theatre.

Rosamond laughed heartily when Mr. Browning told her of this sudden
change in Ben, and then with a sigh as she thought how many times his
soft, good-natured heart would probably be wrung, she went back to the
preparations for her bridal, which were on a magnificent scale. They
were going to Europe--they would spend the winter in Paris, and as Mr.
Browning had several influential acquaintances there, they would of
course see some society, and he resolved that his bride should be
inferior to none in point of dress, as she was to none in point of
beauty. Everything which love could devise or money procure was
purchased for her, and the elegance of her outfit was for a long time
the only theme of village gossip.

Among the members of the household none seemed more interested in the
preparations than the girl Maria, who has before been incidentally
mentioned. Her dull eyes lighted up with each new article of dress,
and she suddenly displayed so much taste in everything pertaining to a
lady's toilet, that Rosamond was delighted and kept her constantly
with her, devising this new thing and that, all of which were
invariably tried on and submitted to the inspection of Mr. Browning,
who was sure to approve whatever his Rosamond wore. And thus gayly
sped the halcyon hours, bringing at last the fading leaf and the
wailing October winds; but to Rosamond, basking in the sunlight of
love, there came no warning note to tell her of the dark November days
which were hurrying swiftly on.