"May come! Eveleen, do you want me to--to hit you? Eliza or someone must go at once and fetch it, finished or not."
"I daresay Eliza can go, if you think it necessary. If you take my advice you won't excite yourself."
"Won't excite myself! If it were your wedding and your dress you'd talk in a different strain."
"I should have made different arrangements."
"You would have made--" I bit my lip till it nearly bled; I had to do something to stop myself. "I know how nice you can be if you like; but I don't mean to quarrel with you, to-day of all days, if I can help it." As I was speaking Eliza reappeared in the doorway. "Eliza, I want you to get a hansom and to tell the man to drive you to Mme. Sylvia's as fast as he can. I'll give you a note to her. You're to bring my dress back with you. I'll write the note while you're putting on your hat. Do be as quick as you can."
"If you please, miss, Miss Mackenzie's downstairs."
A voice exclaimed behind Eliza,--
"Oh, no, she's not; she's here." There stood Ellen, in her bridesmaid's dress, all smiles. She came bustling into the room--in that bustling way she always has. "Well, my children, how are you? And how's the sweet young bride? You told me to be here by ten--ready dressed--and here I am. What do you think of it?" She turned and twisted herself about so as to show off her dress. "It's a bit tight under the arms and a shade loose in the back, but it's not so bad. Am I the first? Where are Bertha and Constance?"
I waved my hand towards Eveleen.
"Tell her--I can't!"