t change the bridegroom as well then," said Magdalen, rather
maliciously, "and perhaps she might not object."

"What a pity Maurice is gone! It will have to be Mr. Percy, Lucia,"
cried Bella, loosing the veil to clap her hands.

"Be silent, Bella," said Mrs. Bellairs, "and finish dressing at once,
unless you intend me to leave you."

Lucia, flushed and half angry, had by this time freed herself from the
veil and smoothed her hair. Bella, a little sobered by her sister's
annoyance, returned to her toilette and was soon ready to go downstairs.

In the drawing-room the guests were rapidly assembling. A space near one
end had been kept clear, but every other corner soon filled; and the
party overflowed into Mrs. Bellairs' own little room adjoining. Mr. and
Mrs. Bayne were among the last arrivals, and punctual to the appointed
time came the bridegroom and Harry Scott.

A little change and flutter of the colour on Bella's cheek, when the
well-known knock was heard, showed that she was not entirely without
trepidation, but she rose quietly, took a last look at herself in the
glass, and was standing ready when her brother-in law came to fetch her.
In the hall, the bridegroom and his two friends met them--the
drawing-room door opened, and, with a soft rustle and gleam of white
dresses, the little party passed up through the crowd, and took their
places before the clergyman.

There was no want of seriousness in Bella now. She had become so
extremely pale that Mrs. Bellairs watched her anxiously; but except that
her responses were made in a perfectly clear and audible tone, without
the smallest tremulousness, or appearance of what one of her neighbours
called "proper feeling," she was a most exemplary bride--even to the
point of looking prettier than she had ever been known to do before, and
almost eclipsing her bridesmaids. But, the ceremony over, she did not
remain long so unlike herself. She was quiet, certainly, but as gay,
mischievous, and childish as ever.

Breakfast followed the marriage almost immediately. It was, of course,
as brilliant an affair as the resources of Cacouna could produce, and
everybody really seemed to enjoy themselves. The newly-married pair were
in all eyes but Lucia's so well and happily matched, and had so
reasonable a prospect of being content with each other and their
fortunes, that there did not seem to be a single cloud on the day. The
same boat which had carried Maurice away three days bef