I want the young ladies to be my
bridesmaids--and then for the little ones, your Maggy and your Kitty. I
am bound to go to London for a month to-morrow, and then I could order
all the bracelets and the brooches, if I were only certain who the
blessed four would be."
"I never had any bridesmaids myself, and I don't know anything about
them. I thought that the ladies were the people to settle that."
"The ladies are glad to be relieved of the expense, and I wish to start
well," replied Shargeloes. "Why are ninety-nine men out of a hundred
henpecked?"
"I am sure I don't know, except that they can't help it. But have you
heard the great news of this evening?"
"The reason is," continued the member of the Corporation, "that they
begin with being nobodies. They leave the whole management of their
weddings to the women, and they never recover the reins. Miss Twemlow
is one of the most charming of her sex; but she has a decided character,
which properly guided will be admirable. But to give it the lead at the
outset would be fatal to future happiness. Therefore I take this affair
upon myself. I pay for it all, and I mean to do it all."
"What things you do learn in London!" the Captain answered, with a sigh.
"Oh, if I had only had the money--but it is too late to talk of that.
Once more, have you heard the news?"
"About the great battle, and the death of Nelson? Yes, I heard of all
that this morning.
Pages:
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715