knew him.

Instead of the easy gayety natural to himself and proper to the
occasion, he delivered a few faltering words of affection for the bride;
then suddenly stopped, and, after a pause, said, "But some younger man
must foretell her the bright career she deserves. I am unfit. We don't
know what an hour may bring forth." With this he sunk into his chair.

An uneasy grin, and then a gloom, fell on the bright company at these
strange words, and all looked at one another uncomfortably.

But this situation was unexpectedly relieved. The young curate rose, and
said, "I accept the honor Dr. Amboyne is generous enough to transfer to
the younger gentlemen of the party--accept it with pride."

Starting from this exordium, he pronounced, with easy volubility, a
charming panegyric on the bride, congratulated her friends, and then
congratulated himself on being the instrument to unite her in holy
wedlock with a gentleman worthy of her affection. Then, assuming for one
moment the pastor, he pronounced a blessing on the pair, and sat down,
casting glances all round out of a pair of singularly restless eyes.

The loud applause that followed left him in no doubt as to the
favorable effect he had produced. Coventry, in particular, looked most
expressively grateful.

The bridegroom's health followed, and Coventry returned thanks in
a speech so neat and well delivered that Grace felt proud of his
performance.

Then the carriage and four came round, and Coventry gave Grace an
imploring glance on which she acted at once, being herself anxious to
escape from so much publicity. She made her courtesies, and retired to
put on her traveling-dress.

Then Dr. Amboyne cursed his own indecision, but still could not make up
his mind, except to tell Raby, and make him the judge what course was
best.

The gayety, never very boisterous, began to flag altogether; when
suddenly a noise was heard outside, and one or two young people, who
darted unceremoniously to the window, were rewarded by the sight of a
man and a woman struggling and quarreling at the gate. The disturbance
in question arose thus: Jael Dence, looking out of Grace's window, saw
the postman coming, and ran to get Grace her letters (if any) before she
went.

The postman, knowing her well, gave her the one letter there was.

Lally, returning from the inn, where he had stopped one unlucky minute
to drain a glass, saw this, and ran after Jael and caught her just
inside the gat