It was of no use. Esther refused to be alarmed or even depressed. She sat smiling and complacent, her hands folded on her knee, her usually serious face softened into a radiance of contented happiness. Her state of illusion was such that, if any one had dared to hint that the professor might possibly mingle some trifling failing with his many virtues, she would have laughed the idea to scorn, and her companions realised as much, and made no further efforts to convince her. "It's no use talking!" Mellicent cried in scorn. "She thinks he is perfect, and that we are all too stupid and ignorant to appreciate him. It's the way all girls go on when they get engaged, and the only thing to do is to keep quiet, and let them find out their mistake. They are mad, poor dears, and don't know what they are doing. Let us talk about the wedding; that will be more interesting. I have simply ached to have a wedding in the family, and felt quite low because I thought mine would be the first, and I should be cheated out of the fun of being a bridesmaid and having all the fuss and excitement." "I am afraid you will have very little of that, Mill, as it is, for it will be very, very quiet. I should hate a fashionable wedding, and feel that it took away half the solemnity of the service to have one's thoughts taken up with dress and furbelows. Edward wants to be married very soon, in two months, if possible, for he says he has waited long enough for a home, and there is no reason for delay. We are quite sure of our own minds, and there will be no difficulty in finding another governess for the little boys; so, mother dear, we must try to be ready for a very quiet wedding by that time. I shall not need an elaborate trousseau, you know; just a few plain, useful dresses." Mellicent groaned, and threw up her hands in despair. "Oh dear, what a thing it is to be sensible! Just listen to her, Peggy, with her `few useful dresses.' I must say it's very hard on me, to have a sister who never takes my feelings into account. What is the good of having a wedding at all, if it isn't properly done with a choral service and bridesmaids and pretty frocks? I don't think you _could_ be so selfish, Esther, as to say I shall not be bridesmaid. I'd break my heart if you did. Just Peggy and me, and one or two of his relatives, and Rosalind Darcy, and the little boys as pages to hold up your train. They would look sweet as pages, and every one has them now.--It's quite the proper thing." But Esther laughed derisively at the very idea.