Jane said: "I will"; and the deep, tender voice, was the voice of
The Rosary.
When the words were uttered, Garth lifted the hand he held, and
reverently kissed it.
This was not in the rubric, and proved disconcerting to the
clergyman. He threw up his head suddenly, and inquired: "Who giveth
this woman to be married to this man?" And as, for the moment, there
was no response, he repeated, the question wildly; gazing into
distant corners of the church.
Then the duchess, who up to that time had been feeling a little
bored, realised that her moment had come, and rejoiced. She sailed
out of her pew, and advanced to the chancel step. "My dear good
man," she said; "_I_ give my niece away; having come north at
considerable inconvenience for that express purpose. Now, go on.
What do we do next?"
Dr. Rob broke into an uncontrollable chuckle. The duchess lifted her
lorgnette, and surveyed him. Margery searched her prayer-book in
vain for the duchess's response. It did not appear to be there.
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