“I feel happier, dear sir.”
“And what makes the difference?” he smiled.
“‘A change has come over the spirit of my dream;’ that is all,” laughed Anna.
“Ah, my dear! feminine caprice, but I am glad of it. Well, you are ready, Alick is ready, I am ready, and Dick is here; but we have no bridesmaid and no minister.”
“Yes, grandpa, we have a bridesmaid!”
“Ah! I am glad of that! Which of the six young ladies is it who has braved the storm for love of you?”
“Annie,” answered Miss Lyon, evasively, meaning our Anna Drusilla, but wishing her grandpa to understand another Anna, as he did, for he immediately exclaimed.
“Ah! little Annie Seymour! Well she lived nearest! and she must answer for the whole six. But my dear, the carriage has not yet returned with the minister.”
“The way is long and the roads are very bad. Doubtless he will come; but it may be late. Was there a special license got out for us, dear grandpa?” inquired Anna, speaking with assumed carelessness.
“Why, of course, there was, my dear!” answered the old soldier, elevating his eyebrows in astonishment, at the question.