| 786 | 787 | 788 | 789 | 790 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
|
well acquainted with his possessions and prospects. His account of
both was quite satisfactory to Wardle - as almost any other account
would have been, for the good old gentleman was overflowing with
Hilarity and kindness - and a handsome portion having been
bestowed upon Emily, the marriage was fixed to take place on the
fourth day from that time - the suddenness of which preparations
reduced three dressmakers and a tailor to the extreme verge of
insanity.
Getting post-horses to the carriage, old Wardle started off, next day, to
bring his mother back to town. Communicating his intelligence to the
old lady with characteristic impetuosity, she instantly fainted away;
but being promptly revived, ordered the brocaded silk gown to be
packed up forthwith, and proceeded to relate some circumstances of a
similar nature attending the marriage of the eldest daughter of Lady
Tollimglower, deceased, which occupied three hours in the recital, and
were not half finished at last.
Mrs. Trundle had to be informed of all the mighty preparations that
were making in London; and, being in a delicate state of health, was
informed thereof through Mr Trundle, lest the news should be too
much for her; but it was not too much for her, inasmuch as she at
once wrote off to Muggleton, to order a new cap and a black satin
gown, and moreover avowed her determination of being present at the
ceremony. Hereupon, Mr Trundle called in the doctor, and the doctor
said Mrs. Trundle ought to know best how she felt herself, to which
Mrs. Trundle replied that she felt herself quite equal to it, and that
she had made up her mind to go; upon which the doctor, who was a
wise and discreet doctor, and knew what was good for himself, as well
as for other people, said that perhaps if Mrs. Trundle stopped at
home, she might hurt herself more by fretting, than by going, so
perhaps she had better go. And she did go; the doctor with great
attention sending in half a dozen of medicine, to be drunk upon the
road.
In addition to these points of distraction, Wardle was intrusted with
two small letters to two small young ladies who were to act as
bridesmaids; upon the receipt of which, the two young ladies were
driven to despair by having no 'things' ready for so important an
occasion, and no time to make them in - a circumstance which
appeared to afford the two worthy papas of the two small young ladies
rather a feeling of satisfaction than otherwise. However, old frocks
were trimmed, and new bonnets made, and the young ladies looked as
well as could possibly have been expected of them. And as they cried
at the subsequent ceremony in the proper places, and trembled at the
right times, they acquitted themselves to the admiration of all
beholders. How the two poor relations ever reached London - whether
they walked, or got behind coaches, or procured lifts in wagons, or
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