"You ask me," he said, "why I do not perform the ceremony and marry
these two young people whose hearts love has united. I do not dare to do
it until I understand the meaning of this strange paper I hold in my
hand. What do you remember," he said to Stephen, "of a singular game of
a wedding ceremony played one evening last summer?"

The young man looked uncomprehending for a moment, then drew his breath
sharply.

"That?" he said, "Why, that was only to give an example of something we
were talking about; that was nothing. Mistress,"--he stopped and glanced
at Elizabeth who, leaning forward, was hanging upon every word of his
denial as if it were music--"Mistress Royal knows that was so."

"Yes," cried Elizabeth, "indeed I do."

"Nevertheless," returned Mr. Shurtleff, "it may have been a jest to be
eternally remembered, as all light-minded treatment of serious matters
must be. I hope with all my heart that a moment's frivolity will not
have life-long consequences of sorrow, but I cannot proceed in this
happy ceremony that I have been called here to perform until the point
is settled beyond dispute."

"See how habit rules him like a second nature," whispered Colonel
Pepperrell aside to the Governor. "Nobody but a minister would stop to
give a homily with those poor creatures before him in an agony of
suspense."

"My dear," said his wife softly in a tone of reproof, laying her hand
warningly on his arm.

"Stephen Archdale isn't the man to stand this," retorted the Governor in
a higher key than he realized. But the words did not reach their object,
for he had already laid hold of the paper in Mr. Shurtleffs hand.

"If this paper explains your conduct, give it to me," he said haughtily.

The other drew back.

"I will read it to you and to the company," he answered. "There can be
no wedding this morning. I trust there will be soon. But first it is my
personal duty to look into this matter."

Katie, whose face had grown rigid, swung heavily against Stephen. "She
has fainted," her mother cried coming forward.

"Take her away," commanded the Colonel. "This is no place for her." But
the girl clung to Stephen.

"I will stay," she said, with a tearless sob. "I must listen. I see it
all, and what he meant, too, that evil man."

"Master Shurtleff," cried the Governor, "I command you to make all this
clear to us at once. If that paper in your hand tells us the cause of
your refusal to marry these young people, I bi