What with all her jewels, including some recent expensive purchases, made for the first time in her life without payment on the spot (this also at the suggestion of the Signor), and with sums quietly got together for several weeks, including some considerable amounts coaxed from her father on various pretences, and a pretty large sum borrowed over night from mamma--I say, with all this, the 'happy pair' were pretty well fortified for their first campaign. The trying moment arrived. Mrs. Caruthers, of course, knew nothing of Belle's tale to her mother, that she was to pass the night at her house. She simply expected Belle to grace her party. Quite early in the day the young lady ordered a handsome ball dress placed in a box, and directed it to be taken to her dressmaker, to receive some trifling alterations before evening. She would call in good season there, so she told her mother, and order it sent to Mrs. Caruthers's. Then, waiting for Mrs. Meeker, to take her morning drive, she went to her room and hurried on a travelling dress. She was going down stairs, when Harriet's nurse opened the door of her young mistress's apartment, and asked her to step a moment into the room. Belle turned with all the composure she could muster; she curbed her impatience, and looked amiable. 'Oh, are you going out, Belle?' 'Yes, dear; you know I am to be early at Mrs. Caruthers's. Mamma can't go with me--so I am to stay all night.' 'Why, you have on your travelling dress!' 'It looks odd, doesn't it I--I have sent my ball dress to Laroche, to be altered a little; and I have to call there now, and I want her to see me in this. Do you know, I don't think she has fitted me well at all?' 'It seems to me quite perfect.' 'Hatty, dear, did you want me?' This she said still standing, as if in haste to go. 'Oh, no. I thought you were going into the parlor, and I was about to ask you to sit with me a little while. I have something to say to you about Gus. I want you to talk to papa. You know papa will listen to _you_. Tell him--never mind, dear, to-morrow will do as well--I hope you will have a pleasant evening.' 'Thank you, dear. Good-by.' She turned and opened the door. By a sort of instinctive tenderness not denied to any human creature, Belle paused and looked back, and, hesitating a moment, returned; going to where her sister was reclining, she kissed her affectionately, without speaking one word. Harriet's eyes suffused; she was quite unused to such a demonstration. 'My darling sister,' she whispered. Belle was already out of the room. She bounded down the staircase, passed hastily through the hall, and was soon walking rapidly along the street. One hour from that time she was on her way to New Jersey. A clergyman had been provided in that State to perform the marriage ceremony.