As he disappeared another carriage rolled up to the front door, and Dr. Beresford Jones, Electra and Mr. Joseph Brent—Victor Hartman—alighted from it and entered the house.
Alden and Laura Lytton stepped forward to receive them.
Electra seized and kissed Laura in a hurry, while the gentlemen were shaking hands, and then she flew to Alden and congratulated him with much effusion.
"Now, Laura, take me where I can change my dress quickly. I brought a white India muslin with me to wear, for I am to be bride-maid, of course! So are you, I suppose. But you haven't changed your dress yet. Where is Emma? What is she going to be married in?"
"Be quiet, you little Bohemian!" said Laura, cutting short Electra's torrent of words. "Don't you feel that this is no ordinary wedding? The occasion, if not a sorrowful one, is at least very serious. Come, I will take you with me to my own room. We are to lodge together in the south-west room, as usual."
"But are you to be a bride-maid?" persisted the "little Bohemian."
"Yes; and to wear my white tarletan dress and white rose wreath," answered Laura, as they went off together.
"Where's Emma, and what's she doing? as I asked you some time ago."
"She is in her chamber, dressing for the ceremony."
"She hasn't got her wedding-dress made yet; that I know. What's she going to be married in?"