Still another, in which there was a pair of shining white satin boots, silken hose, and kid gloves, with a dainty handkerchief, fine and sheer as a cobweb.
Last, but not least, incased in several wrappings of soft white paper was the wedding-dress.
Virgie"s face paled and flushed many times while she was undoing this, for many hopes were centered in it, and tears rose unbidden to her eyes when at last it was laid out on the bed before her.
She had seen nothing one-half so lovely for years--not since she used to watch her mother dress for gay receptions and parties in the happy days so long ago.
It was of the finest India mull, very simply yet beautifully made, over an underskirt of plain white silk--an airy, gauzy thing, just suited for a youthful bride.
"How kind! how thoughtful!" the young girl breathed, as her glance ran over the different articles comprising her toilet. "He has not forgotten a single thing, and it is all so delicate and beautiful. This wreath of heath--how suggestive! and nothing could be prettier.
"Oh papa! I am glad you will have your wish, for it may be the very last one that can be gratified," she concluded, with a long sigh.
Had it not been for her father"s condition, she would have been supremely happy on that bright morning. Even as it was, her heart was overflowing with love and grat.i.tude toward her devoted lover for his kind consideration and generosity.
She went below at her usual hour to attend to her regular duties, which she performed in her customary quiet way, helping her father to rise and dress, arranging the rooms in the nicest order, and then serving breakfast to the invalid and their reverend guest.
Sir William was nowhere visible. He had spent the night with Mr. Abbot, and when morning broke he went away to his own cabin, where he remained until the hour for the ceremony.
The house was very quiet; there was no excitment, no bustle. Chi Lu alone betrayed any consciousness that an unusual event was to take place, and this only by a slight nervousness of manner and the restless flash of his dusky eyes.
After breakfast Virgie saw that her father was made comfortable in his reclining-chair in the parlor, and then giving him one last, lingering kiss, she turned to go up to her chamber to dress for her bridal.
Just then there came a knock on the outer door. Chi Lu was called to answer it, and he brought to Virgie a huge basket laden with the loveliest of mountain ferns and flowers, the dew still glistening upon them.
They were the offering of some of the miners "for Miss Abbot"s wedding,"
the boy who brought them said.
It had become known in some way that Mr. Abbot was failing rapidly, and had requested that his daughter might be married before his death.
He was much respected in the hamlet, for he had always been the courteous gentleman, while Virgie was regarded almost in the light of a young princess, and thus these humble people were prompted to show their sympathy and good will in this delicate manner.
The young bride-elect was touched to the heart by this tribute, and with her own hands arranged the lovely flowers to furnish the room where she was to be married.
Then she went up stairs, and was seen no more until the hour set for the ceremony, which was eleven o"clock.
Meanwhile Chi Lu and an elderly woman, who had once been very kind to Virgie when she was ill, and had been asked to "come and help for the day," were very busily engaged in the small kitchen, arranging a repast which was to be served later in the day.
Sir William was determined that the occasion should be made as cheerful as circ.u.mstances would allow, and had ordered from the city every delicacy which his fertile brain could suggest, and thus a "wedding breakfast,"
such as had never been known in that region before, was in process of preparation.
At eleven o"clock the happy groom made his appearance and sent Margery Follet, the woman before mentioned, to Virgie"s door to say that he was ready and awaiting her.
To her tap Virgie gently responded "come in," and a low cry of delight escaped the humble woman"s lips as she opened the door, and then stood transfixed upon the threshold.
Virgie turned a smiling face to her. "Why, Margery, how came you here?"
she asked.
"The gent sent for me to come and help."
"That was thoughtful in him, and it was kind of you to come," Virgie returned, graciously.
"It"s a boon to me, miss. You look like an angel, and I shall never forget this day," said the woman, regarding her almost with reverence.
Virgie felt all the happier for being able to contribute this pleasure to one so unused to pleasure of any kind, and she increased it tenfold by asking her to a.s.sist her in fastening the last b.u.t.ton of one of her gloves.
"Yes, I"m ready," Virgie replied, as, with a vivid, conscious flush, she turned away, after one last look in her mirror, and truly she was a vision to cheer the heart of the fondest bridegroom.
Her dress proved to be a perfect fit, and the delicate fabric fell in soft, graceful folds over the l.u.s.trous white of her silken skirt, while she was covered from head to foot by the mist-like veil.
The wreath of heath lay lightly upon her brown head, and, with the beautiful bouquet upon her breast, made a pleasing contrast with the otherwise spotless costume.
Her figure looked almost regal in her trailing robe, and she was simply perfect from crown to sole.
"Yes," she repeated, as the woman seemed unable to take her eyes from her, "you may tell Mr. Heath that I am ready," and as Margery went out, she bowed her head in prayer for a blessing on her new life.
The next moment she heard Sir William"s step on the stairs, and she went out to meet him.
How his face lighted as he looked upon her! How his heart throbbed with exultation as he thought:
"This peerless girl is mine! Heathdale has never known a mistress so fair!"
He was clad, as became a gentleman, in a dress suit of simple black, fine and rich, a single diamond of purest water gleaming just beneath his white satin tie, and his hands were incased in spotless gloves.
"My darling," he whispered, as he took Virgie"s right hand and laid it on his arm, "how beautiful you are!"
She could not make him any reply--the moment was too solemn for words--but she lifted her eyes to his for an instant, and they were filled with love and trust.
Then they went below.
Very quietly they took their places in the little parlor, where the clergyman awaited them, and where Mr. Abbot, after one surprised, delighted glance at his daughter, lay back in his chair, with a smile of supreme content upon his lips.
He understood at once who had so delicately and so fittingly arranged everything for the fair bride, and it was such a comfort to him to have Virgie properly arrayed for her marriage.
Chi Lu and Margery stood one on either side of the door, just inside the room, according to Sir William"s desire, for there must be witnesses, and thus the group was complete.
Rev. Dr. Thornton approached the young couple, and in an easy and impressive, yet graceful manner, performed the marriage service, and those few moments were very solemn ones to three at least of those present. But the ceremony was soon over, and the maiden was now a wife--Virgie Abbot had become Virginia, Lady Heath.
Sir William had not, however, allowed his t.i.tle to be used, as he shrank from the notoriety which the knowledge of his position and wealth would create among the settlers of that region. He had come there in an unpretentious way, and he wished to leave as quietly. There would be time enough, he thought, to resume his honors when he and his bride should go out into the world.
When the benediction had been p.r.o.nounced over the clasped hands of the husband and wife, Dr. Thornton offered his congratulations, and then Sir William led Virgie directly to her father.
She sank upon her knees beside his chair, and putting her arms around his neck, gave and received a tender caress.
"G.o.d bless you always, my daughter!" the sick man murmured, in trembling tones. "I believe I am guilty of no irreverence in invoking His blessing,"
he added, "for I have learned to feel my need of faith in Him, and, Virgie, your husband has taught me how to seek it."
The young bride could only press her lips again to his in reply. She was very grateful for this confession, for her father"s previous skepticism and bitterness had often caused her much sorrow.