Explore "Given in Marriage" by B.M. Croker on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The letter from Mrs. Hicks to her "hubby" gave a fairly good sketch of events at the Court. There had been tennis, boating, Bridge, dancing, a certain amount of strolling about the lawns and turf walks, and sitting in rustic arbours, with congenial companions. Mrs. Hicks had played well, and vigorously in the married ladies against single, and it seemed to Mayne like good old days, when she served her cleverly placed balls, and shouted her triumphs.
On her arrival at the Court, Nancy, her neighbour, had taken her under her wing, inspected her wardrobe, subdued its too vivid colours with lace and chiffon, altered the style of her friend's hats with her own clever fingers, and made useful suggestions with regard to coiffure. Also, she gave her the names and characteristics of expected guests, and did her utmost to make her comfortable, and put her at her ease, -- and Mrs. Hicks was not ungrateful. As she stood patiently, whilst the girl pinned and arranged a fichu upon her portly form, she said, "I declare to you, Nancy, you've done more to fix me up, and show me the ropes in two days, than my own girls in two years. Of course they are busy with their love affairs, -- and you have none, -- and it's your own fault. There isn't a young man I know, that can hold a candle to Mayne, as to looks and manners. He took the shine out of them all, at Jessie's wedding. _Why_ can't you make it up?"