be the
great event of the day.

The ladies began their toilets soon after breakfast and were not seen
again until about to enter the carriages which were to carry them to The
Oaks; this time Keith had not even the pleasure of being in the same
vehicle with Lucilla.

Then, arrived at their destination, the young girls vanished from his
sight, going into the dressing room appointed for their use in robing
themselves for the ceremony.

Lucilla and Grace were to be bridesmaids,--Laura Howard, also,--and
Sydney maid of honour.

Only a few minutes before their arrival Dick had been admitted to the
room where his bride sat arrayed in her wedding attire--the beautiful
dress and veil provided by the kindness of her Cousin Elsie.

"Oh, my darling!" he exclaimed in astonishment, "how lovely you are and
how beautifully dressed. This is not the dress you spoke of
wearing,--this rich white satin,--and the veil. Why, Rosie's own were
not handsomer!"

"No, I think not," said Maud, smiling at his pleasure. "They are dear
Cousin Elsie's own wedding garments, kindly lent to me because I had no
time to procure such for myself; and I was willing--yes, very glad to
borrow them, because they are so lovely and becoming, and because, you
know, it is said to be good luck to have something old to wear, as well
as something new. I hope my bridegroom approves?"

"He could not do anything else, seeing how lovely his bride looks in
them," Dick replied, putting an arm about her and holding her close with
more than one tender caress. Then, holding her off a little for another
and closer inspection, "Oh, Maud, darling, how lovely you are!" he
exclaimed. "I feel a rich and happy man to think you are all my own, my
very own. Dearest, it shall not be my fault if you do not find yourself
a happy woman in the sweet, new home to which I am about to take you."

"Dick, dear Dick, I do not doubt that I shall be happy," she said
softly, lifting to his eyes that were full of happy tears; "if I am not,
I am sure it will be no fault of yours."

But footsteps were heard approaching and he took his arm from her waist
and stood beside her with her hand in his.

The door opened and the bridesmaids and groomsmen filed in. Then there
were exclamations of surprise and delight.

"Oh, Maud, how lovely! how lovely! When and where did you get that
beautiful dress and veil? We all thought you were to be married in your
bridesmaid dress that you wore at Rosie's we