"You know, aunt, that it would be the height of impoliteness, and I could not expect the girls to take lessons; to be sure, Lucy does, as a matter of choice." This was sufficient, and Madeline's all-powerful arguments prevailed. Poor M'lle Fouladoux was often sorely tried, and Fanfan was her only comfort. Occupied with her young friends, Madeline knew but little of the shadows gathering over her friends at the cottage. It was all sunshine at Woodcliff; for thus far, Maddy's life had been all a bright summer day; but it would have been quickly dimmed, if the young heiress had known the sorrows that were threatening her humble friends. Mr. Hamilton had formerly lived in the South, and having freed the servants who lived with him, he had brought his house-domestics to his Northern home. They were strongly attached to their master's family, and Madeline, especially, was their idol. Nanny thought nothing could surpass her young mistress in beauty, or grace, or smartness, and many a cup of flattery was administered by this faithful, but foolish servant. "Girls, I think that we shall have some rare sport this fall; Jim, the coachman, is quite smitten with our Nanny; they shall have a wedding, and I'll be mistress of the ceremonies. You ought to see the darkies dance;" and Madeline mimicked to the life what she had often seen in the kitchen. "Will they be married here?" inquired Lavinia. "Yes, indeed; they shall be married in our dining-room, and I'll dress Nanny's head myself." Madeline watched her opportunity, and questioned Nanny about the affair. "Lor' bless you, young missus, what put this ere in your head? Jim is jest a perticelar friend." "Yes, I know, Nanny; you need not try to deceive me," answered the child. "Well, Miss Maddy, what do you all think of Jim?" "He's a clever fellow, Nanny, and we are all willing." "Well, then, Miss, I mout as well tell; we are gwan to be married in about a month." "You shall have a nice wedding, Nanny; I'll give you your wedding suit; you shall be married in the dining-room; get your bridesmaids and groomsmen, and you shall have a grand time, Nanny." Maddy was a busy little bee during the next month; the evening at length arrived, and the guests assembled in the dining-room waiting for the bride and groom. Maddy had been superintending the bride's dress; but having completed that, with her cousins, joined the company in the parlor. The minister stood waiting at the head of the room. At length the bridesmaids and groomsmen appeared, then Nanny and the groom. She was dressed in white, with low neck and short sleeves, and her head encircled by a wreath of large red roses. The ceremony proceeded. When about half through, Jim, supposing it ended, turned to kiss his bride. "Not yet," said the minister. "Oh, well! so far, so good. Go on, Massa."