r.

If the two women had no love for each other they at least stinted no
ceremony. Marie presented the smallest surface of herself to her
mother-in-law. It is true they had been of the same household only a few
months; but months and years are the same betwixt us and the people who
solve not for us this riddle of ourselves. Antonia thought little of
Lady Dorinda's opinions, but her saying about the dignity of marriage
rites had the force of unexpected truth. Arendt Van Corlaer had used up
his patience in courtship. He was now bent on wedding Antonia and
setting out to Montreal without the loss of another day. His route was
planned up St. John River and across-country to the St. Lawrence.

"I would therefore give all possible state to this occasion," added
Lady Dorinda. "Did you not tell me this Sir Van Corlaer is an officer?"

"He is the real patroon of Fort Orange, my lady."

"He should then have military honors paid him on his marriage," observed
Lady Dorinda, to whom patroon suggested the barbarous but splendid
vision of a western pasha. "Salutes should be fired and drums sounded.
In thus recommending I hope I have not overstepped my authority, Madame
La Tour?"

"Certainly not, your ladyship," murmured Marie.

"The marriage ceremony hath length and solemnity, but I would have it
longer, and more solemn. A woman in giving herself away should greatly
impress a man with the charge he hath undertaken. There be not many
bridegrooms like Sir Claude de la Tour, who fasted an entire day before
his marriage with me. The ceremonial of that marriage hath scarce been
forgotten at court to this hour."

Lady Dorinda folded her hands and closed her eyes to sigh. Her voice had
rolled the last words in her throat. At such moments she looked very
superior. Her double chins and dull light eyes held great reserves of
self-respect. A small box of aromatic seeds lay in her lap, and as her
hands encountered it she was reminded to put a seed in her mouth and
find pensive comfort in chewing it.

"Edelwald should be here to give the proper grace to this event," added
Lady Dorinda.

"I thought of him," said Marie. "Edelwald has so much the nature of a
troubadour."

"The studies which adorn a man were well thought of when I was at
court," said Lady Dorinda. "Edelwald is really thrown away upon this
wilderness."

Antonia was too intent on Van Corlaer and his fell determination to turn
her mind upon Edelwald. She had, indeed, seen v