Епоха невинності

           "Andallthewhile,Isuppose,"hethought,"realpeoplewerelivingsomewhere,andrealthingshappeningtothem...""THERETHEYCOME!"breathedthebestmanexcitedly;butthebridegroomknewbetter.ThecautiousopeningofthedoorofthechurchmeantonlythatMr.Brownthelivery-stablekeeper(gownedinblackinhisintermittentcharacterofsexton)wastakingapreliminarysurveyofthescenebeforemarshallinghisforces.Thedoorwassoftlyshutagain;thenafteranotherintervalitswungmajesticallyopen,andamurmurranthroughthechurch:"Thefamily!"Mrs.Wellandcamefirst,onthearmofhereldestson.Herlargepinkfacewasappropriatelysolemn,andherplum-colouredsatinwithpaleblueside-panels,andblueostrichplumesinasmallsatinbonnet,metwithgeneralapproval;butbeforeshehadsettledherselfwithastatelyrustleinthepewoppositeMrs.Archer’sthespectatorswerecraningtheirneckstoseewhowascomingafterher.WildrumourshadbeenabroadthedaybeforetotheeffectthatMrs.MansonMingott,inspiteofherphysicaldisabilities,hadresolvedonbeingpresentattheceremony;andtheideawassomuchinkeepingwithhersportingcharacterthatbetsranhighattheclubsastoherbeingabletowalkupthenaveandsqueezeintoaseat.