II . FORGET-ME-NOTS `` Oh , mamma , I am so relieved that the box has come at last ! If it had not , I do believe I should have died of disappointment , '' cried pretty Belle , five years later , on the morning before her eighteenth birthday . `` It would have been a serious disappointment , darling ; for I had sot my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night , and when the steamers kept coming in without my trunk from Paris , I was very anxious . I hope you will like it . '' `` Dear mamma , I know I shall like it ; your taste is so good and you know what suits me so well . Make haste , Marie ; I 'm dying to see it , '' said Belle , dancing about the great trunk , as the maid carefully unfolded tissue papers and muslin wrappers . A young girl 's first ball-dress is a grand affair , -- in her eyes , at least ; and Belle soon stopped dancing , to stand with clasped hands , eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was at last daintily lifted out upon the bed . Then , as Marie displayed its loveliness , little cries of delight were heard , and when the whole delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon her mother 's neck and actually cried with pleasure . `` Mamma , it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me . How shall I ever thank you ? '' `` By putting it right on to see if it fits ; and when you wear it look your happiest , that I may be proud of my pretty daughter . '' Mamma got no further , for Marie uttered a French shriek , wrung her hands , and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the papers , crying distractedly : `` Great Heavens , madame ! the wreath has been forgotten ! What an affliction ! Mademoiselle 's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the wreath , and nowhere do I find it . '' In vain they searched ; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must be somewhere ; no wreath appeared . It was duly set down in the bill , and a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty forget-me-nots that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the bosom of the dress . It had evidently been forgotten ; and mamma despatched Marie at once to try and match the flowers , for Belle would not hear of any other decoration for her beautiful blonde hair . The dress fitted to a charm , and was pronounced by all beholders the loveliest thing ever seen .
Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make it quite perfect , and when Marie returned , after a long search , with no forget-me-nots , XXXXX was in despair .
Belle French II Mademoiselle Marie ball-dress before forget-me-nots sot toilette