|The auspicious day had arrived on which the three marriages were to
take place, or rather we ought to say four, since it had been arranged
that Rose Hartley was to be married to Harry Netterville at the same
time.
Harry had come down two days before to Ousel-croft, and had brought with
him, on Chetwynd's special invitation, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, together
with Tom Tankard, who was to act as Harry's best man. Higgins was now
staying at Brackley, and Mr. Tankard had been invited there. Captain
Pon-sonby, an old friend, had agreed to act as Chetwynd's best man,
and Scrope Danvers would perform the same office for his brother.
Sir Bridgnorth dispensed with a friend, and Lady Thicknesse had no
bridesmaid. Emmeline's bridesmaids were to be the two Miss Bretons, the
beautiful Emma Ashton, and Hortensia Biddulph; Mildred's attendants were
the Miss Leiglis, Eugenia Radcliffe, and Blanche Dukinfield. It was not
deemed advisable to increase the number, considering the small size of
the chapel. Sir Gerard Danvers and Scrope were staying at Brackley,
but Sir Bridgnorth, Captain Ponsonby, and Captain Danvers were at
Ouselcroft.
A wedding portion of five hundred pounds had been jointly bestowed on
Rose by Emmeline and Mildred, and Harry Netterville was to be appointed
to the post of steward at Brackley.
The general arrangements was these. Chetwynd and his bride were to spend
their honeymoon in perfect retirement at Ouselcroft; Captain and Mrs.
Danvers meant to proceed to Windermere and the Lake country; and Sir
Bridgnorth and his lady, like sensible folks, intended to drive at once
to Charlton.
Such were the arrangements, and it was a matter of congratulation to all
when the morning proved fine.
An early and very cheery breakfast took place at Ouselcroft, for all
three bridegrooms were in excellent spirits. Another early breakfast
also took place in another room at the same house, at which Mr. and Mrs.
Hartley, Harry Netterville, and Tom Tankard assisted.
After they had finished breakfast, Chetwynd came into the room and shook
hands with them all.
“I'm right glad to see you here, Hartley,” he said, clapping him kindly
on shoulder. “Without you, my good friend, I should neither have been
master of this house, nor wedded to her I love. I told you then I would
some day prove my gratitude; and I mean to do so now. I have got a nice
comfortable farm-house, which I shall bestow upon you and your wife,
and where Harry Netterville can live with you. He will have a post as
steward. I shall be glad to have you all near me.”
“Heaven bless you, sir!” exclaimed Hartley, much affected. “You could
not have conferred a greater kindness upon me, nor one I shall more
appreciate!”
Mrs. Hartley was so overcome that she could hardly get out her thanks,
but she did so at last.
We must now repair to Brackley.
As the day advanced, the old Hall presented a gayer appearance that it
had done for many and many a year. The large court-yard was entirely
filled with the tenants and retainers of the lord of the mansion--who
henceforward would be represented by Chetwynd--their wives and
daughters, some of the latter being very good-looking, and very
well-dressed.
Harry had come down two days before to Ouselcroft, and had brought with
him, on Chetwynd's special invitation, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, together
with Tom Tankard, who was to act as Harry's best man. Higgins was now
staying at Brackley, and Mr. Tankard had been invited there. Captain
Pon-sonby, an old friend, had agreed to act as Chetwynd's best man,
and Scrope Danvers would perform the same office for his brother.
Sir Bridgnorth dispensed with a friend, and Lady Thicknesse had no
bridesmaid. Emmeline's bridesmaids were to be the two Miss Bretons, the
beautiful Emma Ashton, and Hortensia Biddulph; Mildred's attendants were
the Miss Leighs, Eugenia Radcliffe, and Blanche Dukinfield. It was not
deemed advisable to increase the number, considering the small size of
the chapel. Sir Gerard Danvers and Scrope were staying at Brackley,
but Sir Bridgnorth, Captain Ponsonby, and Captain Danvers were at
Ouselcroft.
A wedding portion of five hundred pounds had been jointly bestowed on
Rose by Emmeline and Mildred, and Harry Netterville was to be appointed
to the post of steward at Brackley.
The general arrangements was these. Chetwynd and his bride were to spend
their honeymoon in perfect retirement at Ouselcroft; Captain and Mrs.
Danvers meant to proceed to Windermere and the Lake country; and Sir
Bridgnorth and his lady, like sensible folks, intended to drive at once
to Charlton.
Such were the arrangements, and it was a matter of congratulation to all
when the morning proved fine.
An early and very cheery breakfast took place at Ouselcroft, for all
three bridegrooms were in excellent spirits. Another early breakfast
also took place in another room at the same house, at which Mr. and Mrs.
