She would have given the world to have been able to control herself, for she feared that the company would suspect something of the tumult in her heart, but she could not.
However, when the ceremony was over, the gay crowd came forward, brimming with mirth, and in the jollity that followed, these impressions in a measure passed away.
There were laughter and compliment on every lip, shaking of hands and congratulation on every side, until at length Minnie Shelton put a stop to it by coming forward and saying:
“The musicians are all ready, Lord Carrol; you’ll have to dance the first quadrille with your bride; I’ll claim you for the second. Hasn’t it been a lovely wedding, though?—just as if it had been real, you know—and we’ve had all the fun without any flurry. My!” perking her restless head on one side and eying Josephine out of her bright eyes like some pretty bird, “don’t I hope I may make as charming a bride when somebody comes to marry me!”
There was a general laugh at this sally, for Miss Minnie was a favorite with everybody.
“Now come, please; and, Lord Henderson, if you have no objection, I’d like you for a partner, and we will be the happy couple’s vis a vis.”
Without waiting for his consent, she slipped her little hand within his arm and led him along after Lord Carrol and Josephine, who could do nothing but obey her commands.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
“I HAVE BEEN MAD.”
When that first dance was over, Lord Carrol led Josephine to a seat, and, bowing before her, said, in as light a tone as he could command:
“Thank you, Miss Richards. I suppose our part in this little farce closes now. Allow me to congratulate you upon having assisted in carrying it off in the most perfect manner. I must confess,” he added, a slight shade falling over his face, “that it does not strike me as just the thing to make a mockery of sacred subjects; but since Minnie Shelton, who is a veritable witch, and our guests have enjoyed it, perhaps I should not preach about it.”