"A teaspoonful of this would give her peace forever," whispered the tempter. And the woman shuddered, and nearly let fall the bottle. She recovered herself, dropped half a dozen drops on a lozenge, and brought it to her daughter, saying gently: "This will quiet you, my dear." Odalite took it with a smile and put it between her lips. The door opened and Wynnette and Elva came in in their nightdresses. They had "resigned" themselves "to the inevitable," especially as they saw that Le had ceased to grieve over it, and had even consented to be the groomsman, while they were to be the bridesmaids. "I am sure, if Le don't mind it, we needn't," said Wynnette. "And, oh, what beautiful dresses we have to wear!" added Elva. Now they had burst into their mother's chamber, in all the excitement inspired by the occasion. "We went into your room, Odalite, and as you were not there, we knew you must be here," said Elva, running and throwing her arms around her sister's neck. "All right this morning, Odalite?" inquired Wynnette. "Yes," quietly replied the girl, upon whom the powerful sedative was already beginning to act. "My children, go and get ready for breakfast. It is ordered half an hour earlier this morning on account of the wedding. We must be at the church by eleven o'clock," said Mrs. Force. The two little girls scuttled away to hurry on their home clothes to go down to the dining room. Mrs. Force had finished dressing herself, and now spoke to her daughter, who was still in her nightgown, reclining back in the chair. "Odalite, you need not exert yourself to come down, dear. I will send you something up here. What shall it be?" "Anything you like, mamma," languidly replied the girl. The lady left the chamber and went down to the dining room, where she found all the family, with the exception of the bride-elect, assembled. The bridegroom-expectant, who was still a member of the household, advanced politely, greeted his prospective mother-in-law and led her to her seat at the head of the table. "Where is Odalite?" inquired Mr. Force, as he took his seat at the foot. "I have left her in my apartment. She must not fatigue herself by making two toilets. I shall send her breakfast up," replied the lady. "I hope she is quite well this morning?" said Col. Anglesea. "Quite well," replied the lady. And when she had served all her circle with coffee, tea, or cocoa, she called a servant to bring a waiter, and she prepared and sent up a dainty little repast to her daughter. "The carriages will be at the door by ten o'clock, my dears, so you will please to be ready. It will take us full an hour to drive to All Faith. I hope the church will be well warmed," said the father of the family, as they all arose from the table. "We will be ready in time," replied Mrs. Force, as they passed out of the dining room. Leonidas Force looked so white and grim that little Elva paused behind the rest to speak to him.