“My dear, I have been waiting for you to come out. I have two vacant places in my carriage. I should be much pleased if you and Mr. Stuart would take them.”
“Thank you very much. You are very kind,” said Palma, accepting the offer as frankly as it was given.
Stuart bowed—there was nothing left for him to say or do. The “ladies” had made the arrangement! That was enough for the Southern gentleman.
They entered the carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Walling and were driven rapidly uptown.
The colonel’s large family crowded into a street car.
Will Walling, Longman and Dandy found seats in another car.
And so the wedding guests went their way to the Walling house.
Arrived there, the ladies and children, only nine in all, were shown into an upper room to lay off their bonnets and wraps and add bouquets and white kid gloves to their toilets.
The gentlemen, ten in all, were shown into another room for light changes.
And after half an hour’s performances they all filed down to the drawing-room, where they found their host and hostess, and the bride and groom, waiting to receive them.