Part 18 (1/2)
”Thank you,” he returned with a slightly embarra.s.sed laugh. ”Well, I mean to try to be, as well as to seem.”
But others were crowding about, and in the exchange of greetings, questions, and answers, there were time and opportunity for no more.
There was a pleasant bustle, a good deal of mirth and laughter, the young folks going about from room to room to examine the tasteful arrangements for the grand affair of the morrow--then, the last one of those selected to take part in the ceremony having arrived, they went through their rehearsal; so that even the little flower girls might be perfect in their parts, knowing just how and when to enter the room, where to stand and what to do.
They were greatly interested and very anxious to do all in the best possible manner, that no one might be mortified by their failure and led to regret that they had been chosen to perform that particular part.
They succeeded admirably, and were delighted with the praise freely bestowed upon them by one and another of the onlookers, including the guests and the members of the different families present.
When all seemed perfect in their parts, which no one found very difficult, some simple refreshments were served, and presently after Captain Raymond and his family departed for Woodburn, Captain Donald Keith and Dr. d.i.c.k Percival accompanying them.
It was something of a disappointment to both these gentlemen that, very shortly after arriving there, Captain Raymond advised his daughters to retire, in order that they might feel entirely rested and refreshed before entering upon the exciting pleasures and fatigues of the coming day.
”I know it is the best plan for me, papa,” returned Grace in cheerful tones, and began her good-nights at once.
”For me too, since I want all the beauty sleep I can get in preparation for to-morrow,” laughed Lucilla, ”though of course it is by no means so necessary for the bride's attendants as for herself.”
”Ah! is that because they are so much handsomer to begin with?”
”Oh, papa! please refrain from asking such hard questions!” was the response in tones of mock entreaty; ”hard because they seem to imply a good deal of vanity in me. I was only meaning that, of course, the bride's appearance will attract the most attention.”
”Ah! was that it? Well, my child, say good-night and go; get to bed quickly, put aside thoughts of to-morrow's gaieties, and indulge in sleep so sound and refres.h.i.+ng that you will be ready to give your father his usual companions.h.i.+p in his early stroll about the grounds.”
”I'll do my best to follow all those directions, sir,” she said with a bright, pleased look. ”Good-night, gentlemen,” turning toward the guests. ”I hope you will both sleep well and find to-morrow's festivities very enjoyable.” And with that she hastened away, leaving the three gentlemen alone upon the veranda, for Violet was seeing her little ones to bed.
”What a rich man you are, Raymond!” remarked Keith, half unconsciously sighing slightly as he spoke.
”You are right,” returned the captain cheerily, ”my wife and children being by far the most valuable of my possessions. I only wish that you and your friend here,” glancing at Dr. Percival as he spoke, ”were equally wealthy. But you are younger men, and may hope to become as rich as I am by the time you are my age.”
”Hardly; so far as I am concerned, at least,” returned Keith drily; ”seeing I am already some ten or a dozen years older than you were at the time of your first marriage, Raymond.”
”Yet by no means too old to hope yet to become in the near future a happy husband and father. I am at a loss to understand why you have not found a mate before this.”
”Ah, none so blind as those that won't see!” returned Keith with a slight laugh; then changed the subject of conversation by asking a question in regard to the plans of the young couple expecting to be united on the morrow.
Captain Raymond answered the query. A moment's silence followed; then Keith, turning to d.i.c.k, said: ”I presume you and I are of about the same age, doctor?”
”Quite likely; and confirmed bachelors, both of us, it would seem,” was the nonchalant rejoinder. ”I am some years older than Cousin Vi.”
”Not too old for reformation, however,” remarked Captain Raymond pleasantly. ”And let me a.s.sure you that a wife--such as mine, for instance--is a very great blessing; doubling the happiness of life.”
”I don't doubt it, sir,” said d.i.c.k; ”but such an one is not to be picked up every day.”
”No, certainly not. I have always felt myself strangely fortunate in securing so great a treasure.”
”As you well may,” remarked Keith pleasantly; ”yet your good fortune has been largely owing to your undoubted worthiness of it, Raymond.”
”In which opinion I agree with you heartily, Cousin Donald,” responded Violet's sweet voice close at hand, taking them by surprise, for, in the earnestness of their talk they had not perceived the sound of her light approaching footsteps. ”I think there is nothing good which is beyond my husband's deserts,” she added as all three rose hastily to hand her to a seat, Donald saying:
”So you overheard me, Coz! Well, please remember that it was I who brought you two together. An act which seems to have born abundance of good fruit in the happiness of all concerned.”