To the altar led a temporary aisle3, formed by stanchions of old silver candelabra filled with ascension lilies, and joined by garlands of white blossoms.
Promptly4 on time, the bridal cortège appeared. First walked a vested choir5 singing a processional. Then the bridesmaids, in palest pink tulle frocks, each pair carrying between them a long garland of pink roses, and wearing wreaths of pink roses on their hair.
Patty and Daisy Dow were the first pair, and very lovely they looked as they traversed the flower-hung room. Garlands of pink roses were everywhere, on the walls, from the doorframes and windows, and gracefully6 drooping8 from the ceiling. Next came Elise, Maid of Honor, in a gown of slightly deeper pink, and then Mona, her father beside her.
The bride's gown was of point lace with a very long court train of embroidered9 satin. Her veil, of old lace, was an heirloom from her mother, and was held by a wreath of orange blossoms. Roger's gift of a diamond pendant was her only jewel.
After the ceremony, as the bridal party retraced10 their steps, the bridesmaids sang softly, "O Perfect Love," and then they took their places for the reception, the orchestra's strains broke forth11, and the festivities began. Having no mother or near feminine relative, Mona had asked Nan to receive with her, and very gracefully Nan did the honours.
"A beautiful wedding," everybody said, and then there arrived many more guests who had been asked to the reception only.
The room became crowded and people wandered into the adjoining rooms which were also for the use of the guests.
Patty stood in the line of the bridal party and smiled and chatted with the stream of people who drifted by, murmuring congratulatory phrases. Mona was supremely12 happy and she looked it. Not only was she married to the man she loved, but the wedding was just such a pageant13 of beauty and grandeur14 as she had wished it to be and no smallest item of the preparations had gone wrong. She stood by Roger's side, now and then glancing up into his face with a smile of happiness and contentment.
The bridegroom looked proud and happy. He hadn't cared for so much elaboration of entertainment, but Mona had wanted it, and so he acquiesced16 in all particulars.
"When will it be all over and we can get away?" he whispered in her ear.
"Oh, not for hours," returned his new wife. "There's the feast, and then the dancing,—I don't want to miss a bit of it! Why, Roger, this is our wedding party."
"Yes, I gathered as much! All right, dearest, stay as long as you like."
"It is a pretty wedding, isn't it, Roger? You like it, don't you?"
Mona looked suddenly troubled.
"Of course I do, darling. I like it better than any wedding I ever attended! I've only seen one thing, though,—that's you. Are there other people here?"
"Oh, a few! Three or four hundred, anyway. But where's Bill
Farnsworth? I haven't seen him yet."
"He came in late. I just caught sight of him a minute ago. Probably he's trying to get through the crowd to us."
Which was just what Farnsworth was doing. He had arrived during the ceremony, and had not yet made his way to the bridal party.
In fact, he was continually stopped in his progress by acquaintances who greeted him and held him in conversation.
But at last he reached the bride.
"My dear Mona," he cried, "don't look so happy! You dazzle me!"
Mona beamed more joyously17 than ever, and Roger warmly welcomed
Farnsworth.
"Splendid affair," Bill went on. "Looks like Fairyland or some enchanted18 garden. I was wafted19 in on the strains of the orchestra, and I can scarcely hold myself down on terra firma. But I mustn't monopolise the prince and princess of this magic realm. I'll try for a few words, later, but now I must make way for the crowd behind me. Oh, how do you do, Patty? How are you? You're looking splendid. And Daisy! Well, it's good to see you again. By the way, Daisy, I saw Lou Standish last week in Arizona. He sent greetings to you."
"Oh, did you, Bill? Did you see Lou? Tell me more about him."
Patty turned aside, her gaiety suddenly gone. What did Bill Farnsworth mean by treating her like that? A blank stare from him would have surprised her no more than those few careless words, flung at her hastily, as if she were the merest acquaintance. She felt as if a bucket of ice water had been splashed on her head and was still trickling20 down her shoulders.
"Come back, Miss Fairfield," she heard somebody saying gaily21, and with a start she realised she had been staring blankly into vacancy22 so stunned23 was she by Farnsworth's manner.
It was Sam Blaney who spoke24, and as he had taken her hand and still held it, Patty suddenly recovered her poise25 and spirits.
"Time's up, Mr. Blaney," she laughed. "You have had my hand fully7 three minutes, and that's the limit. Somebody else may want it."
"Possession is nine points of the law," said Blaney, still retaining her hand.
"But appropriation26 isn't possession," and Patty gently withdrew her hand from his detaining fingers.
