As they approached they found the road on each side encumbered by a moving multitude, all going in one direction, and growing thicker the nearer they came to the church. These were driving, riding, or walking. There were carriages of every description of gentility or of shabbiness; there were horses and mules, donkey carts and ox carts, all crowded with eager spectators, and there were many foot passengers.
“Surely you never invited all these people?” said Mr. Force, in dismay.
“I have not invited more than thirty; and these all have cards; but people do not need invitations; there is nothing on earth to prevent them from coming here and crowding the roads and the churchyard,” Mrs. Force explained.
At this moment some ill-advised person raised a cheer, and the multitude took it up and cheered the bridal procession until the welkin rang with their roaring.
“Hip! hip!! hurrah!!!”
In the midst of all this the three carriages entered the yard and drew up before the church.
The parties alighted.
The father took his daughter on his arm and led her into the building, which was well warmed.
There, in the vestibule, he relieved her of her fur cloak, while her two little sisters, who were close behind, let down her train and smoothed the folds of her dress.
The style of the little country church did not admit of much display of pageantry.