favoured niece, and assisted with counsel on her
_trousseau_. The savings she had made during the long years of her
engagement were enough to fit her out sufficiently to feel that she was
bringing her own wardrobe, and Lady Kenton actually went to London with
her to superintend the outlay.

'Whom would they like to have asked to the wedding?' the lady inquired,
herself naming the Langs and Burfords. 'Of course,' she added, smiling,
'Freda and Alice will be only too happy to be bridesmaids. Have you any
one whom you would wish to ask? Your old scholars perhaps.'

'I think,' said Mary, hesitating, 'that one reason why we think we ought
to decline your kindness was--about _his_ relations.'

Lady Kenton had given full license to the propriety of calling _him_
Frank with intimate friends, but Mary always had a shyness about it.

'Indeed, I should make no question about asking them, if I had not
doubted whether, after what passed--'

'That is all forgotten,' said Mary gently. 'I have had quite a nice
letter since, and--'

'Of course they must be asked,' said Lady Kenton; 'I should have proposed
it before, but for that scene.'

'That is nothing,' said Mary; 'the doubt is whether, considering the
style of people, it would not be better for us to manage it otherwise,
and not let you be troubled.'

'Oh, that's nothing! On such an occasion there's no fear of their not
behaving like the rest of the world. There are girls, I think; they
should be bridesmaids.'

This very real kindness overcame all scruples, and indeed a great deal
might be forgiven to Miss Marshall in consideration of the glory of
telling all Westhaven of the invitation to be present 'at my brother Lord
Northmoor's wedding, at Sir Edward Kenton's, Baronet.' He gave the
dresses, not only the bridesmaids' white and cerise (Freda's choice), but
the chocolate moire which for a minute Mrs. Morton fancied 'the little
spiteful cat' had chosen on purpose to suppress her, till assured by all
qualified beholders, especially Mrs. Rollstone and a dressmaker friend,
that in nothing else would she have looked so entirely quite the lady.

And Lady Kenton's augury was fulfilled. The whole family were subdued
enough by their surroundings to comport themselves quite well enough to
pass muster.

CHAPTER XI
POSSESSION

So Francis Morton, Baron Northmoor of Northmoor, and Mary Marshall,
daughter of the late Reverend John Marshall, were man and wife at las