At the Grange almost everybody was in bed . What with the guests straggling home at intervals and hurrying sleepily off to their rooms , nobody had missed Lucinda , each set supposing she was with some other set . Mrs. Frederick , Mrs. Nathaniel and Mrs. George alone were up . The perennially chilly Mrs. Nathaniel had kindled a fire of chips in the blue room grate to warm her feet before retiring , and the three women were discussing the wedding in subdued tones when the door opened and the stately form of Lucinda , stately even in the dragged voile , appeared , with the damp Romney behind her . `` Lucinda Penhallow ! '' gasped they , one and all . `` I was left to walk home , '' said Lucinda coolly . `` So Romney and I came across the fields . There was no bridge over the brook , and when he was carrying me over he slipped and we fell in . That is all . No , Cecilia , I never take cold , so do n't worry . Yes , my dress is ruined , but that is of no consequence . No , thank you , Cecilia , I do not care for a hot drink . Romney , do go and take off those wet clothes of yours immediately . No , Cecilia , I will NOT take a hot footbath . I am going straight to bed . Good night . '' When the door closed on the pair the three sisters-in-law stared at each other . Mrs. Frederick , feeling herself incapable of expressing her sensations originally , took refuge in a quotation : '' ` Do I sleep , do I dream , do I wonder and doubt ? Is things what they seem , or is visions about ? ' ''
`` There will be another Penhallow wedding soon , '' said Mrs. Nathaniel , XXXXX a long breath .
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