"It was a large room, lighted, like our drawing-room, with a great chandelier, and furnished beautifully. _She_ and Cora were standing under the blaze of lights, all in a flutter of pride. It's no use, Miss Hyde: I've wanted to think that woman wasn't good-looking, but it's fighting against one's own eyes. There she stood, with that wedding-dress of white moire antique a-sweeping down her tall figure, and lying behind her like ridges of snow on the carpet. All down the front and around the neck, which was smooth as a japonica leaf, lace was fluttering, till the whole dress looked soft as snow. On her head she wore a sort of crown made of pearls like the mistress's necklace that she thought so much of, and from under that fell a lace veil that looked like frostwork on a window, and covered her from head to foot. "Cora was spreading down the veil as I looked in. Then she stepped back and had a good survey. "'Will it do?' said Mrs. Dennison, drawing herself up proud as a peacock. "'It's superb!' answered Cora. "'We will make it a little more perfect before he comes in,' says Babylon; and, going to a desk, she took out a long morocco case, and opened it under the light, when a flame of fire flashed out of it. "Cora took the box out of Babylon's hand. "'From him?' says she. "'Yes,' answers Babylon, curving her neck. "'How much did they cost?' "'Of course he did not tell me that, Cora. Ten or fifteen thousand dollars, I suppose; but they are nothing to what I'll yet have.' "'You will not wear them to-morrow?' "'Well, no. It would be a little too much, I fear; but we will put them on now, just to try the effect.' "'No,' says Cora, looking very stubborn; 'I want these. It's no more than fair.' "'Cora!' cried Babylon, with fire in her eyes. "'Why not?' says Cora. 'You have promised over and over again to provide for me when you had the means. Here is something sure.' "'Cora, this is too impudent!' "'Why? Is it wrong for sisters to share each other's good fortune, especially when one has done as much to earn it as the other?' "Babylon doubled up her white fist, and looked a whole thunder-gust from under her bent eyebrows. "'Sisters! How dare you?' "'Because I am your sister.' "'You! whose mother was a black slave!' "'And my father your father! What can you say against him?' "Babylon seemed to struggle against her temper, and got the better of it. "'Give me those diamonds, Cora. Of course I do not dispute what you say, and always meant to make you independent; but not after this fashion. Wait till this ceremony is over and I have control of sufficient means. You must see that it would be ruin to part with these.' "'I cannot help that. What security have I that you will keep your word when you are married? It never has been kept. The truth is, I mean to stay in this country, where my color is not sneered at, and I must have the means.' "'But have I not promised?'