e, with Mr. Benfield, for the city.

CHAPTER IV.

The white house was a scene of great activity as the wedding-day drew
near. Aunt Mary's services were put in requisition to a much greater
extent than usual. When she protested that she could do no more, Mrs.
Earl suggested that her niece would help her. Aunt Mary could not help
remarking that Eliza might have something else to do as well as Miss
Emily.

It was understood that a large number of guests were to be invited.

Many dresses were ordered in anticipation of an invitation. The
services of the village dress-maker were in great demand. Eliza
ordered a plain white dress--a very unnecessary expenditure, it was
thought, since it was certain that she would not receive an
invitation. It was a pity that she should thus prepare disappointment
for herself, poor thing!

Benfield and Mason arrived together on the appointed day. All things
were in order. The preparations were complete. The guests
assembled--the "big white house" was filled as it never had been
filled before. Suddenly there is a _hush_ in the crowd--the
folding-doors are thrown open--the bride and bride-groom are seen,
prepared for the ceremony that is to make them one--in law. The words
are spoken, the ceremony is performed, the oppressive silence is
removed--the noise and gayety common to such occasions take place.

After a time, it was noticed by some that the pastor, and Mason, and
Esq. Ralston had disappeared.

They repaired to Aunt Mary's, where a few tried friends had been
invited to pass the evening. These friends were sorry that Eliza had
not been invited to the wedding, but were pleased to find that she did
not seem to be disappointed--she was in such fine spirits. She wore
her new white dress, and a few roses in her hair.

The entrance of the pastor, Mr. Mason, and Mr. Ralston, seemed to
cause no surprise to Aunt Mary, though it astonished the assembled
guests. After a kind word from the pastor to each one present, for
they were all members of his flock, Mason arose, and taking Eliza by
the hand, said to him, "We are ready." Prayer was offered, the
wedding-vows were spoken, and George Mason and Eliza Austin were
pronounced husband and wife.

Joy seemed to have brushed away the clouds from Aunt Mary's mind. She
conversed with the intelligence of her better days. The guests
departed, and ere the lights were extinguished in the parlors of the
white house, it was known throughout the villa