"No, possession must be granted. Perhaps some time——"
"Some time——" Patty assented27, smiling, and dismissing Blaney, as more and more people came along.
But at last the reception was over, and the bridal party went to their especial table in the supper room.
Mona, still resplendent in her heavy court train and bridal laces, cut her wedding cake. She had never looked more beautiful. The long reception had tired her a little, but though the animation28 in her face was not so vivid, there was a lovely radiant light in her eyes, and her smile was gentle and sweet.
"Roger on this side of me," she said, arranging her table, "Dad on this. The rest of you may sit where you like. I've stopped directing this party,—or any other. I've conducted the little affair of this evening to a successful conclusion, and now I resign all generalship and all planning and arranging to my husband. I'm glad to give up all responsibilities, and I'm going to lead a life of leisure while Roger looks after things for me."
"Good little wife!" said Patty. "I foresee happy days and clear sailing under such regulations."
"If you keep it up," laughed Kit29 Cameron. "You're pretty well tired out now, Mrs. Farrington, but I'm not sure you're going to stand aside always, when matters of importance arise."
"Yes, she will," declared Roger. "You see, I shall rule her with a rod of iron, and she'll be so terrified of me, that she won't dare cross my lightest whim30."
They all laughed at this, for Roger had the most easy-going of natures and had never been known to insist upon his own way.
Patty sat between Van Reypen and Kit Cameron, and opposite her, across the table, was Bill Farnsworth, next to Daisy Dow.
His careless, impersonal31 greeting still rankled32 in Patty's mind, but, though it both hurt and angered her, she had no intention of showing her feelings. So, she went to the other extreme and was madly gay and merry, laughing and jesting with everybody and enjoying herself to the utmost.
She looked adorable. The pale pink of her bridesmaid costume was most becoming and her wreath of pink roses, which had slipped a little to one side, gave her the effect of a Queen Titania. Her eyes were like two blue stars, and a pink flush showed on her cheeks, while her scarlet33 lips smiled or pouted34 with her changing moods.
"Did you ever see such colouring as that girl has!" murmured Daisy Dow to Farnsworth. "I never saw such truly gold hair, or such blue blue eyes, or such a wonderful complexion35."
Daisy spoke whole-heartedly and generously, for she loved Patty, and she thought her the prettiest girl she knew.
"She is pretty," agreed Farnsworth. "Tell me about her,—about all the crowd. I've been away a month and lots can happen in that time. Is Patty engaged to Van Reypen?"
"It isn't announced," said Daisy, "but I think she really is. I shouldn't be surprised if they announce it tonight, after Mona goes away."
"Fine chap, Van Reypen. How about the others? Kit and Elise?"
"Yes, I think so. Though that isn't announced either. Goodness, Bill, suppose they all get engaged and married and leave me to be the only old maid in our set!"
"No fear of that, Daisy. Unless you prefer it so,—and I hope you won't."
"You hope that! Why, Bill, if I thought you hoped it——"
Just then a commotion36 arose as Mona left the table.
"Ready, girls," she cried out. "I'm going to toss my bouquet37. Hold out your hands, all of you."
Obediently, her bridesmaids stood in a row, with their hands held out. There was no question of catching38 the flowers, for Mona after deliberately39 looking over the lot, tossed it into Patty's hands. "For you," she said, and, laughing, ran away.
"Greatness thrust upon me!" Patty laughed, looking at the great bunch of white orchids40 and valley lilies, with its fluttering tendrils and ends of ribbon. "Must I really live up to this favour? Must I really be a bride myself before the year is up? Of course, if it is obligatory——"
She looked up, half shy, and caught Van Reypen's gaze upon her. She turned toward Farnsworth, but he was looking another way. Plucking one stem of lilies of the valley from the bunch she tossed it to Phil, who caught it, kissed it, and put it in his buttonhole. Farnsworth looked round just in time to see the act, and smiled at her.
"Didn't mean anything," said Patty, perversely41, and then, pulling out half a dozen more sprays, she threw them indiscriminately around, to Cameron, and several of the other ushers42 who were grouped about. Farnsworth made a slight effort to catch one, but he didn't really try, and the flower fell to the floor just beyond his reach. He shrugged43 his shoulders slightly, but made no move to pick it up.
Just then Sam Blaney came along, and Patty offered him a flower, and herself adjusted it in his buttonhole.
"I'm crazy to talk to you," he said, "but I didn't belong at your supper table. Can't we go somewhere and have a bit of a chat?"
