“Then Mr. Randolph Hay is really going over at once to take possession of his estates?” inquired the visitor.
“Yes; he sails on Saturday; but not alone—he takes his wife with him. He will be married on Saturday morning and embark in the afternoon.”
“Ah, indeed! That is news. I had heard no rumor of his being engaged, or even attentive to any of our girls. Who is she?”
“My young friend here,” replied Mrs. Walling, pointing to Judy.
Mrs. Duncan jumped up and kissed the girl with effusions and congratulations.
Judy blushed and smiled and bowed, but did not venture to speak again.
“The wedding is to be quiet. We don’t want a second edition of the ‘princely nuptials’ of ‘Mr. Randolph Hay’ and Miss Lamia Leegh. They, we think, have done enough in that way ‘for the honor of the family.’ Our wedding must be very plain. There are ‘no cards.’ I will not say there will also be ‘no cake, no nothing.’ So, as you are interested, if you will drop in, ‘promiscuously,’ at the ‘Little Church Around the Corner’ about ten o’clock to-morrow morning, you will witness one of the happiest, though not one of the grandest, weddings on record.”
“I shall do myself that pleasure without a doubt,” replied Mrs. Duncan.
And then she arose and took up her muff and hand-bag to intimate that she was ready to go.
And the four ladies entered the close carriage that was waiting at the door and went on their shopping expedition.