She found Lucinda up
and dressed, but so dressed certainly to show no preparation for a wedding
toilet. She had on an ordinary stuff morning frock, and her hair was close
tucked up and pinned as it might have been had she already prepared
herself for a journey. But what astonished Mrs. Carbuncle more than the
dress was the girl's manner. She was sitting at a table with a book before
her, which was afterwards found to be the Bible, and she never turned her
head as her aunt entered the room.
"What, up already," said Mrs. Carbuncle, "and dressed?"
"Yes; I am up, and dressed. I have been up ever so long. How was I to lie
in bed on such a morning as this? Aunt Jane, I wish you to know as soon as
possible that no earthly consideration will induce me to leave this room
to-day."
"What nonsense, Lucinda!"
"Very well; all the same you might as well believe me. I want you to send
to Mr. Emilius, and to those girls, and to the man. And you had better get
Lord George to let the other people know. I'm quite in earnest."
And she was in earnest, quite in earnest, though there was a flightiness
about her manner which induced Mrs.
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