CHAPTER XX.
AN APPALLING APPARITION.
The announcement of Olivia’s approaching marriage caused almost as much excitement as the news of her engagement.
She had insisted upon the ceremony being as quiet a one as possible, and, for a wonder, Bartley Bradstone assented.
At least a score of young ladies were desirous of acting as bridesmaids upon so famous an occasion, but Olivia desired to limit the number to two, and chose Annie and Mary, much to their delight and Aunt Amelia’s chagrin.
“My dear Olivia,” she remonstrated in her most dignified manner. “Only two bridesmaids! Why, the veriest pauper has three or four! Let me beg of you to remember your position, and what is due to it! I’ve nothing to say against Annie and Mary, but I cannot forget that there are others who have a claim upon us. For instance, there are those six dear girls of the duchess’. Now, why—I ask, why—cannot you choose them?”
But Olivia remained as firm over this point as she did upon the question of her trousseau. Aunt Amelia had looked forward to a visit to town, resulting in an extensive outfit, in which costly lace, and still more costly furs and tailor-made dresses should figure largely, and was proportionately disgusted when Olivia announced that she intended buying her things at Wainford, and evidently meant to confine her purchases to very narrow limits.
“Really, my dear Olivia,” said Aunt Amelia, “one would think your father hadn’t a penny to bless himself with! I call it ridiculous. If you have no proper pride in your own appearance you might at least show some regard for him.”
And Olivia, with an aching heart, had to meet the old lady’s reproaches with a smile.
On one thing at least she was resolved—that she would not spend one single sovereign more than was absolutely necessary of the money which she knew her father could so ill spare; and perhaps the sharpest pang she endured was felt by her on the morning when he called her into the study and gave her a handsome set of pearls.
“This is my present, dear,” he said, his eyes dwelling on her with tender love and pride. “Your mother’s jewels are yours by right, and I shall give them to you on the morning of your marriage; but this is my present. It is not”—he faltered for a moment—“it is not so rich as I should like, but——”