"There is one thing I would like to have," said I, as I contemplated my own appearance, and saw with how much proud, yet tremulous satisfaction, Alice stood behind, arranging the folds of my dress, and regulating, with anxious touches, the beautiful trimmings of lace, and the braids of my hair. "What is that, dear?" cried Alice eagerly. "One of the roses that you brought from Cottiswoode--one from _that_ tree--to put here at my breast," said I. "Alice, I will think all to-night, that this dress is from mamma." Alice kissed me suddenly before I had finished speaking. "Lord bless my darling!" she said in a low voice, turning her face away from me; I knew she did so that I might not see how very near crying she was. When I went to show myself to my father--he was not going--but a lady, a friend of Mr. Osborne's, was to come for me--he looked at me with some surprise. "What fairy princess gave you your gown, Hester?" he said, with a smile. I could not help hesitating and looking embarrassed, when I answered almost under my breath, "Alice had it, papa." He became grave immediately, and the color flushed to his cheek. Then he opened a cabinet which always stood in his library, both here and at Cottiswoode, and took out a box. "These are yours, Hester--it is time they were given to you," he said, almost with coldness; "you will use your own discretion in wearing them, only I beg you will not show them to me to-night. Good-night, my love, take what pleasure you can, and be ready when your friend calls for you--good-night." I carried the box away mechanically, and returned to the drawing-room to wait for Mrs. Boulder. I was surprised, but still sufficiently curious to open the box at once. It contained a number of smaller morocco jewel cases, which I examined eagerly; I was as ignorant as my father of the ancient fashion of these ornaments, but I think an uncultivated and savage taste such as mine was, is generally disappointed with the appearance of precious stones. I was extremely interested, but I did not admire them, and that I should wear them did not occur to me at the first moment. But there was one little spot of quivering living light which changed my opinion; it was a small diamond pendant attached to a very little chain, which puzzled me into a deliberation whether it was intended for the neck or the arm. I tried it on, however, and settled the question in the most satisfactory manner possible; and then there was a bracelet of pearls, and then--but Mrs. Boulder's carriage came up to the door with a great rush and din, and I hurried away my store of treasures, and suffered myself to be wrapped up, and went away to make my first entrance into the world.