A Duet (with an occasional chorus) | Page 2

travel
at such a time, and we must strain every nerve to prevent it. There is
only one serious objection which my mother can see. Uncle Percival
(that is my mother's second brother) comes back from Rangoon about
the end of July, and will miss the wedding (O Frank, think of its being
OUR wedding!) unless we delay it. He has always been very fond of
me, and he might be hurt if we were married so immediately before his
arrival. Don't you think it would be as well to wait? Mother leaves it all
in your hands, and we shall do exactly as you advise. O Frank . . . (The
rest is confidential.)
Woking, May 29th.
My Own Dearest,--I think that it would be unreasonable upon the part
of your Uncle Percival to think that we ought to have changed the date
of a matter so important to ourselves, simply in order that he should be
present. I am sure that on second thoughts your mother and yourself
will see the thing in this light. I must say, however, that in one point I
think you both show great judgment. It would certainly be invidious to
be married IMMEDIATELY before his arrival. I really think that he
would have some cause for complaint if we did that. To prevent any
chance of hurting his feelings, I think that it would be far best, if your
mother and you agree with me, that we should be married upon July 7th.
I see that it is a Thursday, and in every way suitable. When I read your
last letter . . . (The remainder is unimportant.)
St. Albans, June 1st.
Dearest Frank,--I am sure that you are right in thinking that it would be
as well not to have the ceremony too near the date of Uncle Percival's
arrival in England. We should be so sorry to hurt his feelings in any
way. Mother has been down to Madame Mortimer's about the dresses,
and she thinks that everything could be hurried up so as to be ready by

July 7th. She is so obliging, and her skirts DO hang so beautifully. O
Frank, it is only a few weeks' time, and then . . .
Woking, June 3rd.
My Own Darling Maude,--How good you are--and your mother
also--in falling in with my suggestions! Please, please don't bother your
dear self about dresses. You only want the one travelling-dress to be
married in, and the rest we can pick up as we go. I am sure that white
dress with the black stripe--the one you were playing tennis with at the
Arlingtons'--would do splendidly. You looked simply splendid that day.
I am inclined to think that it is my favourite of all your dresses, with the
exception of the dark one with the light- green front. That shows off
your figure so splendidly. I am very fond also of the grey Quaker-like
alpaca dress. What a little dove you do look in it! I think those dresses,
and of course your satin evening-dress, are my favourites. On second
thoughts, they are the only dresses I have ever seen you in. But I like
the grey best, because you wore it the first time I ever--you remember!
You must NEVER get rid of those dresses. They are too full of
associations. I want to see you in them for years, and years, and years.
What I wanted to say was that you have so many charming dresses, that
we may consider ourselves independent of Madame Mortimer. If her
things should be late, they will come in very usefully afterwards. I don't
want to be selfish or inconsiderate, my own dearest girlie, but it would
be rather too much if we allowed my tailor or your dressmaker to be
obstacles to our union. I just want you--your dainty little self--if you
had only your 'wee coatie,' as Burns says. Now look here! I want you to
bring your influence to bear upon your mother, and so make a small
change in our plans. The earlier we can have our honeymoon, the more
pleasant the hotels will be. I do want your first experiences with me to
be without a shadow of discomfort. In July half the world starts for its
holiday. If we could get away at the end of this mouth, we should just
be ahead of them. This month, this very month! Oh, do try to manage
this, my own dearest girl. The 30th of June is a Tuesday, and in every
way suitable. They could spare me from the office most excellently.
This would just give us time to have the banns three times, beginning
with next Sunday. I leave it in your hands, dear. Do try to work it.
St.