Chapter XV

           (MISSAGNESLOCKWOODTOMRS.FERRARI)

           ’Ipromisedtogiveyousomeaccount,dearEmily,ofthemarriageofMr.ArthurBarvilleandMissHaldane.Ittookplacetendayssince.ButIhavehadsomanythingstolookafterintheabsenceofthemasterandmistressofthishouse,thatIamonlyabletowritetoyouto-day.

           ’Theinvitationstotheweddingwerelimitedtomembersofthefamiliesoneitherside,inconsiderationoftheillhealthofMissHaldane’saunt.OnthesideoftheMontbarryfamily,therewerepresent,besidesLordandLadyMontbarry,SirTheodoreandLadyBarville;Mrs.Norbury(whomyoumayrememberashislordship’ssecondsister);andMr.FrancisWestwick,andMr.HenryWestwick.ThethreechildrenandIattendedtheceremonyasbridesmaids.Wewerejoinedbytwoyoungladies,cousinsofthebrideandveryagreeablegirls.Ourdresseswerewhite,trimmedwithgreeninhonourofIreland;andweeachhadahandsomegoldbraceletgiventousasapresentfromthebridegroom.IfyouaddtothepersonswhomIhavealreadymentioned,theeldermembersofMrs.Carbury’sfamily,andtheoldservantsinbothhouses—privilegedtodrinkthehealthsofthemarriedpairatthelowerendoftheroom—youwillhavethelistofthecompanyatthewedding-breakfastcomplete.

           ’Theweatherwasperfect,andtheceremony(withmusic)wasbeautifullyperformed.Asforthebride,nowordscandescribehowlovelyshelooked,orhowwellshewentthroughitall.Wewereverymerryatthebreakfast,andthespeecheswentoffonthewholequitewellenough.