sketches of young couples(年轻夫妇素描)-第2节
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those who entertain them； happiness and lightness of heart are very easily
bestowed。
But the little housemaid is awakened from her reverie； for forth from
the door of the magical corner house there runs towards her； all fluttering
in smart new dress and streaming ribands； her friend Jane Adams； who
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comes all out of breath to redeem a solemn promise of taking her in； under
cover of the confusion； to see the breakfast table spread forth in state； and
… sight of sights！ … her young mistress ready dressed for church。
And there； in good truth； when they have stolen up…stairs on tip… toe
and edged themselves in at the chamber…door … there is Miss Emma
'looking like the sweetest picter；' in a white chip bonnet and orange
flowers； and all other elegancies becoming a bride； （with the make； shape；
and quality of every article of which the girl is perfectly familiar in one
moment； and never forgets to her dying day） … and there is Miss Emma's
mamma in tears； and Miss Emma's papa comforting her； and saying how
that of course she has been long looking forward to this； and how happy
she ought to be … and there too is Miss Emma's sister with her arms round
her neck； and the other bridesmaid all smiles and tears； quieting the
children； who would cry more but that they are so finely dressed； and yet
sob for fear sister Emma should be taken away … and it is all so affecting；
that the two servant…girls cry more than anybody； and Jane Adams； sitting
down upon the stairs； when they have crept away； declares that her legs
tremble so that she don't know what to do； and that she will say for Miss
Emma； that she never had a hasty word from her； and that she does hope
and pray she may be happy。
But Jane soon comes round again； and then surely there never was
anything like the breakfast table； glittering with plate and china； and set
out with flowers and sweets； and long…necked bottles； in the most
sumptuous and dazzling manner。 In the centre； too； is the mighty charm；
the cake； glistening with frosted sugar； and garnished beautifully。 They
agree that there ought to be a little Cupid under one of the barley…sugar
temples； or at least two hearts and an arrow； but； with this exception； there
is nothing to wish for； and a table could not be handsomer。 As they arrive
at this conclusion； who should come in but Mr。 John！ to whom Jane says
that its only Anne from number six； and John says HE knows； for he's
often winked his eye down the area； which causes Anne to blush and look
confused。 She is going away； indeed； when Mr。 John will have it that she
must drink a glass of wine； and he says never mind it's being early in the
morning； it won't hurt her： so they shut the door and pour out the wine；
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and Anne drinking lane's health； and adding； 'and here's wishing you yours；
Mr。 John；' drinks it in a great many sips； … Mr。 John all the time making
jokes appropriate to the occasion。 At last Mr。 John； who has waxed bolder
by degrees； pleads the usage at weddings； and claims the privilege of a
kiss； which he obtains after a great scuffle； and footsteps being now heard
on the stairs； they disperse suddenly。
By this time a carriage has driven up to convey the bride to church；
and Anne of number six prolonging the process of 'cleaning her door；' has
the satisfaction of beholding the bride and bridesmaids； and the papa and
mamma； hurry into the same and drive rapidly off。 Nor is this all； for soon
other carriages begin to arrive with a posse of company all beautifully
dressed； at whom she could stand and gaze for ever； but having something
else to do； is compelled to take one last long look and shut the street…door。
And now the company have gone down to breakfast； and tears have
given place to smiles； for all the corks are out of the long…necked bottles；
and their contents are disappearing rapidly。 Miss Emma's papa is at the top
of the table； Miss Emma's mamma at the bottom； and beside the latter are
Miss Emma herself and her husband； … admitted on all hands to be the
handsomest and most interesting young couple ever known。 All down both
sides of the table； too； are various young ladies； beautiful to see； and
various young gentlemen who seem to think so； and there； in a post of
honour； is an unmarried aunt of Miss Emma's； reported to possess
unheard…of riches； and to have expressed vast testamentary intentions
respecting her favourite niece and new nephew。 This lady has been very
liberal and generous already； as the jewels worn by the bride abundantly
testify； but that is nothing to what she means to do； or even to what she has
done； for she put herself in close communication with the dressmaker
three months ago； and prepared a wardrobe （with some articles worked by
her own hands） fit for a Princess。 People may call her an old maid； and so
she may be； but she is neither cross nor ugly for all that； on the contrary；
she is very cheerful and pleasant…looking； and very kind and tender…
hearted： which is no matter of surprise except to those who yield to
popular prejudices without thinking why； and will never grow wiser and
never know better。
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Of all the company though； none are more pleasant to behold or better
pleased with themselves than two young children； who； in honour of the
day； have seats among the guests。 Of these； one is a little fellow of six or
eight years old； brother to the bride； … and the other a girl of the same age；
or something younger； whom he calls 'his wife。' The real bride and
bridegroom are not more devoted than they： he all love and attention； and
she all blushes and fondness； toying with a little bouquet which he gave
her this morning； and placing the scattered rose…leaves in her bosom with
nature's own coquettishness。 They have dreamt of each other in their quiet
dreams； these children； and their little hearts have been nearly broken
when the absent one has been dispraised in jest。 When will there come in
after…life a passion so earnest； generous； and true as theirs； what； even in
its gentlest realities； can have the grace and charm that hover round such
fairy lovers！
By this time the merriment and happiness of the feast have gained
their height； certain ominous looks begin to be exchanged between the
bridesmaids； and somehow it gets whispered about that the carriage which
is to take the young couple into the country has arrived。 Such members of
the party as are most disposed to prolong its enjoyments； affect to consider
this a false alarm； but it turns out too true； being speedily confirmed； first
by the retirement of the bride and a select file of intimates who are to
prepare her for the journey； and secondly by the withdrawal of the ladies
generally。 To this there ensues a particularly awkward pause； in which
everybody essays to be facetious； and nobody succeeds； at length the
bridegroom makes a mysterious disappearance in obedience to some
equally mysterious signal； and the table is deserted。
Now； for at least six weeks last past it has been solemnly devised and
settled that the young couple should go away in secret； but they no sooner
appear without the door than the drawing…room windows are blocked up
with ladies waving their handkerchiefs and kissing their hands； and the
dining…room panes with gentlemen's faces beaming farewell in every
queer variety of its expression。 The hall and steps are crowded with
servants in white favours； mixed up with particular friends and relations
who have darted out to say good…bye； and foremost in the group are the
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tiny lovers arm in arm； thinking； with fluttering hearts； what happiness it
would be to dash away t
