'No,' said Miss Meadows, fretfully; 'but you have not appeared as a
bride. The straw bonnet--you see people cannot tell whether you are
not incog, as yet--'
To refrain from laughing was impossible. 'My tarn cap,' she
exclaimed; 'I am invisible in it! What shall I do? I fear I shall
never be producible, for indeed it is my very best, my veritable
wedding-bonnet!'
Lucy looked as if she thought it not worth while to be married for no
better a bonnet than that.
'Absurdity!' said Mr. Kendal.
If he would but have given a good hearty laugh, thought Albinia, what
a consolation it would be! but she considered herself to have had a
lesson against laughing in that house, and was very glad when he
proposed going home. He took a kind, affectionate leave of the old
lady, who again looked fondly in big face, and rejoiced in his having
recovered his looks.
As they arrived at home, Lucy announced that she was just going to
speak to Lizzie Osborn, and Sophy ran after her to a house of about
the same degree as their own, but dignified as Mount Lodge, because
it stood on the hill side of the street, while Mr. Kendal's house was
for more gentility called 'Willow Lawn.' Gilbert was not to be
found; but at four o'clock the whole party met at dinner, before the
evening service.
Gilbert could eat little, and on going back to the fire to roast his
cheek instead of going to church, was told by his father, 'I cannot
have this going on.
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