Эпоха невинности

           Thebridesmaids’eightbouquetsofwhitelilacandlilies-of-the-valleyhadbeensentinduetime,aswellasthegoldandsapphiresleeve-linksoftheeightushersandthebestman’scat’s-eyescarf-pin;Archerhadsatuphalfthenighttryingtovarythewordingofhisthanksforthelastbatchofpresentsfrommenfriendsandex-lady-loves;thefeesfortheBishopandtheRectorweresafelyinthepocketofhisbestman;hisownluggagewasalreadyatMrs.MansonMingott’s,wherethewedding-breakfastwastotakeplace,andsowerethetravellingclothesintowhichhewastochange;andaprivatecompartmenthadbeenengagedinthetrainthatwastocarrytheyoungcoupletotheirunknowndestination—concealmentofthespotinwhichthebridalnightwastobespentbeingoneofthemostsacredtaboosoftheprehistoricritual."Gottheringallright?"whisperedyoungvanderLuydenNewland,whowasinexperiencedinthedutiesofabestman,andawedbytheweightofhisresponsibility.Archermadethegesturewhichhehadseensomanybridegroomsmake:withhisunglovedrighthandhefeltinthepocketofhisdarkgreywaistcoat,andassuredhimselfthatthelittlegoldcirclet(engravedinside:NewlandtoMay,April—-,187-)wasinitsplace;then,resuminghisformerattitude,histallhatandpearl-greygloveswithblackstitchingsgraspedinhislefthand,hestoodlookingatthedoorofthechurch.