Wednesday 18 January 2012

Her pearls, her satin train

It took me a long time to read The Ladies of Lyndon finally I finished it. There's alot about marriage in it and as it's the anniversary of our first date and engagement I thought we'd have these passages.

The silence in which she drove with her father to the church was comforting and lovely.

John, handsome and competent as ever, waited for her at the chancel steps, and at the sight of his cheerful self-possession she became more collected. While the clergyman was haranguing them about those carnal lusts of which the bride is supposed to know nothing, she reflected composedly that John ought really to be married as often as possible, he did it so well.

waiting
As she returned down the aisle Mendelson's triumph seemed to epitomise her own satisfaction in her beautiful behaviour. She had quitted the maiden state becomingly.
flowers


They had drawn up before the Cocks's door, triumphant with its gala awning and crimson carpet. It was flung wide by beaming maidservants and John handed Agatha and her lilies, her pearls, her satin train and lace veil, out of the car.


She was already rather tired of hearing her new name.

bride



John twitched her train into becoming folds round her feet and assumed the posture of happy groom at her side.
happy

"I've not crushed your flowers," he murmured in her ear as a bevvy of bridesmaids flocked into the room. "Isn't that exemplary in a bridegroom?" Margaret Kennedy The Ladies of Lyndon

crushed

4 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary Rachel! I remember me and my dad's 'silent journey' to the church - I think he was more nervous than me, for some reason!

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  2. Verity & Tonia - Thank you!
    Cathy - Yes that journey to the church... ours wasn't so silent as a dear friend's father was driving us in his lovely car.

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