Page:Ethel Churchill 1.pdf/28

22 should have retained that dark outline as faithfully as it mirrored the stars, which were flickering in the flood even as I saw them then. "When nearer the house, however, there came upon me signs of change:—I heard the roll of carriages and the sound of music. Suddenly a stream of light burst from the windows. I must have arrived at the moment of some festive celebration;—fortunate, for Agnes would assuredly be there. "To place this beyond doubt, ere I withdrew to change my dress, I entered the vestibule unperceived, and made my way to the musician's gallery, from which I could look down upon the scene below. All was gaiety and animation; brilliant groups were flitting past in rapid succession; but my attention was at once attracted to the head of the room, where was stationed a lady in white satin, to whom my brother was presenting every guest successively. "I could hear the musicians applaud among themselves the beauty of the bride, who at that moment turned her head towards the gallery; I felt upon whom I must look—it was the face of Agnes!