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the heir of redclyffe-第97部分

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Edmonstone alone collected; though much flushed and somewhat trembling; 

while the only person apparently free from excitement was the little 

bride; as there she knelt; her hand clasped in his; her head bent down; 

her modest; steadfast face looking as if she was only conscious of the 

vow she exchanged; the blessing she received; and was; as it were; 

lifted out of herself。



It was over now。  The feast; in its fullest sense; was held; and the 

richest of blessings had been called down on them。



The procession came out of the vestry in full order; and very pretty it 

was; the bride and bridegroom in the fresh bright graciousness of their 

extreme youth; and the six bridesmaids following; Laura and Lady 

Eveleen; two strikingly handsome and elegant girls; Charlotte; with the 

pretty little fair Marianne; Mary Ross; and Grace Harper。  The village 

people who stood round might well say that such a sight as that was 

worth coming twenty miles to see。



The first care; after the bridal pair had driven off; was to put 

Charles into his pony…carriage。  Charlotte; who had just pinned on his 

favour; begged to drive him; for she meant to make him her especial 

charge; and to succeed to all Amy's rights。  Mrs。 Edmonstone asked 

whether Laura would not prefer going with him; but she hastily 

answered;



'No; thank you; let Charlotte;' for with her troubled feelings; she 

could better answer talking girls than parry the remarks of her shrewd; 

observant brother。



Some one said it would rain; but Charlotte still pleaded earnestly。



'Come; then; puss;' said Charles; rallying his spirits; 'only don't 

upset me; or it will spoil their tour。'



Charlotte drove off with elaborate care;then came a deep sigh; and 

she exclaimed; 'Well! he is our brother; and all is safe。'



'Yes;' said Charles; 'no more fears for them。'



'Had you any?  I am very glad if you had。'



'Why?'



'Because it was so like a book。  I had a sort of feeling; all the time; 

that Philip would come in quite grand and terrible。'



'As if he must act Ogre。  I am not sure that I had not something of the 

same notion;that he might appear suddenly; and forbid the banns; 

entirely for Amy's sake; and as the greatest kindness to her。'



'Oh!'



'However; he can't separate them now; let him do his worst; and while 

Amy is Guy's wife; I don't think we shall easily be made to quarrel。  I 

am glad the knot is tied; for I had a fatality notion that the feud was 

so strong; that it was nearly a case of the mountains bending and the 

streams ascending; ere she was to be our foeman's bride。'



'No;' said Charlotte; 'it ought to be like that story of Rosaura and 

her kindred; don't you remember?  The fate would not be appeased by the 

marriage; till Count Julius had saved the life of one of the hostile 

race。  That would be _it_;perhaps they will meet abroad; and Guy will 

_do_ _it_。'



'That won't do。  Philip will never endanger his precious life; nor ever 

forgive Guy the obligation。  Well; I suppose there never was a prettier 

weddinghow silly of me to say so; I shall be sick of hearing it 

before night。'



'I do wish all these people were gone; I did not know it would be so 

horrid。  I should like to shut myself up and cry; and think what I 

could ever do to wait on you。  Indeed; Charlie; I know I never can be 

like Amy but if you'



'Be anything but sentimental; I don't want to make a fool of myself' 

said Charles; with a smile and tone as if he was keeping sorrow at bay。  

'Depend upon it if we were left to ourselves this evening; we should be 

so desperately savage that we should quarrel furiously; and there would 

be no Amy to set us to rights。'



'How Aunt Charlotte did cry!  What a funny little woman she is。'



'Yes; I see now who you take after; puss。  You'll be just like her when 

you are her age。'



'So I mean to be;I mean to stay and take care of you all my life; as 

she does of grandmamma。'



'You do; do you?'



