Mrs.
Carbuncle spent her time busily between Lucinda's bedchamber and the
banqueting hall in Albemarle street. In spite of pecuniary difficulties
the trousseau was to be a wonder; and even Lizzie was astonished at the
jewelry which that indefatigable woman had collected together for a
preliminary show in Hertford Street. She had spent hours at Howell and
James's, and had made marvellous bargains there and elsewhere. Things were
sent for selection, of which the greater portion were to be returned, but
all were kept for the show. The same things which were shown to separate
friends in Hertford Street as part of the trousseau on Friday and Saturday
were carried over to Albemarle Street on the Sunday, so as to add to the
quasi-public exhibition of presents on the Monday. The money expended had
gone very far. The most had been made of a failing credit. Every particle
of friendly generosity had been so manipulated as to add to the external
magnificence. And Mrs. Carbuncle had done all this without any help from
Lucinda, in the midst of most contemptuous indifference on Lucinda's part.
She could hardly be got to allow the milliners to fit the dresses to her
body, and positively refused to thrust her feet into certain golden-heeled
boots with brightly-bronzed toes which were a great feature among the
raiment.
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