Hartley, Harry Netterville, and Tom Tankard assisted.
After they had finished breakfast, Chetwynd came into the room and shook
hands with them all.
“I'm right glad to see you here, Hartley,” he said, clapping him kindly
on shoulder. “Without you, my good friend, I should neither have been
master of this house, nor wedded to her I love. I told you then I would
some day prove my gratitude; and I mean to do so now. I have got a nice
comfortable farm-house, which I shall bestow upon you and your wife,
and where Harry Netterville can live with you. He will have a post as
steward. I shall be glad to have you all near me.”
“Heaven bless you, sir!” exclaimed Hartley, much affected. “You could
not have conferred a greater kindness upon me, nor one I shall more
appreciate!”
Mrs. Hartley was so overcome that she could hardly get out her thanks,
but she did so at last.
We must now repair to Brackley.
As the day advanced, the old Hall presented a gayer appearance that it
had done for many and many a year. The large court-yard was entirely
filled with the tenants and retainers of the lord of the mansion--who
henceforward would be represented by Chetwynd--their wives and
daughters, some of the latter being very good-looking, and very
well-dressed.
Among our acquaintances was Marple, the farmer, who had been present
when Sir Leycester Barfleur was lost in the morass, and honest Ned
Rushton, the keeper.
Already a brilliant assemblage was collected in the large room
up-stairs, which was beautifully decorated with flowers, as were the
drawing-room and the Hall. In fact, there were flowers everywhere.
At length the bell began to ring, the several bridal parties assembled
in the Hall, and marshalled by Higgins and Norris, issued forth.
Preceded by a dozen young damsels dressed in white, who scattered
flowers in their path, they then moved through the crowded court to the
chapel, amid the audibly-expressed good wishes of the beholders.
Sir Bridgnorth and Lady Thicknesse took the lead, and her ladyship
looked magnificent in her bridal array.
Then came Emmeline, escorted by her uncle, Sir Gerard Danvers,
and followed by Chetwynd and Captain Ponsonby. She excited general
admiration, as did Mildred, who followed on the arm of Mr. Talbot
Hesketh, her mother's first cousin. Close behind them came Captain
Danvers and his brother Scrope. Lastly came Rose, charmingly and simply
attired in white, and looking quite as pretty as the others. Attended
by her mother, and leaning on her father's arm, she was followed by
Netterville and Tom Tankard. Laura and Clarissa were to act as her
bridesmaids, but they had already gone into the chapel.
The little chapel presented an exceedingly pretty sight; but it was so
full that very few of the tenantry could be admitted.
The chaplain was already at the altar, and his venerable figure
completed the charming picture.
A few minutes elapsed while the several couples were being placed; but
at length this preliminary proceeding was accomplished, and the ceremony
commenced.
At this juncture the scene was exceedingly interesting, and long lived
in the memory of those fortunate enough to behold it.
Rarely have two more beautiful brides than Emmeline and Mildred appeared
at the altar--nay, we may say three, for Rose was little their inferior
in beauty; and Lady Thicknesse, if she had not youth, had remarkable
grace and elegance.
Grouped around were the bridesmaids, all of whom were young, exceedingly
pretty, and charmingly attired.
Placed somewhat apart was Lady Barfleur, but being in deep mourning, she
would not mingle with the group.
The ceremony proceeded, and the different couples were united.
Lady Thicknesse became Lady Bridgnorth, greatly to the delight of the
excellent baronet. Chetwynd was made supremely happy by the hand of
Emmeline. Nor had Charles Danvers less reason to be content, for in
Mildred he obtained a treasure; while we doubt whether any one was
happier than Harry Netterville, when he could really call Rose his own.
The ceremony is over.
We will accompany the happy couples--and they really deserve to be so
described--as they cross the still crowded court, and pass through lines
of bowing tenantry into the hall; but we will not join the throng in the
drawing-room, nor sit down with the large party in the dining-room to
the admirable breakfast prepared by Monsieur Zephyrus.
We will make passing bows to the beautiful brides; we will say farewell
to our kindly Sir Bridgnorth, whom we rejoice to say still flourishes;
we will bid adieu to Chetwynd and Charles Danvers, and wish them all
happiness.
We will visit for a moment another table in another room, at which
we shall find our blooming little Rose and her happy husband--now the
happiest couple possible--her worthy father and doting mother; Tom
Tankard and _his_ father, who keeps him in order; Marple, the farmer;
Ned Rushton, the keeper; and a great many more, all of whom are enjoying
a most plentiful and excellent repast, at which, besides wine, there is
no lack of good strong ale, a couple of casks having been broached that
morning for the tenantry and general guests.
Our task is done.