less she behaved very amiably to Lucy, who, when she pressed
her to wear one of her own pretty white dresses, and offered to lend
her any of her ornaments which she fancied, felt somewhat ashamed of
her own condemnatory feelings toward her cousin, since it is a very
natural tendency in all of us to make our own estimate of others
depend to a considerable extent upon their treatment of ourselves.

However, she adhered to her original determination of wearing the
simple India muslin, which had been her own dear mother's bridal dress
(its trimmings having been worked by her own hands), and all Stella's
representations that it was "old-fashioned" failed to produce any
effect. She would indeed have felt it treason to admit its inferiority
to any of her cousin's more stylish dresses. But, to please Stella,
she accepted the loan of a sash pressed upon her by her cousin, who
took a considerable amount of trouble in the arrangement of her
toilet, and in weaving, with innate skill, a graceful wreath of
delicate pink rosebuds and green leaves, which she fastened on Lucy's
dark hair, and pronounced the effect "charming," while Alick
complimented her on her skill. Lucy was conscious of looking better
than she had ever done before. It made her think just a little too
much about her appearance, and then she felt humbled at seeing in
herself the germ of the very feeling she had despised in her cousin.

The wedding arrangements were very quiet and simple. Lucy, who had
never been present on so important an occasion, enjoyed it very much,
notwithstanding her sorrow at parting with her teacher, whom she
thought the very ideal of a bride in her simple bridal dress. Its
simplicity, indeed, would probably have scandalized Stella, but Miss
Preston was not going to be rich, or mingle in gay society, and she
wisely thought show and finery quite out of place. But she had long
made it her chief aim to possess that best ornament of "a meek and
quiet spirit," which, we are told, "in the sight of God is of great
price."

Before her departure she took Lucy apart to say a few words of loving
counsel.

"I hope you will try to work for Christ, dear Lucy," she said, "as He
gives you opportunity. Remember, a Christian who does not work is only
half a Christian. Now I think if you tried, you might do Nelly Connor
some good. She wants a friend very much, and is easily won by
kindness."

"I should be glad to do anything I could," said Lucy; "but what w