But footsteps were heard approaching and he took his arm from her waist and stood beside her with her hand in his.
The door opened and the bridesmaids and groomsmen filed in. Then there were exclamations of surprise and delight.
"Oh, Maud, how lovely! how lovely! When and where did you get that beautiful dress and veil? We all thought you were to be married in your bridesmaid dress that you wore at Rosie's wedding."
"And you like this one better? and the veil that goes with it?" Maud returned with a joyous blush and smile.
"Oh, yes, yes, certainly; it is far handsomer, and so becoming! But how did you get it up so quickly?"
"I didn't. It was dear Cousin Elsie's wedding dress, and she has lent it to me to be married in. It was just like her—always so kind and thoughtful of others."
"That is true, indeed!" said Lucilla; "I do think that in all this world there is not a kinder person than dear Grandma Elsie."
Just then the little flower girls appeared in the doorway and uttered their exclamations of surprise and delight at the beauty of the bride's attire. Their mothers were just behind them, and Violet seemed as much surprised and pleased as the children. She recognized the dress and veil—which she had seen a number of times in the course of her life, and was well content that her mother had seen fit to lend them to Maud for this important time when she could not provide such luxuries for herself.
"The dress fits you wonderfully well, Maud; and both it and the veil are very becoming," Violet said. "I am glad mamma had them, and thought of producing them for this occasion."
"Yes, it was very, very kind in Cousin Elsie," returned the bride, blushing with pleasure.