“And we have the same number of bridesmaids,” remarked Blanche; “your sister and Percy’s two, his and your cousin Mary Keith, our cousin Minnie Eldon, and Dorothy. Aunt Sarah says we must have a rehearsal to-night.”
“Yes,” said Stuart, “and another after Horace Dinsmore gets here, as he will to-morrow, I think.”
“And we expect all our party from Pleasant Plains to be here in the city by that time,” added Percy; “so that we may hope to get all the intended bridesmaids and groomsmen together for that second one.”
“I think they will get in to-night,” said Stuart; “and it will be well if they do, as that will give them—I mean the girls, particularly—time to rest a bit before going through the ordeal.”
“The rehearsal will be scarcely an ordeal, but——” It was Blanche who spoke, but she paused without finishing her sentence, and assuming a comical expression of pretended fright and apprehension.
“The actual ceremony will?” queried Stuart laughingly.
“Yes; remembering that I have heard more than once that men are deceivers,” she sighed. “Alas! if I should be mistaken in the one to whose keeping I commit my happiness.”
“It would be dreadful,” returned Stuart regarding her with admiring, laughing eyes, “and perhaps equally so should I be mistaken in the little woman to whom I commit mine. But I am not afraid.”
“Nor need you be, Blanche, let me assure you,” said Percy. “Try to be as reasonable and trustful as Ethel, who I feel convinced is not the least afraid of me,” he added with a happy little laugh, and a glance of ardent affection at his betrothed.
“Ah, who shall say that that is not because she is a brave—if not particularly bright woman?” laughed Ethel.