hey talked together for a while.

"Very good," said the priest at length, "I will take the risk and do
it, for where heretics are concerned such things are not too closely
inquired into nowadays. But first down with the money; no paper or
promises, if you please."

"Ah! you churchmen," said Ramiro, with a faint smile, "in things
spiritual or temporal how much have we poor laity to learn of you!" With
a sigh he produced the required sum, then paused and added, "No; with
your leave we will see the papers first. You have them with you?"

"Here they are," answered the priest, drawing some documents from his
pocket. "But they haven't been married yet; the rule is, marry first,
then certify. Until the ceremony is actually performed, anything might
happen, you know."

"Quite so, Father. Anything might happen either before or after; but
still, with your leave, I think that in this case we may as well certify
first; you might want to be getting away, and it will save so much
trouble later. Will you be so kind as to write your certificate?"

Father Thomas hesitated, while Ramiro gently clinked the gold coins in
his hand and murmured,

"I should be sorry to think, Father, that you had taken such a rough
journey for nothing."

"What trick are you at now?" growled the priest. "Well, after all it is
a mere form. Give me the names."

Ramiro gave them; Father Thomas scrawled them down, adding some words
and his own signature, then said, "There you are, that will hold good
against anyone except the Pope."

"A mere form," repeated Ramiro, "of course. But the world attaches
so much importance to forms, so I think that we will have this one
witnessed--No, not by myself, who am an interested party--by someone
independent," and calling Hague Simon and the waiting-woman he bade them
set their names at the foot of the documents.

"Papers signed in advance--fees paid in advance!" he went on, handing
over the money, "and now, just one more glass to drink the health of
the bride and bridegroom, also in advance. You will not refuse, nor you,
worthy Simon, nor you, most excellent Abigail. Ah! I thought not, the
night is cold."

"And the brandy strong," muttered the priest thickly, as this third dose
of raw spirit took effect upon him. "Now get on with the business, for I
want to be out of this hole before the flood comes."

"Quite so. Friends, will you be so good as to summon my son and the
lady? The lady first, I think--and all thre