. Lytton's own handwriting! If I had not
seen you write it I should have taken it to be his autograph."

"Should you? So much the better. But never mind that now. Go and do as I
told you."

He alighted immediately and went up to the door of the house. He rang
the bell, and sent in the card by the servant who answered it.

After the lapse of a few moments the servant came back with a very
favorable message.

Craven Kyte returned to the cab and whispered:

"Mr. Borden is at home and will see us. Come."

And he assisted her to alight.

And they went into the rectory, and were shown by a servant into the
study of the rector.

Mary Grey courtesied to the gray-haired, dignified clergyman, who arose
to receive her; but she kept her veil down as she took her seat in the
chair he placed for her.

Craven Kyte then drew the reverend gentleman aside and spoke to him in a
low voice.

Mr. Borden nodded and nodded as the speaker proceeded.

When he had finished speaking, the rector inquired:

"Both of legal age?"

"Both of more than legal age, and both quite independent of others,"
answered Craven Kyte.

"I merely asked the question because in cases of this kind I prefer that
the parties should be of legal age; though were they minors I should
feel it to be my duty to marry them all the same, because, I think, when
a youth and maiden run away with each other the best thing a Christian
minister can do for them is to tie them together for life."

"I am a bachelor of twenty-two years of age, and my chosen wife is a
widow of twenty-one. We take this simple method of getting married for
economy and convenience, and for no other reason; for there is no one in
the world who has either the power or the will to prevent us," said
Craven Kyte.

"Very well, Mr. Lytton; I am ready to wait on you. I prefer, however, to
solemnize marriage in the church, when possible. There must be witnesses
also. And if you have none at hand the sexton and some members of his
family can serve."

Craven Kyte winced at the prospect of all these formalities.

"I thought that in the Quaker City marriage was a matter of less form,"
he said.

"Yes, among the Quakers; but even they must have witnesses. If you and
the lady will go into the church I will join you there in a few minutes.
You will find the doors open and the sexton in the building, preparing
for the usual Friday afternoon service," said the rector.

And Craven Kyte again offered his