Despite the archaeological attractions of Saint Mary's Church, the
bridegroom began to grow impatient With such a bride before him, no
wonder he wished quick conduct to the altar!
And there was reason too, on account of the long detention. At such a
crisis the shortest delay was difficult to be endured.
It mattered but little that he knew the cause; for he did know it.
Summoned at eleven o'clock, he had been there at the appointed time; but
to find that he and his bride were not the only couple to be made happy
on that same day, and at the same hour! There was a party that had
precedence of his!
On first coming into the church, he had seen signs of it--women in white
dresses and drooping veils, with flower fillets upon their hair.
He had only glanced at them in passing. His own bride was not among
them; and his eyes were only for her!
While registering his name in the vestry, he had learned incidentally,
that not one, but two couples were to be married before him, both
together! He was told that the parties were friends.
This information was imparted by the officiating curate; who, after
giving it, hurried off to perform the ceremony of making four hearts
happy at one and the same time.
As Maynard and his groomsman returned into the church, they saw standing
before the altar, in crescent shape, a row of ladies and gentlemen.
There were in all eight of them--two brides, two bridegrooms, with a
like number of "maids" and "men."
It was only after again saluting his own bride, and feasting his eyes
upon her beauty, that it occurred to him to take a look at those whose
happiness was by some ten minutes to take precedence of his.
His first glance caused him a singular impression. It was almost
ludicrous from the coincidence that declared itself.
Count Roseveldt was standing before the shrine, with Ladislaus Teleky by
his side, at the same instant recognised by the man at Maynard's side--
his cousin!
But who was the lady on Roseveldt's left, holding him by the hand?
_Cornelia Inskip_!
Another coincidence; still another was in store for him; equally strange
and far more startling!
Following the crescent curvature, he scrutinised the couple on Count
Roseveldt's right. They were the other two standing up to be married.
It was with difficulty he could restrain an ejaculation, on recognising
Julia Girdwood as the bride, and Richard Swinton the bridegroom!
With an effort he controlled himself. It was no business of his; and he
only made the muttered remark:--"Poor girl! there's something noble
about her. What a pity she should throw herself away on such a scamp as
Dick Swinton!"
Maynard knew only _some_ of Dick Swinton's antecedents. He had no
suspicion that the ex-guardsman was at that moment in the act of
committing _bigamy_!
It had not yet reached fulfilment. It was upon the verge of it. As
Maynard stood in speechless contemplation, the clergyman came to that
solemn question, proceeding from his lips in the form of a demand:--
"_I require and charge of you in the... if either of you know any
impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye
do now confess it_."
There was the usual interval of silence, but not so long as is usual.
It was shortened by a response, a thing altogether unusual! This came
not from bride or bridegroom, but a third party, who suddenly appeared
upon the scene!
A woman, young and beautiful, well-dressed, but with a wild look in her
eye, and anger in her every movement, shot out from behind one of the
supporting columns, and hastily approached the altar! She was followed
by two men, who appeared to act under her orders.
"If they don't know any impediment, I do," cried she; "one that will
hinder them from being joined in matrimony. I mean these two!" she
added, pointing to Swinton and Julia!
"On what ground do you interfere?" gasped the clergyman, as soon as he
had recovered from the shock of surprise. "Speak, woman!"
"On the ground that this man is married already. He is my husband, and
would have been my _murderer_, but for--Here, men!" she commanded,
dropping the explanatory tone as she turned to the two plain-clothes
policemen who attended her, "take this gentleman in charge, and see that
you keep him in safe custody. This is your warrant."
The two representatives of the executive did not stay to examine the
piece of stamped paper. They were already acquainted with its
character; and before the bigamous bridegroom could speak a word of
protest, their horny hands were laid upon his shoulder, ready, at
resistance, to clutch him by the collar!
He made none--not even a show of it. He looked like a man suddenly
thunderstruck--trembling from head to foot; and, trembling, he was
conducted out of the church! It is not in the power of the pen to
describe the scene he had so unwillingly forsaken. The tableau, of
which he had formed part, was broken up by his involuntary departure.
It became transformed into a crowd--a confusion of talking men and
shrieking women.
Julia Girdwood was not among them. At the first interruption of the
ceremony, by that excited intruder, she had comprehended all. Some
instinct seemed to warn her of her woe; and guided by it, she glided out
of the church, and took solitary shelter in a carriage that was to have
borne her home a bride, with a husband by her side!
A new tableau, with characters all changed, was soon after formed in
front of the altar.
It was not disturbed, till after Captain Maynard had placed the ring on
Blanche Vernon's finger, saluted her as his wedded wife, and listened to
the prayer that sanctified their union!
Then there was a hand-shaking all round, a kissing on the part of pretty
bridesmaids, a rustling of silk dresses as they filed out of the church,
a getting into grand carriages, and then off to the aunt's residence in
Kensington Gore!
That same evening a gentleman travelled to Tunbridge Wells, with a lady
by his side, on whose finger glittered a plain gold ring newly placed
there. It was not lonely for them, having a whole carriage to
themselves. They were the most contented couple in the train!