ld
be nice for me to go and see his people; why what am I telling you this
for when Lawrence is your own brother?"

"I dont know I'm sure" laughed Gladys, "by the by Helen did Lawrence
tell you that mother and father have quite softened, and are quite
willing I should marry Mulberry, but they cant bring themselves to come
up tomorrow to the marriage; Lionel and Minna are coming though, so I
expect they will go back to Norfolk with you and Lawrence."

"I knew all that" replied Helen "I am really quite excited about it."

"Oh Helen you must see my wedding dress" cried Gladys, and getting up
the two girls walked to the bed whereon lay a flimsy mass of tule and
satin crowned with orange blossom and glittering with diamonds."

"It is really a beautiful dress" said Helen at last "how sweet you will
look Gladys."

"Dont be sarcastic" said Gladys with a smile little dreaming how pretty
she looked even then in her simple dressing gown.

"Oh I say there is 12 o'clock striking" cried Helen starting up "I've
been here a whole two hours, it is really disgracful, well goodnight
Gladys dear" she added as she flew quickly out of the room as the last
stroke of midnight died softly away.

CHAPTER 33

THE MARRIAGE

At 11 o'clock precisely, as Gladys had said the marriage ceremony began.

Gladys as I have already said was attired in a white satin trained dress
made to fit her slender figure to perfection and covered with thin tule.
She wore orange blossom in her hair and on her dress and a magnificent
diamond crescent caught up her veil.

Helen and Mina Lincarrol were the bridesmaids they also wore white.
Their dresses were exactly alike, but to colour them a little, they were
delicately shaded with primrose yellow; long satin streamers hung from
the bouquets they carried and both being dark girls the colour suited
them admirably.

The page, a little Spanish cousin of Mulberry's was attired in white and
yellow satin also and very pretty he looked, being just five years old
and very dark with an olive complexion.

Lionel Lincarrol a tall handsome man of five or six and twenty gave his
sister away as his father could not come up for the ceremony.

The mighty cathedral was filled to overflowing; the most part of the
people were invited guests as Lord Beaufort was very popular in society;
but a great many ordinary people had just dropped in to try and catch a
glimpse of the bride and bridegroom as they marched up the c