An order had been received for mourning jewels, and haste was essential.

Sidonie, whom the forewoman instructed in her task in a tone of infinite superiority, began dismally to sort a multitude of black pearls, bits of glass, and wisps of crape.
The others, paying no attention to the little girl, chatted together as they worked.

They talked of a wedding that was to take place that very day at St.Gervais.
"Suppose we go," said a stout, red-haired girl, whose name was Malvina.
"It's to be at noon.

We shall have time to go and get back again if we hurry." And, at the lunch hour, the whole party rushed downstairs four steps at a time.
Sidonie had brought her luncheon in a little basket, like a school-girl; with a heavy heart she sat at a corner of the table and ate alone for the first time in her life.

Great God! what a sad and wretched thing life seemed to be; what a terrible revenge she would take hereafter for her sufferings there! At one o'clock the girls trooped noisily back, highly excited.
"Did you see the white satin gown?
And the veil of point d'Angleterre?
There's a lucky girl!" Thereupon they repeated in the workroom the remarks they had made in undertones in the church, leaning against the rail, throughout the ceremony.