Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/272

274 black side stripes; she is well known as the authoress of "Belle Smith Abroad." The most beautiful scene of the evening was a quadrille, danced by four ladies, dressed in the style of the olden times. Mrs F's train was held by her nephew while she glided through the dance. The whole house was thrown open and I assure you every one enjoyed themselves very much. There came to my house one day, a very nice looking gentleman, who told me he wanted to engage me to go to a lady's house to comb her for her marriage. I agreed to go in the evening. To my surprise, while I was engaged with the lady, the gentleman who had come for me came into the room and gave orders about the dressing of his sister's hair, and also the bride's. I found he was the groom, and that not only had he given orders about the dressing of her hair, but had ordered her dress altogether; it was a heavy brocaded tan colored silk with a long vail of illusion, with a wreath of choice flowers. There were several children about the house, who made a great deal of noise, crying and yelling. The lady was very uneasy and restless in her movements, and apparently much annoyed, but I could not tell the reason until she was dressed and the guests were beginning to arrive; when I found she feared the children's guardian would interfere with her marriage. As there was no one there to receive the company the groom came up and wished her to go down and receive the company, saying that when the clergyman came she could come up stairs again; put on her vail, go down and be married; but I advised her to do no such thing; to let the guests receive themselves. It certainly was amusing to see the groom introduce his company, clergyman and all,