s condition, that poked by Paliser, she heard
herself uttering the consenting words that are so irrevocable and so
fluid.

It was over then--or nearly! The thought of it shook her from the mental
swoon. Behind her some one spoke and she wondered who it could be. But a
movement distracted her. Dr. Grantly had shifted the book from one hand
to the other and as absently she followed the movement, she saw that the
hand that now held the book was maimed or else malformed.

But what immediately occupied her were other words which, prompted by
him, she was automatically repeating. The words are very beautiful,
really exalting, they are words that spread peace as dawn spreads upon
the sea. Yet, in their delivery, twice Dr. Grantly tripped and, though
on each occasion he pulled himself up and went on again without
embarrassment, it seemed to Cassy that he did so without dignity.

The impression, which was but momentary, drifted; another distraction
intervened, her finger was being ringed. I'm done for! she despairingly
thought.

"Amen!"

"Ouf!" Cassy gasped. It was really over, over at last, and still a
little bewildered, she turned. The butler and the maid were leaving the
room, which they must have entered when the ceremony first over-whelmed
her. From the hall a slight cackle floated back.

It amused them, she generously reflected.

Paliser did not notice. He was addressing the clergyman. "Thank you very
much, doctor." He turned to his bride. "Cutting your head off may have
been worse, don't you think?"

If I can't be gay at least I should appear so, she told herself and
desperately she laughed.

Meanwhile the man of God, relapsing into the man of the world, or of its
neighbourhood, did not seem to know what to do with himself. He dropped
the book, picked it up, put it on the table. Considerately, in his
Oxford voice, Paliser instructed him.

"You must be going? Ah, well, I appreciate. Let me thank you again."

Dr. Grantly mumbled something, smiled at the bride, smiled at the happy
man or, more exactly, he smiled at an envelope which the happy man was
giving him and which, Cassy divined, contained his fee. How much? she
wondered. However much or little, it was excessive.

The hall took him and the groom grappled with the bride, embracing her
with that rudimentary paranoia which lawful passion comports.

She struggled free and, a bit breathless, but with the same desperate
gaiety, exclaimed: "If this is matrimo