'You will not require to buy much, auntie; the gray moire and white lace shawl, which you only wore once at the Warmans' _fête_, will do beautifully with a new bonnet. But I of course must be new from head to foot--white and blue--I suppose. The best plan will be to write to Miss Jefferies and give her a _carte blanche_ to send everything that is right; for we do not mind a little extra expense for such an occasion; do we, auntie?'
'No, dear, no; of course not. But you have not asked what Mary has chosen.'
'Oh, that will be white of course.--When is your dress coming down, Mary? I must see that it is becomingly made; you know you are so careless about such matters.'
I made some remark to the effect that wedding dresses and wedding paraphernalia in general did not sufficiently interest me to seem worth the time and trouble they cost.
But Lilian was not to be repressed, returning again and again to the one topic.
'And you must not forget that you promised to let auntie and me take the management of Hill Side during your absence, and see that all your plans are being properly carried out. Nancy is to go there at once, I suppose? Philip says that the oak furniture for the library will not be ready for a couple of months, on account of the firm having so many orders for the pattern you chose. And, recollect, Mary, I am to have the pleasure of choosing _everything_ for your own little cosy; I know your taste so well that I am sure I shall please you, and you are not to see it until it is finished.'
All I could do was to try to give them the impression, without saying so much in words, that I was not so much interested in the question as might have been expected. I saw that it would not do to venture far, with Mrs Tipper's eyes turned so watchfully and anxiously upon me.
My hardest trial was the unexpected arrival of Philip soon after breakfast was over. Whether he had come down only to fetch the papers, or whether it was in consequence of what had passed between himself and Robert Wentworth, I know not, but he availed himself of the opportunity to tell Mrs Tipper that I had consented that our marriage should take place the following week.
At his first words I took the precaution of seating myself at the piano with my back towards them, running the fingers of my one hand over the notes, with a demonstration of trying the air of a new song which he had added to our collection. Then with my fingers on the keys, I stopped a moment--quite naturally, I flattered myself--to throw him a few words over my shoulder.