At breakfast, the next morning, Louise did not dare to look me in the face. Without distressing her, however, I managed to look at her more than I had ever before done; and I really wondered what I had been thinking about, during the preceding two months, not to have sooner found out her manifold charms and perfections. Her elder sister was too stout for my taste, altogether on too large a scale, and with too little of the intellectual in the expression of her features; but Louise is unquestionably a charming creature, slender and graceful, with a sweet archness in her countenance, and hands and feet that might serve for models. In short, I began to think seriously that all past disappointments would be more than compensated by the affection of such a woman. I must see first about setting my house in order, thought I. "Will you be so kind as to lend me your carriage to go as far as the river?" said I to the Creole. "With much pleasure. A mere ride, I suppose?" "No; a little more. I wish to see how things are getting on at my plantation." "You are going away?" exclaimed Madame Menou and Julie. Louise said nothing, but she raised her eyes to mine for the first time that morning. "It is necessary that I should do so; but, if you will allow me, I will pay you another visit before very long." The roses had left the cheeks of poor Louise, and I fancied I saw a tear glittering in her eyes. Several minutes elapsed without any body's speaking. At last the silence was broken by the Creole. "You seemed very happy here, I thought," said he. "Has any thing happened?" "Yes; something of great importance to me. I must really leave you immediately," was my answer. Mean time, Louise had left the room. I hurried after her, and overtook her before she reached her chamber. "Louise!" said I. She was weeping. "I leave you to-day." "So I heard." "In order to arrange my house." "My brother is doing that already," said she. "Why leave us?" "Because I would fain see with my own eyes if all is ready and fitting for the reception of my Louise. When I have done so, will you follow me home as my beloved wife?" For one second she looked in my face, her features lighted up with a beam of confiding joy, and then her gaze fell in timid confusion on the ground. "Take her, dear Howard!" said her father, who had followed us unperceived. "She is the best of daughters, and will make as good a wife." Louise sank into my arms. An hour later I was on my way homewards.