CHAPTER XV.
The look of consternation assumed by Lady Anne, on this trying occasion, instantly communicated to her alarmed daughters a sense of the necessity for guarding their secret, which ought never to have entered their minds. They could not bring themselves to believe that the church in which their beautiful sister had "plighted her troth," was materially different from that which had received the vows of Isabella, and were quite certain that her marriage exhibited no "maimed rites," and that her bridegroom was much more animated, and apparently more happy than the dear, good gentleman, whom alone they had beheld in a similar situation. The only difference in the affair which struck them was the great age of the officiating minister, as distinct from the elegant young gentleman who officiated in their younger sister's case, and they alike gave him greatly the preference. In the simplicity of their hearts, they believed that his prayers would have more efficacy from the many years in which they had been offered, and had therefore already concluded (with the premature conviction of youth) that although Isabella had been far the better married, Louisa would be the happier wife.
