romance she had begun awake . She dreamed that the baron proved to be the owner of the fine eyes ; that he wooed and won her , and they were floating down the river to the chime of wedding-bells . At this rapturous climax she woke to find the air full of music , and to see Helen standing tall and white in the moonlight that streamed in at the open window . `` Hush , hide behind the curtains and listen ; it 's a serenade , '' whispered Helen , as Amy stole to her side . Shrouded in the drapery , they leaned and listened till the song ended , then Amy peeped ; a dark group stood below ; all were bareheaded , and now seemed whispering together . Presently a single voice rose , singing an exquisite little French canzonet , the refrain of which was a passionate repetition of the word '' Amie . '' She thought she recognized the voice , and the sound of her own name uttered in such ardent tones made her heart beat and her color rise , for it seemed to signify that the serenade was for them . As the last melodious murmur ceased , there came a stifled laugh from below , and something fell into the balcony . Neither dared stir till the sound of departing feet reassured them ; then creeping forward Amy drew in a lovely bouquet of myrtle , roses , and great German forget-me-nots , tied with a white ribbon and addressed in a dashing hand to La belle Helène .
`` Upon my life , the romance has begun in earnest , '' laughed XXXXX , as she examined the flowers .
Amie Amy German Helen Helène Hoffman forget-me-nots night wedding-bells years