And the sooner the better.

These horrid Scotch mists are aggravating my rheumatism beyond endurance," concluded the dowager.
It was now the last week in September.

But so diligently did the dowager, and the servants under her orders exert themselves both at Castle Lone and in London, that before the first of October, Miss Levison, with her chaperon and their attendants, were all comfortably settled in the luxurious town-house in the West End.
The Duke of Hereward took lodgings near the home of his bride-elect.
As the marriage settlements had been executed, and the bridal paraphernalia prepared for the first marriage day set three months before, there was really nothing to do in the way of preparation for the wedding, and no reason for even so much as a week's delay.

An early day was therefore set.

It was decided that the ceremony should be performed without the least parade.
Since her departure from Castle Lone and her arrival at their town house, the change of scene and of circumstances, and the preliminaries of her wedding and her journey, had the happiest effects upon Miss Levison's health and spirits.
She recovered her cheerfulness, and even acquired a bloom she had never possessed before.