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honour； is an unmarried aunt of Miss Emma's； reported to possess
unheard…of riches； and to have expressed vast testamentary intentions
respecting her favourite niece and new nephew。 This lady has been very
liberal and generous already； as the jewels worn by the bride abundantly
testify； but that is nothing to what she means to do； or even to what she has
done； for she put herself in close communication with the dressmaker
three months ago； and prepared a wardrobe （with some articles worked by
her own hands） fit for a Princess。 People may call her an old maid； and so
she may be； but she is neither cross nor ugly for all that； on the contrary；
she is very cheerful and pleasant…looking； and very kind and tender…
hearted： which is no matter of surprise except to those who yield to
popular prejudices without thinking why； and will never grow wiser and
never know better。
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Of all the company though； none are more pleasant to behold or better
pleased with themselves than two young children； who； in honour of the
day； have seats among the guests。 Of these； one is a little fellow of six or
eight years old； brother to the bride； … and the other a girl of the same age；
or something younger； whom he calls 'his wife。' The real bride and
bridegroom are not more devoted than they： he all love and attention； and
she all blushes and fondness； toying with a little bouquet which he gave
her this morning； and placing the scattered rose…leaves in her bosom with
nature's own coquettishness。 They have dreamt of each other in their quiet
dreams； these children； and their little hearts have been nearly broken
when the absent one has been dispraised in jest。 When will there come in
after…life a passion so earnest； generous； and true as theirs； what； even in
its gentlest realities； can have the grace and charm that hover round such
fairy lovers！
By this time the merriment and happiness of the feast have gained
their height； certain ominous looks begin to be exchanged between the
bridesmaids； and somehow it gets whispered about that the carriage which
is to take the young couple into the country has arrived。 Such members of
the party as are most disposed to prolong its enjoyments； affect to consider
this a false alarm； but it turns out too true； being speedily confirmed； first
by the retirement of the bride and a select file of intimates who are to
prepare her for the journey； and secondly by the withdrawal of the ladies
generally。 To this there ensues a particularly awkward pause； in which
everybody essays to be facetious； and nobody succeeds； at length the
bridegroom makes a mysterious disappearance in obedience to some
equally mysterious signal； and the table is deserted。
Now； for at least six weeks last past it has been solemnly devised and
settled that the young couple should go away in secret； but they no sooner
appear without the door than the drawing…room windows are blocked up
with ladies waving their handkerchiefs and kissing their hands； and the
dining…room panes with gentlemen's faces beaming farewell in every
queer variety of its expression。 The hall and steps are crowded with
servants in white favours； mixed up with particular friends and relations
who have darted out to say good…bye； and foremost in the group are the
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Sketches of Young Couples
tiny lovers arm in arm； thinking； with fluttering hearts； what happiness it
would be to dash away together in that gallant coach； and never part again。
The bride has barely time for one hurried glance at her old home；
when the steps rattle； the door slams； the horses clatter on the pavement；
and they have left it far away。
A knot of women servants still remain clustered in the hall； whispering
among themselves； and there of course is Anne from number six； who has
made another escape on some plea or other； and been an admiring witness
of the departure。 There are two points on which Anne expatiates over and
over again； without the smallest appearance of fatigue or intending to
leave off； one is； that she 'never see in all her life such a … oh such a angel
of a gentleman as Mr。 Harvey' … and the other； that she 'can't tell how it is；
but it don't seem a bit like a work…a…day； or a Sunday neither … it's all so
unsettled and unregular。'
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Sketches of Young Couples
THE FORMAL COUPLE
The formal couple are the most prim； cold； immovable； and
unsatisfactory people on the face of the earth。 Their faces； voices； dress；
house； furniture； walk； and manner； are all the essence of formality；
unrelieved by one redeeming touch of frankness； heartiness； or nature。
Everything with the formal couple resolves itself into a matter of form。
They don't call upon you on your account； but their own； not to see how
you are； but to show how they are： it is not a ceremony to do honour to
you； but to themselves； … not due to your position； but to theirs。 If one of a
friend's children die； the formal couple are as sure and punctual in sending
to the house as the undertaker； if a friend's family be increased； the
monthly nurse is not more attentive than they。 The formal couple； in fact；
joyfully seize all occasions of testifying their good…breeding and precise
observance of the little usages of society； and for you； who are the means
to this end； they care as much as a man does for the tailor who has enabled
him to cut a figure； or a woman for the milliner who has assisted her to a
conquest。
Having an extensive connexion among that kind of people who make
acquaintances and eschew friends； the formal gentleman attends from time
to time a great many funerals； to which he is formally invited； and to
which he formally goes； as returning a call for the last time。 Here his
deportment is of the most faultless description； he knows the exact pitch of
voice it is proper to assume； the sombre look he ought to wear； the
melancholy tread which should be his gait for the day。 He is pe