The Argosy — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

70 My Cousin Caroline's Wedding. Lina came running down the steps when I leaped out of the chaise. They had tried hard to prop her up with a little of their own form and stateliness, but it would not do. The tears stood in her large blue eyes as I kissed her cheek, fair and pure asever. Aunt and Caroline had remained in the drawing-room ; the former could not, and the latter would not have leaped down the house steps for the world. Mrs. Dash- ingly was very cordial; she actually gave me what she called a kiss— a slight click of the lips a foot off my face. Caroline was exceedingly gracious and dignified, in nght of her exalted position as bride-elect. ‘‘ Were you surprised at my summons, Ned?” demanded Mrs. Dash- ingly, when I returned to the drawing-room, after shaking off some of the travelling dust. ‘‘ A little, aunt. I am not yet acquainted with the cause of it.” ‘<’'You shall hear,” cried my aunt, her turban standing on end with the dignity of the announcement she had in store for me, whilst Caro- line’s pink train rustled out like a vain peacock’s. ‘The event of a marriage in the family, Edward, does not occur every day. I am about to part with my daughter, and I thought that the pleasure of being at the ceremony, with a week's holiday from the smoky Temple, would be very gratifying to you.” Very gratifying, indeed! When, some months ago, I had been dying for her myself: and was still, for all aunt knew. ‘¢ And so I am to congratulate Caroline upon becoming Mrs. ——” ‘Captain Fitzhenry, of the 47th,” brdied aunt; “of good family and immense fortune. The marriage is fixed for Tuesday next. Lina’s to be bridesmaid.” ‘“ And when will it be your turn, Lina darling? ” I said, bending over her; at which she blushed so very deeply that, well, I thought it could not be far off. ‘‘'There’s no hurry about Lina,” interrupted the old lady, shortly. ‘‘T,et us get Caroline’s wedding over first.” ‘“‘ Now, Lina, how does it all go on with you?” I inquired, drawing her into my room for an instant, when I went up to dress. ‘ And what mean these tears ?” I exclaimed, as she sat down and fairly broke into impassioned sobs.’ “ Lina, Lina, my sister,” I indignantly uttered, “JT can see they have been making you wretched !” “Yes,” she said, scarcely able to speak, ‘‘ ever since I came, now twelve months ago. I have been fearful—I declare to you, Edward, I have been actually fearful that my aunt would marry meto Alfred by main force : and I am sure, if we lived in less enlightened times, when such things were not unheard of, it would have been done.” ‘‘Where’s Alfred now?” ‘Oh, he has been away some months. He got angry and cross with me, for I held out against their plans—though my courage was nearly failing me. And my aunt wants me to change my religion; she and (GO MINICOOOKS (C(O) in —_)