Could I ever forget how solemnly he had said this?
After all, Mr. Hamilton was right, and I think Jill
was right too.
WEDDING-CHIMES
When we had finished the flowers and brought in Aunt
Philippa to see the effect, I left the others and
went up to my room. I had been busy since the
early morning, and felt I had fairly earned a little
rest.
The room that was still called mine had a side-window
looking over the Park. Down below carriages were
passing and repassing; a detachment of hussars trotted
past; people were pouring out from the Albert Hall,—some
afternoon concert was just over; the children were
playing as usual on the grass; the soft evening shadows
were creeping up between the trees; the sky was blue
and cloudless. May was wearing her choicest smiles
on the eve of Sara’s wedding-day.
Martha, the schoolroom maid, had brought me a cup
of tea; the rest of the family were crowded in Uncle
Brian’s study; the dining-room was already in
the hands of Gunter’s assistants; the long drawing-room
and inner drawing-room were sweet with roses and baskets
of costly hot-house flowers; a bank of rhododendrons
was under the hall window; the house was full of sunshine,
flowers, and the ripple of laughter. I could hear
the laughter through the closed door. Sara’s
musical tinkle rang out whenever the door opened.
I had fallen into a sort of waking dream, when something
white and golden passed between me and the sunlight;
a light kiss was dropped on my drowsy eyelids, and
there was Lesbia smiling at me.
She looked so cool and fair in her white gown, with
a tiny bouquet of delicious tea-roses in her hand,
her golden hair shining under her little lace bonnet.
I thought she looked more than ever like Charlie’s
white lily, only now there was a touch of colour on
her face.
‘Oh, Ursie dear, I am so pleased to see you!’
she said gently, laying the flowers on my lap.
’Clayton told me that every one else was in Mr.
Garston’s study, so I begged to run up here.
We only came up from Rutherford this morning, and
we have been so busy ever since. I was afraid
you were asleep, for I knocked at the door without
getting any answer; but no, your eyes were wide open;
so you were only dreaming.’
’I believe I was very tired, they have kept
me running about all day. Take this low chair
by the window, dear, and tell me all about yourself.
Do you know it is six months since we met? There
must be so much to say on both sides. But, first,
how is Mrs. Fullerton? and is it Rutherford that has
given you those pretty roses, Lesbia?’ But the
roses I meant were certainly not on my lap.
She answered literally and seriously, in her usual
way: ’Yes, they are from Rutherford:
I cut them myself, in spite of Patrick’s grumbling.
Mother is very well, Ursula; I am sure the country
agrees with her. We have been there since March,
and these two months have been the happiest to me
since dear Charlie died.’
