The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Three Brides, by Charlotte M. Yonge

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: The Three Brides

Author: Charlotte M. Yonge

Release Date: June 1, 2004 [eBook #12485]

Language: English

Character set encoding: US-ASCII

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE BRIDES***

Transcribed by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk

THE THREE BRIDES

CHAPTER I
The Model And Her Copies

There is sure another Flood toward, that so many couples are
coming to the Ark.--As You Like It

"Ah! it is a pitiable case!"

"What case, boys?"

"Yours, mother, with such an influx of daughters-in-law."

"I suspect the daughters-in-law think themselves more to be pitied."

"As too many suns in one sphere."

"As daughters-in-law at all."

"There's a ready cure for that. Eh, Charlie?"

"The sight of the mother-in-law."

"Safe up on the shelf? Ha, you flattering boys!"

"Well, each of the three bridegrooms has severally told us that his
bride was a strong likeness of the mother, so she will have the
advantage of three mirrors!"

"Ay, and each married solely for her benefit. I wonder which is the
truest!"

"Come, Baby Charles, don't _you_ take to being cynical and
satirical," said the mother. "It would be more to the purpose to
consider of the bringing them home. Let me see, Raymond and his
Cecil will be at Holford's Gate at 5.30. They must have the
carriage in full state. I suppose Brewer knows."

"Trust the ringers for scenting it out."

"Julius and Rosamond by the down train at Willansborough, at 4.50.
One of you must drive old Snapdragon in the van for them. They will
not mind when they understand; but there's that poor wife of
Miles's, I wish she could have come a few days earlier. Her friend,
Mrs. Johnson, is to drop her by the express at Backsworth, at 3.30."

"Inconvenient woman!"

"I imagine that she cannot help it; Mrs. Johnson is going far north,
and was very good in staying with her at Southampton till she could
move. Poor little thing! alone in a strange country! I'll tell you
what! One of you must run down by train, meet her, and either bring
her home in a fly, or wait to be picked up by Raymond's train