The bride’s chamber was the scene of the most interesting passages. There sat the bride, surrounded by her bride’s-maids, and lovingly attended by Drusilla.
Anna’s dress was a rich white honiton lace robe over a white silk skirt, made with a low bodice and short sleeves, both edged with narrow lace. On her neck and arms she wore a necklace and bracelets of diamonds; on her hair the wreath of orange blossoms; over her head and shoulders the deep bridal veil of lace to match her robe; on her delicate hands kid gloves as white as snow and soft as down. Her six bride’s-maids were all dressed in white tulle, with wreaths of white moss-rose buds on their hair, and veils of white tulle.
On this auspicious day Drusilla, for the first time, entirely laid aside her mourning. She looked beautiful and blooming, in a dress of rose-colored moire-antique, made with a low bodice and short sleeves, trimmed with point lace. On her neck and arms she wore a necklace and bracelets of pearls; on her young matronly brow a wreath of half-open blush roses; on her bosom a bouquet of the same flowers.
For this day also her little Leonard was dressed in gala robes, and sent out upon the lawn in the arms of his nurse where he remained for the present, gazing with eyes wide open with astonishment and delight on the wonderful pageantry around him.
The marriage hour struck at length.
The last loitering guests heard it, and hurried down-stairs to the drawing-room which was already crowded.
The bride and her maidens heard it, and began to smooth out the folds of their dresses, or touch the edges of their hair, and steal furtive glances at the mirrors to see that all was right before leaving the chamber and facing the hundreds of eyes in the drawing-room below.
Punctually as the last stroke of twelve sounded, the bridegroom and his attendants came to the door.
The procession was formed in the usual manner and passed down-stairs.
Two gentlemen friends who took upon themselves the office of marshals, opened a way through the crowd for the bridal cortège to enter.