cried,
with a hysterical laugh. "They don't think so much of that where I came
from. There! I hope you've had enough of me now. Lizzie, you fool, you
spoil-sport, you hateful creature, give me hold of your arm, and let's
go away. We've done you harm, Mr. Cavendish, instead of doing you good,
but that is no fault of mine."

There was a pause as she went out of the vestry, holding Lizzie's arm,
whose sobs were audible all the way down the aisle. It did not last
long, but it was as the silence of death. Then Dick spoke.

"You see how it is. I married her when I was a boy. She deserted me in a
very short time, and I have never seen her from that day to this, nearly
seven years ago. Six weeks since I received information that she was dead.
She tells you it was a trick, a device,--but I--had every reason to
believe it. God knows I wanted to believe it! but I thought I spared no
pains. Then I went to Chatty, whom I had long loved." Here he paused to
regain his voice, which had become almost inaudible. "I thought all was
right. Don't you believe me?" he cried hoarsely, holding out his hands
in appeal. At first his little sister was the only one who responded.
She threw herself weeping upon one of his outstretched arms and clasped
it. Chatty had been put into a chair, where she sat now very pale, under
the white mist of the veil, beginning to realise what it was that had
happened. When she heard the anguish in Dick's voice, she suddenly rose
to her feet, taking them all by surprise. Instinctively the party had
separated into two factions, his side and her side. The group about
Chatty started when she moved, and Theo seized hold almost roughly of
her elbow. But Chatty did not seem sensible of this clutch. She went
forward to the bridegroom so disastrously taken from her, and took his
other hand in hers. "I believe you--with all my heart," Chatty said. "I
blame you for nothing, oh, for nothing. I am sorry--for us both."

"Take her away, mother. The carriage has come round to the vestry door.
Chatty! This is no longer any place for you."

Chatty looked round upon her faction, who were encircling her with dark
or miserable looks. "We are very unfortunate," she said, "but we have
done nothing that is wrong."

"Chatty, O Chatty, my darling, come away. You cannot stay any longer
here."

"What, without a word to Dick, mother! Speak to him. He is the most to
be pitied. We never thought we should have to say good-bye again." Here
s