One Sunday, however, Madeleine was standing before the looking-glass, only partially dressed, and with her thick dark hair hanging in curls over her shoulders.  Fanny happened to pass, and caught sight of her reflection by the side of Madeleine’s.  She stopped and noticed the contrast.  The dark hair and slightly gipsy complexion of her cousin set off her own fair skin and light hair most admirably.  It is true that Madeleine was taller, and her figure rather more stately, but the face itself had only very slight pretensions to beauty.  Fanny closely observed the effect as she helped Madeleine to arrange her hair, and when she had finished her observations she threw her arm round Madeleine’s waist, and they left the room together.

“Listen now, my dearest Madeleine,” began she, arching her eyebrows.  “I am really very much annoyed with you, for never coming down to see us in the town.  As a punishment, I shall take you with me this afternoon.  Morten can sit on the box.”

Madeleine looked into the small and delicate face, and could not help thinking how lovely it was.  The large blue eyes looked so charmingly out through their lashes; the pose of the head was so elegant; while round the mouth played so many changing expressions, which seemed to rivet the attention when she was speaking.

“What are you staring at?” asked Fanny, mischievously.

“You really are too pretty,” answered Madeleine, with sincerity.

“Well, that’s a rustic compliment,” laughed her cousin, turning colour a little, but looking still more charming.

Madeleine went down with them to the town, and stayed a few days; afterwards she paid short visits there more frequently.  Fanny took her to the few amusements the town offered, and occasionally there were small reunions either in their own house, or in those of some of their acquaintances.  Wherever they went the two seemed to set each other off by the wonderful contrast in their appearance, or by some coquettish similarity or difference in their toilets.

It was the rule in the Garmans’ house, that any one who was staying there could do exactly as they liked.  They could come or go, ride or drive, just as the fancy took them.  The house was so large, and there were so many guests, and so many business acquaintances who came either to dinner or supper, that the absence of any particular person attracted but little attention.  Madeleine, therefore, soon perceived that no one seemed to miss her very much if she was away.  Mrs. Garman was as usual more or less peevish; and Rachel kept to herself, which Fanny maintained was because she had taken up with a new father confessor.

The Consul was the only person who seemed to care for her, and when she came back from a visit in the town, he would pat her on the head and say, “Well, my dear, I am glad to see you back again.”

One day, just as she was getting into Fanny’s carriage to drive down to the town, the Consul happened to pass the door.