"No, mother; it's very pretty, but I don't want any thing," she said, timidly.
The mother frowned.
"Go to Mrs. Prior this instant," she said; "tell her to dress you in the India muslin frock that I gave out to be done up. Loop the sleeves with this coral. Mind and let Mr. Thrasher see it on your neck and arms. Oh, Mrs. Prior, I'm glad you've come! Please have this child properly dressed. There are the ornaments; go, Rose, I have no time to spare; be a good girl, and look pretty to please mother."
"I'll—I'll try," sobbed the child, "only don't make me wear them."
"Hush, or you'll make me angry, my dear. Mrs. Prior, if you would hurry with her, and help me a little, I really am so nervous."
"No wonder," answered Mrs. Prior, gravely, "the whole thing is so sudden."
"Not with me," was the cold answer. "The day was settled the last time Mr. Thrasher visited us; but I did not think it necessary to make it a subject of conversation with strangers."
"But we might have been better prepared," said Mrs. Prior.
"Not at all necessary, as we go away in an hour after the ceremony is performed."
"Go away, Mrs. Mason?"