19. CHAPTER XIX.
AN OLD FASHIONED WEDDING.
The time would fail us to enumerate the multiplied
works of charity in which Lucy Blakeney engaged
herself. She was not content with occasionally
visiting the poor and administering to their
more urgent wants; but she made the true economy
of benevolence her study. Her knowledge, her
taste, her wealth, were all rendered subservient to
the great cause. Without officiously intermeddling
with the charities of others, she became a bright example
to them. Her well timed assistance was a
stimulus and an encouragement to the industrious
poor, and her silent and steady perseverance was a
strong appeal to the better feelings of the rich. She
received the blessing of him that was ready to perish,
and the unheard praise and unsolicited imitation of
those who had abundance of wealth and influence.
As the nuptials of her friend Aura Melville approached,
her attention was directed to the proper
mode of honouring that event, and at the same time
rendering it memorable among those who had long
regarded both these young persons as the joint guardians
of their happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews
and Mrs. Cavendish too, were all for having the
marriage celebrated after the fashion of the good old
times when the poor not only looked up to the
gentry for protection and friendship, but took a
lively interest in their domestic affairs, were depressed
at their misfortunes, and proud and happy in the
fame and happiness of their patrons.
Nor was Edward Ainslie backward in promoting
this design. Accordingly the preparations for the
marriage were made with a view to interest and
gratify rather than to dazzle the guests. The bridal
array was rather plain than sumptuous, the carriages
and horses of Edward and his family, were decked
with ribbons, and the church ornamented with flowers
and evergreens, prepared by the pupils of Lucy's
establishment, who also walked in procession and
had their dance upon the green, to the music of
the pipe and tabor. The villagers crowded the
church to witness the ceremony, and repaired to
the Rectory to partake of the bride cake, while the
poor who had been invited to celebrate Lucy's birth
day, found an entertainment not less substantial and
exhilarating than the former one, prepared for them
at her friend's wedding.
A long summer's day was spent in the festivities of
this happy occasion, and when late in the evening
the full moon was seen rising behind the church
tower and shedding his quiet lustre over hill and
valley, streamlet and grove, the music was still
sounding, and the merry laugh of the light hearted
guests was heard in parlour and hall.
None seemed to enjoy the day more deeply and
feelingly than Lucy. She had learned the great
secret of woman's happiness, to enjoy the happiness
of others. Selfish gratification was no concern of
hers. She had entered into the previous arrangements
with all her heart, and as her object had been
not to lay her friends under heavy obligations and
astonish the guests by show and parade, but to promote
the real and heartfelt pleasure of all concerned,
she succeeded; and none derived more satisfaction
from partaking of this festival of true joy than she
did from its preparation.
When, on the following morning, Edward and
his bride set off for the North, she with the rest of
the family bade them a tender adieu, and returned
to her usual benevolent occupations with that tranquil
and calm spirit, that firm reliance on the Righteous
Disposer of all things, which, in every situation
of life, is indeed the pearl of inestimable value.
