Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/126

128 remained with her till nine, when she was led from her queen-like apartment and married.

When she was pronounced the wife of Noble by the minister, it was the happiest moment her mother had seen for a long time. Many of the guests expected her to refuse the hand of Noble even at the altar, but her former lover did not appear. All who have loved may judge the feelings of poor Minnie at this time. Now came the dance. She danced as merrily as any of her guests, for pride kept her from showing any feeling but that of happiness. Her reception was the third day; it was as grand an affair as the wedding. Her reception dress was made of three skirts of spangled tulle, with a coronet of pearls and diamonds. After this commenced the parties by the bridemaids, at which she danced the polka, and many other fancy dances.

Noble did not at first make any objection, but at the third or fourth party he objected to her dancing the polka. She persisted in it, when he expressly forbid her. Then commenced the trouble. Her mother advised with her; her husband tried to compel her; but in spite of both she would dance what she pleased. Before the parties were through with, there was another objection raised; her color was a little too high.

Noble now took a stand, and forbid her going to parties altogether. At this her father, mother and brother interfered, and insisted she should go where she pleased, and make her toilet to suit herself. I now got tired, and went South, but had only been there about two months when they wrote for me to go East. On my arrival they told me she had been sick,