That which she had of her own was blood; having that, she would in all ways do what in her lay to enhance its value.

Had she not possessed it, it would to her mind have been the vainest of pretences.
When Mary came in, the wedding preparations were being discussed.

The number and names of the bridesmaids were being settled, the dresses were on the tapis, the invitations to be given were talked over.
Sensible as Augusta was, she was not above such feminine cares; she was, indeed, rather anxious that the wedding should go off well.

She was a little ashamed of her tailor's son, and therefore anxious that things should be as brilliant as possible.
The bridesmaid's names had just been written on a card as Mary entered the room.

There were the Ladies Amelia, Rosina, Margaretta, and Alexandrina of course at the head of it; then came Beatrice and the twins; then Miss Oriel, who, though only a parson's sister, was a person of note, birth, and fortune.