The Lost Lady of Lone. Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth

Now, Janet, did you tell his lordship's messenger to wait?"

      "Yes, Miss."

      Miss Levison drew a little writing-stand to her side, opened the desk, took out materials and penned the following note:

      Lone Castle, Tuesday.

      My Most Beloved and honored: Your right royal gift is beyond all price for richness, beauty, traditional interest, and symbolism, and as such I shall hold it above all other gifts, and cherish it to the end of my life. But it is not only to speak of your invaluable gift I write; it is also to ask you to do a strange thing to please me this morning. It is now eight o'clock. We are appointed to meet at the church at eleven. Will you meet me here first at half-past nine? I wish to tell you something before we go to the altar. It is nothing important that I have to tell you—you will probably only laugh at it; but I must get it off my mind; for it weighs there like a sin. Come and receive my little confession, and give absolution to Your Own Salome.

      She enveloped and directed this note, and gave it to Janet, with orders to hand it to Lord Arondelle's man.

      When the girl had left the room, Miss Levison turned to the housekeeper and inquired:

      "Has my father's bell rung yet, do you know?"

      "Na, me young leddy, it has na rung yet. Sir Lemuel's man, Mr. Peter, is down-stairs, waiting for the summons."

      "Perhaps he had better call his master," suggested Miss Levison.

      "Na, Miss, sae I tauld him; but he said his orders were no to call his master the morn', but to wait till he heard his bell ring. He's waiting for that e'en noo."

      "Very well, Mrs. Ross. Papa was up late last night, I know, and is probably tired this morning. So we must let him sleep as long as possible. But as soon as his bell rings, be sure to take him up a cup of coffee."

      "Verra weel, Miss."

      "And, Mrs. Ross, I hope that all our guests are cared for, and served in their own rooms with tea and toast, or coffee and muffins, as they choose?"

      "Ou, ay, me dear young leddy, I hae ta'en care of a' that. And what will I bring yersel', Miss, before ye begin to dress?"

      "Nothing; I have had a cup of coffee. That is sufficient for the present."

      "Neathing but ae wee bit cup o' coffee, my dear young leddy?"

      "No; I have no appetite. I suppose no girl ever did have on her wedding morning," said Miss Levison, shivering and then flushing.

      The housekeeper contemplated her young mistress with growing anxiety.

      "I am sure ye are no weel," she ventured again to suggest.

      "I am quite well, my dear Mrs. Ross. Do not disturb yourself. But go now and send Janet and Kitty to me. I must begin to dress."

      The housekeeper left the room, and was soon replaced by the lady's maid and the upper house-maid.

      "Is my bath ready, Kitty?"

      "Yes, Miss; and I have poured six bottles of ody collone intil it," said the girl, with a very self-approving air.

      "You needn't have done that," said Miss Levison, with an amused smile, "but you meant well, and I thank you."

      She took her customary morning bath, and slipping on a soft, white, cashmere wrapper, placed herself in the hands of her maidens to be dressed for the altar.

      Janet combed, and brushed and arranged the shining dark brown hair. Kitty laced the dainty white velvet boots. Janet arrayed her in her bridal robes, and Kitty clasped the costly jewels around her neck and arms. One placed the bridal vail and wreath upon her head, while the other drew the pretty pearl-embroidered gloves upon her hands.

      At length her toilet was complete, and she stood up, beautiful in her youth, love, and joy, and imperial in her array.

      She wore a long trained dress of the richest white satin, trimmed with deep point lace flounces, headed with trails of orange flower buds; an over-dress of fine cardinal point lace, looped up with festoons of orange buds; a point lace berthe and short sleeve ruffles; a necklace, pendant, and bracelets of pearls set in diamonds, white kid gloves, embroidered with fine white silk; white satin boots worked with pearls. On her head the rich, full orange flower wreath. And over all, like mist over frost and snow, fell the long bridal vail of finest point lace, softening the whole effect.

      "The young ladies, your bridesmaids, bid me tell you, Miss, that they are quite ready to come to you, when you are so to receive them," said Kitty, as she placed the bouquet of orange flowers in its jewelled holder, and handed it to her mistress.

      "Very well. I will send for them in good time," answered Miss Levison, glancing at the little golden clock upon the mantel-piece, and noticing that it was nearly half-past nine, the hour at which she expected Lord Arondelle. "But now, Kitty, my good girl, go and inquire if my father is up, and return and let me know. I would like to see him in his room."

      The house-maid courtesied and went out, and after a few minutes' absence returned running.

      "If you please, Miss, Sir Lemuel hasn't rung his bell yet, and Mr. Peters says, with his duty to you, Miss, as it is so late, hadn't he better call his master?"

      "By no means! Let Mr. Peters obey his master's orders not to disturb him until his bell rings," answered the young lady.

      "Yes, Miss; and if you please, Miss, here is a card, and his lordship, Lord Arondelle, is down stairs asking for you, Miss," said the girl, laying the pasteboard in question before her young mistress.

      "Lord Arondelle! Yes, I expected his lordship. Where is he?"

      "Mr. McRath showed him into the library, Miss."

      "Quite right. None of our guests have left their rooms yet?"

      "No, Miss, they be all busy a dressing of themselves, as I think."

      "Ah! then go before me and open the door, and tell his lordship that I shall be with him in a moment," said Miss Levison.

      The girl dropped another courtesy and preceded her mistress down stairs. In going down the great upper hall, Miss Levison passed the door of the dark, narrow passage at right angles with the hall, and leading to the tower stairs, where she had seen the apparition of the night before. She shivered and hurried on. She paused a moment before the door leading to the ante-room of her father's bed-chamber, and listened to hear if he were stirring; but all within seemed as still as death. She went on and descended the stairs and reached the library-door, just as Kitty opened it and said:

      "Miss Levison, my lord," and retired to give place to the young lady.

      Miss Levison entered the library.

      Lord Arondelle, in his wedding dress, stood by the central book-table. As his costume was the regulation uniform of a gentleman's full dress, it needs no description here. Gentlemen array themselves much in the same style for a dinner or a ball, a wedding or a funeral—the only difference to mark the occasion being in the color of the gloves.

      Lord Arondelle advanced to meet his bride.

      "My love and queen! this meeting is a grace granted me indeed! How beautiful you are!" he exclaimed, taking both her hands and carrying them to his lips. "But you are shivering, sweet girl! You are cold!" he added anxiously, as he looked at her more attentively.

      "I have been shivering all the morning. I sat at my open window late last night and got a little chilled; but it is nothing," she answered, smiling.

      "You shall not do such suicidal things, when I have the charge of you, my little lady," he said, half jestingly, half seriously, as he led her to a sofa and seated her on it, taking his own seat by her side.

      "Come, now," he gayly continued, "was that indiscreet star-gazing which has resulted in a cold the little sin for which you wish me to give you absolution?"

      "No, my lord. My sin was an evil dream."