"Do not tease her, Georgie--stand back and give her air--see, she is about to faint!" exclaimed her father, a little shortly. The bride stepped back with a murmur of discontent. She thought it exceedingly rude in her father to snub the prospective Lady Valentine. "Oh! for mercy's sake, Queenie," exclaimed Mrs. Lyle, rushing forward with a bottle of _eau de cologne_, "don't give way to hysterical fancies now when it is almost time for the ceremony to begin! You saw nothing at the window but the moonlight; come, come, compose yourself! Your toilet will be totally disarranged!" She fell to work bathing the limp, nerveless hands and cold brow of the girl, while Sydney and Georgina stood coldly aloof--the bride because she was afraid of ruffling her delicate plumage, and Sydney because she would not have lifted a finger to save Queenie if she had lain dying before her. In the midst of the tumult the maid rushed in. "Oh! Mrs. Lyle," she exclaimed, "the company is arriving. Mrs. Preston's carriage is at the door, and Mrs. Alden's and Mrs. Howe's." "Oh! dear," exclaimed Mrs. Lyle, "was there ever such a _contre temps_? Not a soul in the drawing-room to receive them! Sydney, you must go down, I cannot leave Queenie in this state." Sydney curled her lip in a disdainful smile and went. The marriage was to take place at home, and the drawing-room was profusely decorated with flowers. A beautiful arch of white flowers was arranged where the bridal couples were to stand, and wreaths and bouquets were variously disposed about the room. Sydney in the white heat of anger that filled her heart felt sick and faint as the overpowering fragrance pervaded her senses. Yet she had to stand up and receive the guests and smile and talk as if it were the happiest evening she had ever known. She had refused to become one of the bridesmaids, so when the bridal party with their long string of lovely attendants entered the room and stood before the bishop, she drew back into an obscure corner that no one might see the jealous pain and hatred in her heart disfiguring her handsome face. Georgina was married first, taking precedence of Queenie by virtue of her own four years seniority, and her betrothed's superior rank. Then the newly-wedded couple stepped quietly back, and Captain Ernscliffe and his radiantly-beautiful bride took their place; the solemn words were spoken, the ring slipped over her slim finger, and they turned to receive the congratulations of their friends. One of the servants came bowing and smiling into the group carrying a magnificent bouquet of white flowers. "For Mrs. Ernscliffe," he said, presenting it, "with the compliments of a friend." She took it into her white hand with a faint smile. "It is rarely beautiful," she said, and lifted it to her face and inhaled the strong, sweet odor of the costly flowers.