"Tie my shoulder-knots in your prettiest manner, Minny." "Yes, Miss; and my reward shall be a rehearsal of the list of conquests?" "I suppose so," smiled Della; "Minn, I pet you a great deal too much." "I know it, Miss; and make me love you a great deal too well." Della sighed. At this moment there was a tap at the door, and Mrs. Delancey, in full evening costume, entered the room. "Most ready, dort, darling?" "Yes, mamma, I will be down in a few minutes." "You look very sweetly in that simple dress; what prompted you to choose that to-night, treasure?" "An instinctive knowledge, I presume, mamma, that I would look very sweetly in it," replied Della, archly. Mrs. Delancey was a fine-looking woman--very fussy and very French. She smiled, and displayed her brilliant teeth at her daughter's answer, then stooped, and kissed her brow. Mrs. Delancey loved her child, with all the strength of affection she was capable of feeling. She was even first in her heart in some moments of pride and ambition, and second never, save to her love of fashion and display. "Clasp this string of pearls about your throat, it will relieve the plainness of your attire." "I'd rather not have it relieved, mamma." "What a strange whim," returned the lady, proceeding to fasten on the necklace. As the toilet was declared finished, Mrs. Delancey stepped back to observe the effect. "_Charmante, ma chere!_" she exclaimed. "Remember, love, your father and I wish you to be particularly agreeable to General Delville this evening. He is a splendid match, rich as a Jew, and of such fine family!" "He is the gentleman who was of age when papa was born, isn't he, mamma?" "Hush, child; what of that! He may be a little old, but all the better--you'll be left a charming young widow the sooner." Della lifted a bracelet from the table, and fell to examining it with the closest inspection, while her little satin-slippered foot kept up an unconscious, nervous tapping upon the carpet. Mrs. Delancey looked at her watch--"Nine o'clock, Della; the guests will begin to arrive, shortly. You need not come down till your father comes for you. Remember, _ma chere_, General Delville, particularly." So saying, the proud mother swept from the apartment. As the door closed upon her, Della stepped through the open window, and passed out upon the balcony. Minny busied herself with putting aside the jewels which had not been wanted, and other unnecessary articles of dress, which the capricious fancy of her mistress had drawn from their proper places during the process of preparation. A half hour passed before Mr. Delancey sought his daughter's apartment; when he entered, Della was seated gracefully on an ottoman, arranging a bouquet of orange flowers and mignonnette. It was a sweet picture, and the father stopped to look upon it. Della looked up, and her eye went quickly from her father's to Minny's face, then dropped again upon her flowers. "Are you ready, Della?"