carriages, and clothes, not extravagantly as her mother would have
done, not in deference to sterner dictates of the latest fashion as her
aunt would have done, with none of the girlish glee in new purchases
which Beatrice would have felt, but with sound judgment. She bought
things that were rich, for her husband was to be rich, and she meant to
avail herself of his wealth; she bought things that were fashionable,
for she meant to live in the fashionable world; but she bought what was
good, and strong, and lasting, and worth its money.

Augusta Gresham had perceived early in life that she could not obtain
success either as an heiress, or as a beauty, nor could she shine as a
wit; she therefore fell back on such qualities as she had, and
determined to win the world as a strong-minded, useful woman. That
which she had of her own was blood; having that, she would in all ways
do what in her lay to enhance its value. Had she not possessed it, it
would to her mind have been the vainest of pretences.

When Mary came in, the wedding preparations were being discussed. The
number and names of the bridesmaids were being settled, the dresses
were on the tapis, the invitations to be given were talked over.
Sensible as Augusta was, she was not above such feminine cares; she
was, indeed, rather anxious that the wedding should go off well. She
was a little ashamed of her tailor's son, and therefore anxious that
things should be as brilliant as possible.

The bridesmaid's names had just been written on a card as Mary entered
the room. There were the Ladies Amelia, Rosina, Margaretta, and
Alexandrina of course at the head of it; then came Beatrice and the
twins; then Miss Oriel, who, though only a parson's sister, was a
person of note, birth and fortune. After this there had been here a