four o'clock
It was as `` rare '' and `` perfect '' as dear Mother Nature could make it for one of her loveliest children . The girls had dressed the church , until it seemed a very bower of bloom , and at every turn Miss Howard would find the posies of which she was so fond . The three colors , if white may be called a color , chosen for the bridesmaids ' dresses were used in the decorations , and altar , chancel , transept and aisles were brilliant with daffodils , narcissuses and lilacs , which filled the church with their perfume . The wedding was to take place at four o'clock , and when that hour arrived little space was left in the church for the tardy ones . Nearly all the girls had returned for the ceremony , and a bonnier lot it would have been difficult to find than that which filled the front pews of the church , for Miss Howard would have them all near her , insisting that none of the other guests could possibly have the same loving thoughts for her that her girls would have . Promptly at the stroke of four the great organ rolled out its message to all , and , after her few distant relatives had been conducted to their seats , Miss Howard 's bonny bridesmaids appeared , following another fancy of hers by walking together , with the ushers leading . First came Edith and Marie ; Edith 's yellow golden hair a perfect background for the big white chip hat , with its masses of violets , and her fair , soft skin made softer and fairer by the fairy-like chiffon draped so artistically over the pale violet satin beneath it .