“Neathing but ae wee bit cup o’ coffee, my dear young leddy?”

“No; I have no appetite.  I suppose no girl ever did have on her wedding morning,” said Miss Levison, shivering and then flushing.

The housekeeper contemplated her young mistress with growing anxiety.

“I am sure ye are no weel,” she ventured again to suggest.

“I am quite well, my dear Mrs. Ross.  Do not disturb yourself.  But go now and send Janet and Kitty to me.  I must begin to dress.”

The housekeeper left the room, and was soon replaced by the lady’s maid and the upper house-maid.

“Is my bath ready, Kitty?”

“Yes, Miss; and I have poured six bottles of ody collone intil it,” said the girl, with a very self-approving air.

“You needn’t have done that,” said Miss Levison, with an amused smile, “but you meant well, and I thank you.”

She took her customary morning bath, and slipping on a soft, white, cashmere wrapper, placed herself in the hands of her maidens to be dressed for the altar.

Janet combed, and brushed and arranged the shining dark brown hair.  Kitty laced the dainty white velvet boots.  Janet arrayed her in her bridal robes, and Kitty clasped the costly jewels around her neck and arms.  One placed the bridal vail and wreath upon her head, while the other drew the pretty pearl-embroidered gloves upon her hands.

At length her toilet was complete, and she stood up, beautiful in her youth, love, and joy, and imperial in her array.

She wore a long trained dress of the richest white satin, trimmed with deep point lace flounces, headed with trails of orange flower buds; an over-dress of fine cardinal point lace, looped up with festoons of orange buds; a point lace berthe and short sleeve ruffles; a necklace, pendant, and bracelets of pearls set in diamonds, white kid gloves, embroidered with fine white silk; white satin boots worked with pearls.  On her head the rich, full orange flower wreath.  And over all, like mist over frost and snow, fell the long bridal vail of finest point lace, softening the whole effect.

“The young ladies, your bridesmaids, bid me tell you, Miss, that they are quite ready to come to you, when you are so to receive them,” said Kitty, as she placed the bouquet of orange flowers in its jewelled holder, and handed it to her mistress.

“Very well.  I will send for them in good time,” answered Miss Levison, glancing at the little golden clock upon the mantel-piece, and noticing that it was nearly half-past nine, the hour at which she expected Lord Arondelle.  “But now, Kitty, my good girl, go and inquire if my father is up, and return and let me know.  I would like to see him in his room.”

The house-maid courtesied and went out, and after a few minutes’ absence returned running.

“If you please, Miss, Sir Lemuel hasn’t rung his bell yet, and Mr. Peters says, with his duty to you, Miss, as it is so late, hadn’t he better call his master?”