te and gold prayer-book. She had never known jealousy; the doctor
had never given her any possible reason for acquiring that cruel
knowledge. His Flower bloomed for him; and her fragrance alone made his
continual joy. All other lovely women were mere botanical specimens, to
be examined and classified. But Flower had never quite understood the
depth of the friendship between her husband and Jane, founded on the
associations and aspirations of childhood and early youth, and a
certain similarity of character which would not have wedded well, but
which worked out into a comradeship, providing a source of strength for
both. Of late, Flower had earnestly tried to share, even while failing
to comprehend, it.

Perhaps she, in her pale primrose gown, with daffodils at her waist,
and sunbeams in her golden hair, was the most truly bridal figure in
the church. As the doctor turned from the bride, and sought his place
beside her in the pew, he looked at the sweet face, bent so demurely
over the prayer-book, and thought he had never seen his wife look more
entrancingly lovely. Unconsciously his hand strayed to the white
rosebud she had fastened in his coat as they strolled round the
conservatory together that morning. Flower, glancing up, surprised his
look. She did not think it right to smile in church; but a delicate
wave of colour swept over her face, and her cheek leaned as near the
doctor's shoulder, as the size of her hat would allow. Flower felt
quite certain that was a look the doctor had never given Jane.

The service commenced. The short-sighted clergyman, very nervous, and
rather overwhelmed by the unusual facts of a special license, a blind
bridegroom, and the reported presence of a duchess, began reading very
fast, in an undertone, which old Margery could not follow, though her
finger, imprisoned in unwonted kid, hurried along the lines. Then
conscious of his mistake, he slowed down, and became too impressive;
making long nerve-straining pauses, fled in by the tinkling of the
duchess, and the chinking in Dr. Rob's trousers-pockets.

Thus they arrived at the demand upon the congregation, if they could
show any just cause why these two persons might not lawfully be joined
together, NOW to speak--and the pause here was so long, and so
over-powering, that old Margery said "nay"; and then gave a nervous
sob. The bridegroom turned and smiled in the direction of the voice;
and the doctor, leaning forward, laid his hand on th