Her
last proceeding was to push the empty boxes into the middle of the room,
and to compare the space at her disposal with the articles of dress
which she had to pack. She completed her preliminary calculations
with the ready self-reliance of a woman who thoroughly understood her
business, and began the packing forthwith. Just as she had placed the
first article of linen in the smaller box, the door of the room opened,
and the house-servant, eager for gossip, came in.
"What do you want?" asked Louisa, quietly.
"Did you ever hear of anything like this!" said the house-servant,
entering on her subject immediately.
"Like what?"
"Like this marriage, to be sure. You're London bred, they tell me. Did
you ever hear of a young lady being married without a single new thing
to her back? No wedding veil, and no wedding breakfast, and no wedding
favors for the servants. It's flying in the face of Providence--that's
what I say. I'm only a poor servant, I know. But it's wicked, downright
wicked--and I don't care who hears me!"
Louisa went on with the packing.
"Look at her dresses!" persisted the house-servant, waving her hand
indignantly at the bed.
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