'Yes。  I never mean to marry; it is so disagreeable。  0 dear!  But how 

lovely dear Amy did look。'



'Here's the rain!' exclaimed Charles; as some large drops began to fall 

in good time to prevent them from being either savage or sentimental; 

though at the expense of Charlotte's pink and white; for they had no 

umbrella; and she would not accept a share of Charles's carriage…cloak。  

She laughed; and drove on fast through the short cut; and arrived at 

the house…door; just as the pelting hail was over; having battered her 

thin sleeves; and made her white bonnet look very deplorable。  The 

first thing they saw was Guy; with Bustle close to him; for Bustle had 

found out that something was going on that concerned his master; and 

followed him about more assiduously than ever; as if sensible of the 

decree; that he was to be left behind to Charlotte's care。



'Charlotte; how wet you are。'



'Never mind; Charlie is not。'  She sprung out; holding his hand; and 

felt as if she could never forget that moment when her new brother 

first kissed her brow。



'Where's Amy?'



'Here!' and while Guy lifted Charles out; Charlotte was clasped in her 

sister's arms。



'Are you wet; Charlie?'



'No; Charlotte would not be wise; and made me keep the cloak to 

myself。'



'You are wet through; poor child; come up at once; and change;' said 

Amy; flying nimbly up the stairs;up even to Charlotte's own room; the 

old nursery; and there she was unfastening the drenched finery。 



'0 Amy; don't do all this。  Let me ring。'



'No; the servants are either not come home or are too busy。  Charles 

won't want me; he has Guy。  Can I find your white frock?'



'Oh; but Amylet me see!' Charlotte made prisoner the left hand; and 

looked up with an arch smile at the face where she had called up a 

blush。  'Lady Morville must not begin by being lady's…maid。'



'Let melet me; Charlotte; dear; I sha'n't be able to do anything for 

you this long time。'  Amy's voice trembled; and Charlotte held her fast 

to kiss her again。



'We must make haste;' said Amy; recovering herself。  'There are the 

carriages。'



While the frock was being fastened; Charlotte looked into the Prayer…

book Amy had laid down。  There was the name; Amabel Frances Morville; 

and the date。 



'Has he just written it?' said Charlotte。



'Yes; when we came home。'



'0 Amy! dear; dear Amy; I don't know whether I am glad or sorry!'



'I believe I am both;' said Amy。



At that moment Mrs。 Edmonstone and Laura hastened in。  Then was the 

time for broken words; tears and smiles; as Amy leant against her 

mother; who locked her in a close embrace; and gazed on her in a sort 

of trance; at once of maternal pride and of pain; at giving up her 

cherished nestling。  Poor Laura! how bitter were her tears; and how 

forced her smiles;far unlike the rest!



No one would care to hear the details of the breakfast; and the 

splendours of the cake; how Charlotte recovered her spirits while 

distributing the favours: and Lady Eveleen set up a flirtation with 

Markham; and forced him into wearing one; though he protested; with 

many a grunt; that she was making a queer fool of him; how often 

Charles was obliged to hear it had been a pretty wedding; and how well 

Lord Kilcoran made his speech proposing the health of Sir Guy and Lady 

Morville。  All the time; Laura was active and useful;feeling as if 

she was acting a play; sustaining the character of Miss Edmonstone; the 

bridesmaid at her sister's happy marriage; while the true Laura; 

Philip's Laura; was lonely; dejected; wretched; half fearing for her 

sister; half jealous of her happiness; forced into pageantry with an 

aching heart;with only one wish; that it was over; and that she might 

be again alone with her burden。



She was glad when her mother rose; and the ladies moved into the 

drawing…room;glad to escape from Eveleen's quick eye; and to avoid 

Mary's clear sense;glad to talk to comparative strangers;glad of 

the occupation of going to prepare Amabel for her journey。  This lasted 

a long time;there was so much to be said; and hearts were so full; 

and Amy over again explained to Charlotte how to perform all the little 

services to Charles which she relinquished; while her mother had so 

many affectionate last words; and every now and then stopped short to 

look at her little daughter; saying; she did not know if it was not a 

dream。



At length Amabel was dressed in her purple and white shot silk; her 

muslin mantle; and white bonnet。  Mrs。 Edmonstone left her and Laura to 

have a few words together; and went to the dressing…room。  There she 

found Guy; leaning on the mantelshelf; as he used to do when he brought 

his troubles to her。  He started as she entered。



'Ought I not to be here? he said。  'I could not help coming once more。  

This room has always been the kernel of my h
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