you still think that in these cases love can do everything?"

Miss Cotton was about to reply, when she observed that the people about
her had stopped talking. The bridegroom, with his best man, in whom his
few acquaintances there recognised Boardman with some surprise, came
over the chancel from one side.

Miss Cotton bent close to Mrs. Brinkley and whispered rapidly: "Alice
found out Mr. Mavering wished it, and insisted on his having him. It was
a great concession, but she's perfectly magnanimous. Poor fellow! how he
does look!"

Alice, on her father's arm, with her bridemaids, of whom the first was
Minnie Mavering, mounted the chancel steps, where Mr. Pasmer remained
standing till he advanced to give away the bride. He behaved with great
dignity, but seemed deeply affected; the ladies in the front pews said
they could see his face twitch; but he never looked handsomer.

The five clergymen came from the back of the chancel in their white
surplices. The ceremony proceeded to the end.

The young couple drove at once to the station, where they were to take
the train for New York, and wait there a day or two for Mrs. and Mr.
Pasmer before they all sailed.

As they drove along, Alice held Dan's wrist in the cold clutch of her
trembling little ungloved hand, on which her wedding ring shone. "O
dearest! let us be good!" she said. "I will try my best. I will try not
to be exacting and unreasonable, and I know I can. I won't even make any
conditions, if you will always be frank and open with me, and tell me
everything."

He leaned over and kissed her behind the drawn curtains. "I will, Alice!
I will indeed! I won't keep anything from you after this."

He resolved to tell her all about Julia Anderson at the right moment,
when Alice was in the mood, and as soon as he thoroughly understood what
he had really meant himself.

If he had been different she would not have asked him to be frank and
open; if she had been different, he might have been frank and open. This
was the beginning of their married life.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of April Hopes, by William Dean Howells

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