Charlotte slipped off her calico waist, and thrust her firm white
arms into the flaring silken sleeves of the wedding-gown. Her neck
arose from it with a grand curve. She stood before the glass and
strained the buttons together, frowning importantly.

"It fits you like a glove," Rose murmured, admiringly, smoothing
Charlotte's glossy back.

"I've got a spencer-cape to wear over my neck to meeting," Charlotte
said, and she opened the upper-most drawer in the chest and took out
a worked muslin cape, and adjusted it carefully over her shoulders,
pinning it across her bosom with a little brooch of her brother's
hair in a rim of gold.

"It's elegant," said Rose.

"I'll show you my bonnet," said Charlotte. She went into a closet and
emerged with a great green bandbox.

Rose bent over, watching her breathlessly as she opened it. "Oh!" she
cried. "Oh, Charlotte!"

Charlotte held up the bonnet of fine Dunstable straw, flaring in
front, and trimmed under the brim with a delicate lace ruche and a
wreath of feathery white flowers. Bows of white gauze ribbon stood up
from it stiffly. Long ribbon strings floated back over her arm as she
held it up.

"Try it on," said Rose.