"Yes," agreed Patty, "only not too far away from the bride's crowd. Mona will be going away soon, and I must see her go, of course. Didn't she look beautiful?"
"Not in comparison with somebody else I know."
"I'm a mind reader, Mr. Blaney, and I perceive you mean me. But you're mistaken. I'm pretty, in a doll-faced way, but Mona is really beautiful."
"You know where beauty is, Miss Fairfield. In the eye of the beholder44."
"Let me see. Yes," after she had looked straight into Blaney's eyes, "yes, you have beauty in your eyes."
"The reflection of your face," he replied, serenely45. "You are a flower-face; I never saw any one who so well merited the term. I must write a sonnet46 to Flower Face."
"It can't be any better poetry than the verses you wrote to me at
Lakewood. They are exquisite47. Mayn't I show them?"
"Please not. I fancied you would like to keep them just for yourself.
Stay, I have a better name for you. Flower Soul, that's what you are.
That shall be the theme of my sonnet. I think your soul is made of
white lilac."
"Why do you people always talk about souls?" asked Patty, gaily. "You don't mean souls really, you know; you mean—well, what do you mean?"
"No, we don't mean souls in the theological sense, we mean the higher understanding and finer sensations."
"Oh," said Patty, not much enlightened.
"And you are coming to see us soon, aren't you? Alla said you promised her you would."
"Yes, I did. And I will come. Do you have regular meetings, like a club,—or what?"
"Yes, like a club, but not on set dates. I'll let you know when the next one—or, stay, I know now. There will be a gathering48 at our place next Tuesday night. Will you attend? May I come and fetch you?"
"Yes, do, I'd love to be there. Gracious, here comes Mona. I must be with the others."
Patty hurried across the room to stand with the bridal attendants, and, looking very handsome in her travelling costume, Mona bade them good-bye. There was no mad scramble49 as the bride and groom15 departed, but flower petals50 and confetti were showered on them, which they good-naturedly allowed.
"Come along, my lady," said Roger, at last, as Mona delayed to talk to the girls.
And then they went away, and some of the guests stayed to dance a little longer.
"Come, Patty," said Van Reypen, as the orchestra struck up, "this is our dance."
Patty assented, and they went gliding51 over the perfect floor.
Philip said nothing while they danced, and Patty, too, was silent.
This was unusual, for Patty generally chattered52 as she danced.
"Tired, dear?" said Philip, at last.
"A little. It has been a long evening."
"And a strenuous53 one. I saw you were getting weary as you stood in that line of receiving so long. Come, let us sit down."
Philip guided her to a pleasant settee, screened by tall palms, and seated himself beside her.
"Poor little girl," he said, "you're all done up. You must go home soon, Patty. You can't dance any more tonight."
"Oh, yes, I can. I'm not really tired. It's more excitement and——"
"And nerves. I know,—Mona getting married means a lot to you. You're very intimate friends, aren't you?"
"Yes; and as she has no mother, Nan and I have tried to do all we could for her, but she is so capable, we couldn't do much, after all."
"No; I suppose not. Patty, why did she give you her bouquet? I thought brides threw them, and any one caught them that could."
"They do, usually."
"Well, then, why didn't Mona?"
"Oh, because,—oh, I don't know."
"You do know, Patty. Was it because she thinks you will be the next bride of your set? Because she thinks you will marry—me?"
Phil's eyes were radiant, and his voice trembled as he whispered, "And will you, dear? Will you, my little Patty? You promised, you know, to tell me tonight. So, tell me,—and tell me,—yes."
Patty sat up very straight and looked at him. "Philip," she said, and her voice was serious; "if I have to decide now, it will be No. I did say I'd tell you tonight, and I meant to, but I'm all tired and bothered, and if I'm not careful, I shall cry! So, if you hold me to my promise, I'll answer you now, but it will be No. I can't say Yes,—tonight."
"Then don't say anything. I'll wait, dearest. Oh, Patty, of course, I'll wait. You are exhausted54 and nervous and you want to rest. Don't answer me now, dear, for I don't want that answer you spoke of! Let's wait a week or so longer, and then make up our mind. Shall us?"
"Yes, Phil, and thank you for being so good to me."
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1
ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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8
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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9
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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10
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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appropriation
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| n.拨款，批准支出 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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impersonal
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| adj.无个人感情的，与个人无关的，非人称的 | |
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rankled
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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pouted
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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orchids
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| n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 ) | |
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perversely
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| adv. 倔强地 | |
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ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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sonnet
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| n.十四行诗 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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51
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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52
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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53
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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