Part 27 (1/2)
”Certainly not,” laughed d.i.c.k. ”I should rather by far marry the right woman in a black calico than the wrong one in the handsomest of white satins; even with Brussels or point lace on it in abundance.”
”Well, then, I may feel entirely easy,” Maud said, echoing his laugh, ”for I shall certainly be better and more appropriately attired than in a black dress, or calico of any colour.”
”Of course you will,” said Grace, ”I think that dress of yours is lovely and extremely becoming. No one need be ashamed of such a wedding dress as that.”
”And I am determined that she shall have a lovely wedding,” said Mrs.
Sue Dinsmore; ”as much like what I have been told Sister Elsie's was as possible. The house shall be trimmed with abundance of flowers, and the bride and groom shall stand in the very same spot that their predecessors did; and I dare say the refreshments will be pretty nearly a reproduction of what were served that evening; as nearly as I can manage it, at all events.”
”It really won't matter if there are some added luxuries, my dear,” her husband remarked in a jesting tone, and with a twinkle of fun in his eye.
”No, I presume not; it will be better to err on that side than on the other,” she returned demurely. ”I mean, however, to make up to poor Maud for the lack of a new wedding dress; at least so far as I can.”
”As I do,” said Mrs. Travilla, smiling kindly upon the expectant bride.
”And it is only the pressure of d.i.c.k's haste--the lack of time for it--that keeps her brothers from providing her with as handsome a wedding outfit as could be desired,” remarked Chester, looking slightly annoyed and hurt.
”Yes, Chester, we all know that,” a chorus of voices exclaimed, his Uncle Dinsmore adding: ”And as we are all relatives or connections, it really matters very little. d.i.c.k may be thankful--and I don't in the least doubt that he is--to get Maud, without considering how she is attired, or of what her wardrobe consists.”
”I say amen to that, uncle,” smiled d.i.c.k, ”and shall only enjoy speedily supplying anything lacking in her wardrobe. I'll be glad, indeed, to have the right.”
”Very good in you, d.i.c.k; but it isn't the bridegroom's place to supply the trousseau,” said Chester, only half mollified. ”And there is no occasion, seeing her brothers are able to do it, and willing, to say nothing of her own means.”
”Oh, Ches, don't be vexed,” said Maud. ”It will all be right; I have a very good wardrobe, and don't mean to let d.i.c.k buy anything for me this long while.”
At which d.i.c.k laughed meaningly, as much as to say: ”In regard to that I shall do as I please or think best.”
Chester was somewhat out of sorts; he did not like to have his sister hurried into marriage without a trousseau, and he had noticed something that displeased him still more in Captain Keith's manner toward Lucilla Raymond. It was hard, very hard, he thought, that her father would not allow him to tell her the story of his love. He would have been still more indignant had he known that Keith was allowed that privilege.
As for Keith, he was looking out for an opportunity to avail himself of the father's permission; not very hopefully, but still not in entire despair; thinking that clever courting might perhaps win her in the end.
And he felt that she was worth much effort and long waiting for.
The afternoon pa.s.sed quickly and the party broke up early, partly because of the necessary preparations for to-morrow's wedding. The Oaks family, having the most of that to attend to, were the first to leave, and the others soon followed.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ever since gaining her father's permission to tell Lucilla the story of his love, Captain Keith had been watching for a favourable opportunity to do so, but thus far without avail.
”Now,” he thought, as they drove on the homeward way from Roselands to Woodburn, ”I must try to get a few moments alone with her this evening.”
He did not succeed, however; there were still several guests besides himself, and Lucilla seemed to be always in request for conversation, or taking part in some game. And directly after the evening service she slipped away to her own apartments and was seen no more that night.
In the morning it was equally impossible to catch her alone for even a moment, so busy and excited were all with regard to what was to be the great event of the day.
The ladies began their toilets soon after breakfast and were not seen again until about to enter the carriages which were to carry them to The Oaks; this time Keith had not even the pleasure of being in the same vehicle with Lucilla.
Then, arrived at their destination, the young girls vanished from his sight, going into the dressing room appointed for their use in robing themselves for the ceremony.
Lucilla and Grace were to be bridesmaids,--Laura Howard, also,--and Sydney maid of honour.