by the force of his belief, to
impress the same on the others, and to make them think his great
talent for silence such a proof of his discretion, that they were not
staggered, even by his shy blundering exclamation that his wedding would
be a great nuisance--a phrase which, as Dr. May observed, was, to him,
what Est-il-possible was to his namesake of Denmark.

Nobody wished for any misgivings, so Richard was never told of any,
though there was a careful watch kept to see what were his first
impressions. None transpired, except something about good nature, but it
was shrewdly believed that Richard and George, being much alike in
shy unwillingness to speak, had been highly satisfied with the little
trouble they had caused to each other, and so had come to a tacit
esteem.

There was very little bustle of preparation. Excepting the packing,
everything went on much as usual, till the Thursday morning, and then
the children were up early, refreshing the Christmas hollies, and
working up their excitement, only to have it damped by the suppressed
agitation of their elders at the breakfast-table.

Dr. May did not seem to know what he was about; and Flora looked paler
and paler. She went away before the meal was over, and when Ethel went
to the bedroom, shortly after, she found that she had fairly broken
down, and was kneeling beside Margaret's sofa, resting her head on her
sister's bosom, and sobbing--as Ethel had never seen her weep, except on
that dreadful night, after their mother's death.

In a person ordinarily of such self-command as Flora, weeping was a
terrible thing, and Margaret was much distressed and alarmed; but the
worst had passed before Ethel came up, and Flora was able to speak. "Oh!
Margaret! I cannot leave you! Oh! how happy we have been--"

"You are going to be happier, we trust, dearest," said Margaret fondly.

"Oh! what have I done? It is not worth it!"

Ethel thought she caught those words, but no more. Mary's step was
heard, and Flora was on her feet, instantly, composing herself rapidly.
She shed no more tears, but her eyelids were very heavy, and her face
softened, in a manner that, though she was less pretty than usual, was
very becoming under her bridal veil. She recovered calmness and even
cheerfulness, while reversing the usual order of things, and dressing
her bride's-maids, who would never have turned out fit to be seen, but
for the exertions of herself, Margaret, and Miss Bracy. Ethel's l