on on one immaterial detail. The breakfast was to be given at
the King's Head, and, though it was acknowledged on all sides that no
authority could be found for such a practice, it was known that the
bill was to be paid by the bridegroom. Nor would Mr Ruggles pay the
five hundred pounds down as in early days he had promised to do. He
was very clear in his mind that his undertaking on that head was
altogether cancelled by Ruby's departure from Sheep's Acre. When he
was reminded that he had nearly pulled his granddaughter's hair out of
her head, and had thus justified her act of rebellion, he did not
contradict the assertion, but implied that if Ruby did not choose to
earn her fortune on such terms as those, that was her fault. It was
not to be supposed that he was to give a girl, who was after all as
much a Pipkin as a Ruggles, five hundred pounds for nothing. But, in
return for that night's somewhat harsh treatment of Ruby, he did at
last consent to have the money settled upon John Crumb at his death,--
an arrangement which both the lawyer and Joe Mixet thought to be almost
as good as a free gift, being both of them aware that the consumption
of gin and water was on the increase. And he, moreover, was persuaded
to receive Mrs Pipkin and Ruby at the farm for the night previous to
the marriage. This very necessary arrangement was made by Mr Mixet's
mother, a most respectable old lady, who went out in a fly from the
inn attired in her best black silk gown and an overpowering bonnet, an
old lady from whom her son had inherited his eloquence, who absolutely
shamed the old man into compliance,--not, however, till she had
promised to send out the tea and white sugar and box of biscuits which
were thought to be necessary for Mrs Pipkin on the evening preceding
the marriage. A private sitting-room at the inn was secured for the
special accommodation of Mrs Hurtle,--who was supposed to be a lady
of too high standing to be properly entertained at Sheep's Acre Farm.

On the day preceding the wedding one trouble for a moment clouded the
bridegroom's brow. Ruby had demanded that Joe Mixet should not be
among the performers, and John Crumb, with the urbanity of a lover,
had assented to her demand,--as far, at least, as silence can give
consent. And yet he felt himself unable to answer such interrogatories
as the parson might put to him without the assistance of his friend,
although he devoted much study to the matter. 'You could come i