It
enveloped her exquisite form, without concealing the grace and
lissomeness of her movements. A broad blue ribbon round her waist,
and in her dark hair a blue flower, were all her adornments, except
a chain and cross of gold, which lay upon her bosom, the rich gift
of her brother, and often kissed with a silent prayer for his
welfare and happiness. More than once, under the influence of some
indefinable impulse, she rose and went to the mirror, comparing her
features now with a portrait of herself taken as a young girl in the
garb of a shepherdess of Provence. Her father used to like that
picture of her, and to please him she often wore her hair in the
fashion of Provence. She did so to-day. Why? The subtile thought
in many Protean shapes played before her fancy, but she would not
try to catch it--no! rather shyly avoided its examination.
She was quite restless, and sat down again in the deep recess of the
window, watching the Place d'Armes for the appearance of her brother.
She gave a sudden start at last, as a couple of officers galloped in
to the square and rode towards the great gate of the Chateau; one of
them she instantly recognized as her brother, the other, a tall
martial figure in full uniform, upon a fiery gray, she did not
recognize, but she knew in her heart it could be no other than
Colonel Philibert.
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