“Yes, they might. Anyhow, I’ll give you till to-morrow night. I’ll be here at”--she paused a moment--“at six o’clock.” “My answer will still be the same,” he said, quietly. “But take the time, and reflect yourself; reflect well and wisely. I am immovable. But you know that.” “You’ll sing a different tune to-morrow,” she said, threateningly; and she walked toward the gate. He held the lamp to light her and opened the gate courteously. “Wait,” he said. “Do you want money?” She glanced at him, then kicked at a stone sulkily. “I always want money,” she retorted. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a leather _portemonnaie_. “Take this,” he said. “Do not look upon it as a bribe, please.” She snatched it from his hand with an oath, and her black eyes glittered with mingled covetousness and anger. “I could have every penny you possess, if I liked,” she exclaimed, “and I will if--but wait till to-morrow,” and, with a threatening gesture, she swept past him. CHAPTER XXII. AT THE ALTAR. The morning broke as brightly as even the most superstitious of brides could desire. Annie and Mary knocked softly at Olivia’s door as the first bell rang, and Olivia opened the door herself, fully dressed in her plain morning-frock. “Why, dear,” they exclaimed, “up already, and dressed, too! We were afraid we should wake you.” “I have been up some time,” said Olivia. She did not add that she had lain awake all night listening to the hours as they chimed, and thinking how hideously unlike wedding bells they sounded. “Isn’t it a lovely morning!” said Annie. “I am so glad, you can’t tell, dear. I should have hated it to be wet. Don’t you look rather pale this morning, or is it my fancy, Olly, dear?” “Am I pale?” said Olivia, glancing at her white face in the glass. “But it is quite correct, is it not? Brides should be pale, shouldn’t they?” and she smiled. The two light-hearted girls looked at her with a slightly puzzled stare. The change that had come over the subject of their worship bewildered and troubled them; but they were as far from understanding it as they could well be. “Everybody is up early to-day,” said Mary. “The whole house is on the move. Oh, dear, I begin to feel quite nervous. Is there anything we can do, dearest? Perhaps you would like to try your dress on again,” coaxingly. Olivia shook her head with another forced smile. “I think not, Mary, dear. I’m afraid we are all rather tired of trying on the wedding garment.” “Oh, no, indeed we’re not!” they exclaimed in chorus. “We like it. You can’t tell how lovely you look in it, Olivia. I should like all the world to see you,” said Annie, with a pensive sigh. “I wish I were a man and Mr. Bradstone.” “I wish you were!” said Olivia, absently. The girls laughed.