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.’I was pleased.‘Well, I do think it went off well.’‘Nothing could have gone off better,’ he said.‘It was the most complete thing; and the people were in such good humour.’‘I’m glad the sun came out for them,’ I said.‘Poor wet things – waiting so faithfully just for a glimpse of us.’‘Happy is the bride that the sun shines on,’ he said.I reached for his hand.‘Yes,’ I said earnestly, ‘and I am happy.From the very first moment of my marriage, I felt it must be a foretaste of Heaven.God allows us this, so that we shall know just a little what is to come.’His large, dry hands folded over mine, and for an instant I saw him tremble on the brink of disintegration.‘Oh my dear—’ he said in a breaking voice, his eyes shining with tears; and then he caught himself back, and caught up the improper address.‘Oh my dear ma’am, I pray you will find marriage a great comfort.’The clock struck the three-quarters, and there was a scratching at the door.‘I must go,’ I said.He nodded.His eyes held mine for one moment more.‘God bless you,’ he said, and then released my hand.The door opened, and Albert was there.‘The carriage is ready,’ he said.Lord M.stood aside, and I put my hand through Albert’s arm and he led me towards the stairs.‘Such a brim that bonnet has!’ he murmured to me.‘I can hardly see your dear little face hidden inside.How shall I manage to kiss it, I wonder?’‘Do you mean to kiss it?’ I asked, laughing.‘As soon as we are in the carriage,’ he said.‘That would be most improper, to kiss a lady in a post-chaise,’ I said demurely.‘But you forget, you are not a lady now, you are my wife,’ he said, and we both laughed heartily.Downstairs we said goodbye to Mamma, and hurried out to our carriage.We set off just about four o’clock, and the clouds were banking up again and making it seem darker than it should be.It was an eventful drive, for there was an immense crowd of people outside the Palace, which hardly lessened all the way to Windsor, for the road was lined almost every yard with people waiting to get a glimpse of us.We were not a very grand sight, for unlike most newly-weds in those days, we did not have a shiny new chariot for the occasion: we rattled along in one of the old but comfortable travelling-coaches, with postilions in undress-livery and only a small escort.But from the first we were joined by the most enthusiastic amateur outriders anyone could have wanted, young men in gigs and men of all ages on horseback, galloping along beside us, hooting and cheering and waving their hats, disputing possession of the road with us and putting themselves in strong danger of finishing the day in a ditch.They only dropped back when their horses foundered, and their places were immediately taken by other cavaliers with fresher mounts and ever louder halloos.Albert thought it rather impertinent that they peered in at us through the windows and called out our names, but I thought it all the best fun, and a nicer escort by far than a staid troop of uniformed cavalry would have been.When we passed through Eton, although it was dark the boys were all out, lining the road with torches and giving us the most touching welcome.And then at last, at seven o’clock, we arrived at Windsor Castle.First we explored the suite of rooms that had been prepared for us, admiring the little personal touches Lehzen had provided, of flowers and books and favourite music on the piano-top.Albert seemed as excited as I that this was to be our very first home together, and we ran from room to room like children, with the dogs, whom we had found waiting for us, racing and jumping around us excitedly.Then we separated to change our clothes, and when I was ready I went to our sitting-room and found Albert there in his Windsor coat (which suited him so well) thoughtfully playing the piano.There was something so ethereal about the cast of his beautiful face as he bent over the keys, that for a moment my heart drew breath, with a feeling of awe that was touched with fear.It could not be that this loveliness was for me; it would be taken from me, I thought; I had not deserved it [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]