Page:The German Novelists (Volume 3).djvu/56

46 been buried in the waves. Mela, however, gazed on the festive train with much complacency; not even the fine jewels and precious stones sparkling in the bridal crown, and nine rows of large pearls round the bride’s neck, ruffled her composure. This was truly surprizing, when we consider that a new Parisian bonnet, or any other fashionable trifle, is often enough to disturb the peace of a whole family. Her kind mother’s grief was the sole drawback upon her happiness, and it indeed made her very uneasy. She would often beg by a thousand little winning caresses to bring her into better humour; and she so far succeeded, that the good lady became once more communicative.

Towards evening, when the dancing began, she exclaimed—“Oh, my poor daughter! at this very moment you might have been the queen of the day! What happiness would have been mine, so to be rewarded for years of care and anxiety. But you turned away from Fortune’s sweetest smiles, and I shall never live to see you led to the altar!”

“Put your confidence in heaven, dearest mother,” answered Mela, “as I do: if it be ordained there that I should go to the altar, yes, you will live to adorn me in my bridal dress; for when the right suitor comes, my heart will not long refuse its assent.”

“Child, child!” exclaimed the more experienced mother, “portionless young women are not much