e had felt
sure it was the very thing.

The other ladies were sufficiently impressed with the number and
splendour of Elinor's gowns. Mrs. Dennistoun explained, with a humility
which was not, I fear, untinctured by pride, that both number and
variety were rendered necessary by the fact that Elinor was going upon a
series of visits among her future husband's great relations, and would
have to be much in society and among fine people who dressed very much,
and would expect a great deal from a bride. "Of course, in ordinary
circumstances the half of them would have been enough: for I don't
approve of too many dresses."

"They get old-fashioned," said Mrs. Hudson, gravely, "before they are
half worn out."

"And to do them up again is quite as expensive as getting new ones, and
not so satisfactory," said the Miss Hills.

The proud mother allowed both of these drawbacks, "But what could I do?"
she said. "I cannot have my child go away into such a different sphere
unprovided. It is a sacrifice, but we had to make it. I wish," she said,
looking round to see that Elinor was out of hearing, "it was the only
sacrifice that had to be made."

"Let us hope," said the Rector's wife, solemnly, "that it will all turn
out for the best."

"It will do that however it turns out," said Miss Dale, who was even
more serious than it was incumbent on a member of a clerical household
to be, "for we all know that troubles are sent for our advantage as well
as blessings, and poor dear Elinor may require much discipline----"

"Oh, goodness, don't talk as if the poor child was going to be
executed," said Susan Hill.

"I am not at all alarmed," said Mrs. Dennistoun. It was unwise of her
to have left an opening for any such remark. "My Elinor has always been
surrounded by love wherever she has been. Her future husband's family
are already very fond of her. I am not at all alarmed on Elinor's
account."

She laid the covering wrapper over the dresses with an air of pride and
confidence which was remembered long afterwards--as the pride that goeth
before a fall by some, but by others with more sympathy, who guessed the
secret workings of the mother's heart.

CHAPTER VIII.

Time went on quickly enough amid all these preparations and the little
attendant excitements of letters, congratulations, and presents which
came in on every side. Elinor complained mildly of the fuss, but it was
a new and far from unpleasant experience. She liked