ionable chronicler of a slight
disturbance which occurred at St. George's, and which was indeed out
of the province of such a genteel purveyor of news. Before the marriage
service began, a woman of vulgar appearance and disorderly aspect,
accompanied by two scared children who took no part in the disorder
occasioned by their mother's proceeding, except by their tears and
outcries to augment the disquiet, made her appearance in one of the pews
of the church, was noted there by persons in the vestry, was requested
to retire by a beadle, and was finally induced to quit the sacred
precincts of the building by the very strongest persuasion of a couple
of policemen; X and Y laughed at one another, and nodded their heads
knowingly as the poor wretch with her whimpering boys was led away. They
understood very well who the personage was who had come to disturb the
matrimonial ceremony; it did not commence until Mrs. De Lacy (as this
lady chose to be called) had quitted this temple of Hymen. She slunk
through the throng of emblazoned carriages, and the press of footmen
arrayed as splendidly as Solomon in his glory. John jeered at Thomas,
William turned his powdered head, and signalled Jeames, who
answered with a corresponding grin, as the woman with sobs, and wild
imprecations, and frantic appeals, made her way through the splendid
crowd escorted by her aides-de-camp in blue. I dare say her little
history was discussed at many a dinner-table that day in the basement
story of several fashionable houses. I know that at clubs in St. James's
the facetious little anecdote was narrated. A young fellow came to
Bays's after the marriage breakfast and mentioned the circumstance with
funny comments; although the Morning Post, in describing this affair in
high life, naturally omitted all mention of such low people as Mrs. De
Lacy and her children.

Those people who knew the noble families whose union had been celebrated
by such a profusion of grandees, fine equipages, and footmen, brass
bands, brilliant toilets, and wedding favours, asked how it was that
Lord Kew did not assist at Barnes Newcome's marriage; other persons in
society inquired waggishly why Jack Belsize was not present to give Lady
Clara away.

As for Jack Belsize, his clubs had not been ornamented by his presence
for a year past. It was said he had broken the bank at Hombourg last
autumn; had been heard of during the winter at Milan, Venice, and
Vienna; and when, a few mont