Gratia's Trials — page 222: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GRATIA’S TRIALS, 213 ‘dare say,” he whispered. ‘‘ Nobody else would dare to act so. Let ‘em alone—we don’t want a scene in the church.” While Mrs. Kempfield was yet staring round her, there was a sudden silence, then an instantaneous turning of heads, and the next moment the wedding march of Mendelssohn rolled out its tumult of rich chords upon the scented air, as the bridal party slowly advanced up the grand aisle. First the four ushers, then six bride-maids, floating clouds of snowy silks and tulle, with the groomsmen, whose regu- lation black garments seemed only designed to act as foils, next the bride and groom. ‘“IT can't see her! Plague take that big knot of feathers in front !” cried Almira, in a stage whisper. ‘*‘ Move your head, ma'am, can’t you,” with a poke of her parasol-end at Mrs. Reginal Chevis, of Madison avenue, who occupied the obnox- ious position. That astonished lady drew herself slightly to one side; but too late; and it was not until the marriage ceremony was over that Mrs. Kempfield had a satisfactory glance. Her eyes, slowly traveling up the bride’s figure, and mentally estimating the value of everything she had on, as she glided gracefully down the aisle upon her husband's arm, had at length reached her face. ‘“Why !” she exclaimed, drawing a quick, short breath that was like a cry; ‘‘it's Gratia!” _ ‘‘Gratia !” echoed Mrs. Peabody, in surprise. ‘My step-daughter, Gratia, that ran away from home! It’s | she, herself, and no other! Well, well! wonders will never cease. And she is the bride that half New York is talking about—that is married to the rich Fifth avenue gentleman! My stars alive! I wish, now = But she stopped here. Wishes were of no particular avail at this stage of affairs as she was wise enough to know. - When at last they contrived to make their way out, crushed and jostled in the soft, aristocratic tumult of the crowd in which” (a(oyaniicel eveve) <S (elo) =