"Charley is delighted;" said Carry.
"Is that surprising?" asked Josephine, with a dash of irony.
"Hush! Here they are!" said Anna.
The clergyman stepped into the centre of the room. The fourth couple entered first.
"Only six attendants!" whispered Josephine, as Charley appeared in the doorway. A freezing night shut her in! through it she saw but two forms—a princely figure, his Antinous head erect in proud happiness—and the hated, injured rival, to whose house, curiosity and vanity had tempted her—the bridal veil falling in soft wreaths about her;—his bride! his wife! for emulous groups flocked around them.
"Oh! how could you deceive me so?" cried Anna, catching Emma, as Charley led her up. "Mr. Dana! we thought you were the bridegroom! The servant said—'Mars' Charley Dana!' Didn't she, Josephine?"
The frozen lips thawed into a stiff "Yes."
"Ah! how foolish in me to forget that Molly espoused the 'Dana cause!'" said Emma.
"And you believed the mistress would imitate the maid's example, Miss Anna?" returned Charley. "Are you inconsolable that I am single yet?"
"No! overjoyed! A change has come over my desperate spirit, since I discovered my mistake. Come Josephine! we must congratulate them."