The brass band that arrived upon the scene as early as ten o’clock in the morning, was quite a superfluity. Anna sent out and ordered the men not to play until the birds should be silent. So they sat under the shade of the great oak trees, and had ale served out to them, in which they drank the health of the bridegroom and the bride, while they watched the train of carriages that were constantly coming up, bringing guests to the wedding feast. Such was the scene on the shaded, flowery lawn.
Even more festive was the scene within the house.
All the windows of the great drawing-room were thrown open, letting in all the sunshine and the cool breeze of this bright May day. The walls were hung with festoons of fragrant flowers, and the large table in the centre was loaded with the splendid wedding presents to the bride.
It would take up too much time to tell of all these presents. You will find them fully described in the “Valley Courier” of that date. They consisted of the usual sort of offerings for these occasions—“sets” of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls and other gems; “sets” of silver plate; “sets” of fine lace, et cetera.
But we must not omit to mention Drusilla’s munificent offering to the bride. It was also a “set,” a tea set of pure gold, whose exquisite workmanship was even of more value than its costly material.
The appearance of the long dining-room, with the table laid for the wedding breakfast, should have immortalized the French cook if he had not been immortalized before. Here, also, all the windows were thrown open to the light and air. It would never do, said “Monsieur le Chef,” for people to be too warm while eating and drinking. Here, however, were no natural flowers. Their powerful odors, said “Monsieur,” affected too much the delicious aromas of the viands. But the walls were decorated with artificial flowers, with paintings and gildings, and with mirrors that multiplied the splendors of the scene a thousandfold, and opened imaginary vistas into unending suites of splendid saloons on every side.
The breakfast table reached nearly the whole length of the long dining-room, and was multiplied by the mirrored walls into innumerable other tables on every hand. It was beautifully decorated and sumptuously loaded; every variety of flesh, fish, and fowl that was in season, dressed in the most delicate manner; every sort of rare and rich fruit and vegetable; wonderful pastries, creams, and ices; crystallized sweetmeats, cordials, wines, liquors, black and green teas, and coffee, such as only a Frenchman can make, were among the good things displayed to delight the palates of the guests.
On the second floor, the bed-chambers and dressing-rooms wore a gay and festive aspect. There also the windows were thrown open to the light and air, and shaded only by the beautiful green trees and flowering vines without. The beds and dressing-tables were freshly covered with snow-white drapery; and on each toilet-table were laid new ivory-handled brushes and combs, silver flagons of rare perfumery, porcelain pots of pomade; and about each room were every convenience, comfort and luxury that a guest could possibly require,—all provided by a thoughtful hospitality that was careful and considerate in its minutest details.
Early in the day these light, fragrant, and delightful chambers were filled with bevies of fair girls, who were giving the last effective touches to their own and to each other’s gay festal dresses, and whose soft talk and silvery laughter made music all around.
They had need to hurry, too; for the hour fixed for the ceremony was high noon, and they must all be ready and in their places to see it.