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 Helen , as she examined the flowers . `` You are serenaded by some unknown nightingale , and I have flowers tossed up to me in the charming old style . Of course it is the baron , Amy . '' `` I hope so ; but whoever it is , they are regular troubadours , and I 'm delighted . I know the gloves will bring us fun of some kind . Do you take one and I 'll take the other , and see who will find the baron first . Is n't it odd that they knew our names ? '' `` Amy , the writing on this card is very like that in the big book . I may be bewitched by this mid-summer moonlight , but it really is very like it . Come and see . '' The two charming heads bent over the card , looking all the more charming for the dishevelled curls and braids that hung about them as the girls laughed and whispered together in the softly brilliant light that filled the room . `` You are right ; it is the same . The men who stared so at dinner are gay students perhaps , and ready for any prank . Do n't tell uncle , but let us see what will come of it . I begin to enjoy myself heartily now -- do n't you ? '' said Amy , laying her glove carefully away .
`` I enjoyed myself before , but I think ' La belle Helène ' gives an added relish to life , XXXXX , '' laughed Nell , putting her flowers in water ; and then both went back to their pillows , to dream delightfully till morning .
Amie Amy Helen Helène canzonet first forget-me-nots mid-summer right troubadours