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terrace。 The pastry…cook's people have been there half…a…dozen times
already； all day yesterday there was a great stir and bustle； and they were
up this morning as soon as it was light。 Miss Emma Fielding is going to be
married to young Mr。 Harvey。
Heaven alone can tell in what bright colours this marriage is painted
upon the mind of the little housemaid at number six； who has hardly slept
a wink all night with thinking of it； and now stands on the unswept door…
steps leaning upon her broom； and looking wistfully towards the
enchanted house。 Nothing short of omniscience can divine what visions of
the baker； or the green… grocer； or the smart and most insinuating
butterman； are flitting across her mind … what thoughts of how she would
dress on such an occasion； if she were a lady … of how she would dress； if
she were only a bride … of how cook would dress； being bridesmaid；
conjointly with her sister 'in place' at Fulham； and how the clergyman；
deeming them so many ladies； would be quite humbled and respectful。
What day…dreams of hope and happiness … of life being one perpetual
holiday； with no master and no mistress to grant or withhold it … of every
Sunday being a Sunday out … of pure freedom as to curls and ringlets； and
no obligation to hide fine heads of hair in caps … what pictures of
happiness； vast and immense to her； but utterly ridiculous to us； bewilder
the brain of the little housemaid at number six； all called into existence by
the wedding at the corner！
We smile at such things； and so we should； though perhaps for a better
reason than commonly presents itself。 It should be pleasant to us to know
that there are notions of happiness so moderate and limited； since upon
those who entertain them； happiness and lightness of heart are very easily
bestowed。
But the little housemaid is awakened from her reverie； for forth from
the door of the magical corner house there runs towards her； all fluttering
in smart new dress and streaming ribands； her friend Jane Adams； who
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comes all out of breath to redeem a solemn promise of taking her in； under
cover of the confusion； to see the breakfast table spread forth in state； and
… sight of sights！ … her young mistress ready dressed for church。
And there； in good truth； when they have stolen up…stairs on tip… toe
and edged themselves in at the chamber…door … there is Miss Emma
'looking like the sweetest picter；' in a white chip bonnet and orange
flowers； and all other elegancies becoming a bride； （with the make； shape；
and quality of every article of which the girl is perfectly familiar in one
moment； and never forgets to her dying day） … and there is Miss Emma's
mamma in tears； and Miss Emma's papa comforting her； and saying how
that of course she has been long looking forward to this； and how happy
she ought to be … and there too is Miss Emma's sister with her arms round
her neck； and the other bridesmaid all smiles and tears； quieting the
children； who would cry more but that they are so finely dressed； and yet
sob for fear sister Emma should be taken away … and it is all so affecting；
that the two servant…girls cry more than anybody； and Jane Adams； sitting
down upon the stairs； when they have crept away； declares that her legs
tremble so that she don't know what to do； and that she will say for Miss
Emma； that she never had a hasty word from her； and that she does hope
and pray she may be happy。
But Jane soon comes round again； and then surely there never was
anything like the breakfast table； glittering with plate and china； and set
out with flowers and sweets； and long…necked bottles； in the most
sumptuous and dazzling manner。 In the centre； too； is the mighty charm；
the cake； glistening with frosted sugar； and garnished beautifully。 They
agree that there ought to be a little Cupid under one of the barley…sugar
temples； or at least two hearts and an arrow； but； with this exception； there
is nothing to wish for； and a table could not be handsomer。 As they arrive
at this conclusion； who should come in but Mr。 John！ to whom Jane says
that its only Anne from number six； and John says HE knows； for he's
often winked his eye down the area； which causes Anne to blush and look
confused。 She is going away； indeed； when Mr。 John will have it that she
must drink a glass of wine； and he says never mind it's being early in the
morning； it won't hurt her： so they shut the door and pour out the wine；
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Sketches of Young Couples
and Anne drinking lane's health； and adding； 'and here's wishing you yours；
Mr。 John；' drinks it in a great many sips； … Mr。 John all the time making
jokes appropriate to the occasion。 At last Mr。 John； who has waxed bolder
by degrees； pleads the usage at weddings； and claims the privilege of a
kiss； which he obtains after a great scuffle； and footsteps being now heard
on the stairs； they disperse suddenly。
By this time a carriage has driven up to convey the bride to church；
and Anne of number six prolonging the process of 'cleaning her door；' has
the satisfaction of beholding the bride and bridesmaids； and the papa and
mamma； hurry into the same and drive rapidly off。 Nor is this all； for soon
other carriages begin to arrive with a posse of company all beautifully
dressed； at whom she could stand and gaze for ever； but having something
else to do； is compelled to take one last long look and shut the street…door。
And now the company have gone down to breakfast； and tears have
given place to smiles； for all the corks are out of the long…necked bottles；
and their contents are disappearing rapidly。 Miss Emma's papa is at the top
of the table； Miss Emma's mamma at the bottom； and beside the latter are
Miss Emma herself and her husband； … admitted on all hands to be the
handsomest and most interesting young couple ever known。 All down both
sides of the table； too； are various young ladies； beautiful to see； and
various young gentlemen who seem to think so； and there； in a post of
honour； is an unmarried aunt of Miss Emma's； reported to possess
unheard…of riches； and to have expressed