little Elinor
too.

And then the solemnity was all over in a moment, and the flutter of
voices and congratulations began.

I do not mean to follow the proceedings through all the routine of the
wedding-day. Attempts were made on the part of the bridegroom's party
to get Lady Mariamne dismissed by the next train, an endeavour into
which Harry Compton threw himself--for he was always a good-hearted
fellow--with his whole soul. But the Jew declared that she was dying of
hunger, and whatever sort of place it was, must have something to eat; a
remark which naturally endeared her still more to Mrs. Dennistoun, who
was waiting by the door of Mr. Tatham's carriage, which that anxious old
gentleman had managed to recover control of, till her ladyship had taken
her place. Her ladyship stared with undisguised amazement when she was
followed into the carriage by the bride's mother, and when the neat
little old gentleman took his seat opposite. "But where is Algy? I want
Algy," she cried, in dismay. "Absolutely I can't go without Algy, who
came to take care of me."

"You will be perfectly safe, my dear lady, with Mrs. Dennistoun and me.
The gentlemen will walk," said Mr. Tatham, waving his hand to the
coachman.

And thus it was that the forlorn lady found herself without her cavalier
and without her pug, absolutely stranded among savages, notwithstanding
her strong protest almost carried the length of tears. She was thus
carried off in a state of consternation to the cottage over the rough
road, where the wheels went with a din and lurch over the stones, and
dug deep into the sand, eliciting a succession of little shrieks from
her oppressed bosom. "I shall be shaken all to bits," she said, grasping
the arm of the old gentleman to steady herself. Mr. Tatham was not
displeased to be the champion of a lady of title. He assured her in
dulcet tones that his springs were very good and his horses very
sure--"though it is not a very nice road."

"Oh, it is a dreadful road!" said Lady Mariamne.

But in due time they did arrive at the cottage, where her ladyship could
not wait for the gathering of the company, but demanded at once
something to eat. "I can't really go another moment without food. I must
have something or I shall die. Phil, come here this instant and get me
something. They have brought me off at the risk of my life, and there's
nobody to attend to me. Don't stand spooning there," cried Lady Mariamne,
"but do what I tell