"It's quite useless for me to dress, Elise.

Who will look at me when they are to be seen ?" "Don't be absurd, Bella.

It is time you were ready now." "I'm in despair, my dear.

Give me any shabby old dress, and here, Lucia, put this thing on, and be the bride instead of me." She caught up her veil and threw it over Lucia's head before any one could stop her.
"You must change the bridegroom as well then," said Magdalen, rather maliciously, "and perhaps she might not object." "What a pity Maurice is gone! It will have to be Mr.Percy, Lucia," cried Bella, loosing the veil to clap her hands.
"Be silent, Bella," said Mrs.Bellairs, "and finish dressing at once, unless you intend me to leave you." Lucia, flushed and half angry, had by this time freed herself from the veil and smoothed her hair.

Bella, a little sobered by her sister's annoyance, returned to her toilette and was soon ready to go downstairs.
In the drawing-room the guests were rapidly assembling.