At six o’clock the resident party in the Hall were gathered in the drawing-room in full evening dress, waiting for their guests.
Judy wore her wedding dress of cream-colored silk, trimmed with duchess lace, but without the veil or orange flowers, and with pearl jewelry instead. It was the prettiest, if not the only proper dress for the occasion that she possessed, her wardrobe being but a schoolgirl’s outfit.
Ran also wore his wedding suit, because—but will this be believed of the young squire of Haymore?—it was the only dress suit with which the careless young fellow had as yet thought to provide himself!
Mike, Dandy and Longman wore, also, each his “marriage garment,” which had been provided for Ran’s and Judy’s wedding, and for the like reason—that they had no others for full dress occasions.
Will Walling, being the dude of dudes in society, had a choice among a score of evening suits, so much alike that none but a connoisseur could have seen any difference between them. He wore one of these.
“Sort of ser’ous time, Mr. Walling,” said old Dandy, who found himself seated next to Mr. Will near the great open fire.
“Don’t see why it should be for you, Mr. Quin,” said Will Walling.
“No? Don’t ee, now? Well, I allus did hate a furse.”
“Fuss? Why, there will not be any.”
Ran, Judy, Mike and Longman, who were standing in the front bay window looking out upon the drive and chatting together, now came sauntering up to the fire.