That's
how Heaven mostly does. I wish I could have had common banns!"
But everything went smoothly. She wondered whether he would like her
to be married in her present best white frock, or if she ought to
buy a new one. The question was set at rest by his forethought,
disclosed by the arrival of some large packages addressed to her.
Inside them she found a whole stock of clothing, from bonnet to
shoes, including a perfect morning costume, such as would well suit
the simple wedding they planned. He entered the house shortly after
the arrival of the packages, and heard her upstairs undoing them.
A minute later she came down with a flush on her face and tears in
her eyes.
"How thoughtful you've been!" she murmured, her cheek upon his
shoulder. "Even to the gloves and handkerchief! My own love--how
good, how kind!"
"No, no, Tess; just an order to a tradeswoman in London--nothing
more."
And to divert her from thinking too highly of him, he told her to go
upstairs, and take her time, and see if it all fitted; and, if not,
to get the village sempstress to make a few alterations.
She did return upstairs, and put on the gown. Alone, she stood for a
moment before the glass looking at the effect of her silk attire; and
then there came into her head her mother's ballad of the mystic
robe--
That never would become that wife
That had once done amiss,
which Mrs Durbeyfield had used to sing to her as a child, so blithely
and so archly, her foot on the cradle, which she rocked to the tune.
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