he Duke's auspices."

"And ought, I think, to have seen enough of them to be ashamed of
them. Such a regiment to march through Coventry with!"

"I do not doubt that we shall be good enough men for any enemies we
may meet."

"It cannot but be that you should conquer all the world with such a
hero among you as Sir Timothy Beeswax. The idea of Sir Timothy coming
back again! What do you feel about it?"

"Very indifferent, Duchess. He won't interfere much with me, as I
have an Attorney-General of my own. You see I'm especially safe."

"I do believe men would do anything," said the Duchess, turning to
Mrs. Finn. "Of course I mean in the way of politics! But I did not
think it possible that the Duke of St. Bungay should again be in the
same Government with Sir Timothy Beeswax."

CHAPTER LXXIX

The Wharton Wedding

It was at last settled that the Wharton marriage should take place
during the second week in June. There were various reasons for
the postponement. In the first place Mary Wharton, after a few
preliminary inquiries, found herself forced to declare that Messrs.
Muddocks and Cramble could not send her forth equipped as she ought
to be equipped for such a husband in so short a time. "Perhaps they
do it quicker in London," she said to Everett with a soft regret,
remembering the metropolitan glories of her sister's wedding.
And then Arthur Fletcher could be present during the Whitsuntide
holidays; and the presence of Arthur Fletcher was essential. And it
was not only his presence at the altar that was needed;--Parliament
was not so exacting but that he might have given that;--but it was
considered by the united families to be highly desirable that he
should on this occasion remain some days in the country. Emily had
promised to attend the wedding, and would of course be at Wharton
for at least a week. As soon as Everett had succeeded in wresting a
promise from his sister, the tidings were conveyed to Fletcher. It
was a great step gained. When in London she was her own mistress; but
surrounded as she would be down in Herefordshire by Fletchers and
Whartons, she must be stubborn indeed if she should still refuse to
be taken back into the flock, and be made once more happy by marrying
the man whom she confessed that she loved with her whole heart. The
letter to Arthur Fletcher containing the news was from his brother
John, and was written in a very business-like fashion. "We have put
off Mary's marriage a