The time for the wedding sped quickly on. Mr Batfid's establishment
was again visited, and Isaac received a suit of clothes that fitted
him, their maker observed, 'like a gentleman.' Isaac received several
charming letters from his betrothed. She seemed so happy in the
anticipation of their approaching nuptials and their delightful home.
It was arranged that the wedding should be a very quiet one. No one was
to be present but the contracting parties themselves; Angela's brother
and a young-lady friend; Mr Jones (Isaac's best-man); and the officials
of the church. They were to spend their honeymoon in the isle much
frequented by such visitations--that of Wight; and Angela wrote word
that Herbert had engaged a respectable couple to take care of the house
at Brixton until their return home.
A few days before the eventful one fixed for the ceremony, Isaac packed
up what few things he wanted, bade good-bye to Mrs Clappen, told Mr
Jones to be sure to meet him in good time at the church, and finally
started off to his old lodgings--the coffee-house at Islington. The
next morning he visited New West Road and accompanied Angela and her
brother to Brixton. The house, as she had truly described it, was
delightful, and it was, moreover, most charmingly and tastefully
furnished. Isaac was surprised and pleased, though somewhat alarmed
at the (to him) vastness and grandeur of his new residence. On their
return, he spent the evening at New West Road, and was treated to some
of Angela's songs and (as a special favour) a private view of the
wedding-dress.
'There is one thing to be done, Isaac,' Herbert said, just as he was
leaving; 'you have to put your name to the transfer of the lease of
your house. However, that can be done when you come back here after the
ceremony.'
Early on his wedding morning, Isaac was up and dressed. He could not
indeed afford to be very late, for the ceremony was fixed for ten
o'clock. At nine he suddenly remembered that he wanted a wedding-ring,
so ran as fast as he could to the nearest jeweller's and bought one,
the size of which he was obliged to chance. His ruling passion was
strong even in these circumstances; for he contrived to beat the
jeweller down a point in price, and made him promise to exchange the
ring at any future time if it did not fit. He reached the church (which
was close to Miss Faithful's residence) in good time, and found Herbert
outside waiting to see him. Mr Jones was also in readiness, and the
clergyman had just arrived in the vestry.
'I am glad you are come, Isaac,' said Herbert. 'I did not ask you about
the license. I suppose you have it all right?'
'No; I haven't it,' answered Isaac.--'I understood that you would get
it.'
'I? Why, surely you know that it must be obtained by one of the persons
who are about to use it!'
Herbert was evidently vexed. 'Pray, have you only come here to make
fools of us? I don't see what other interpretation is to be put on your
conduct.'
'I am very sorry,' said poor Isaac meekly, 'but I didn't know about it.
What can I do?'
'Do!' Herbert returned. 'The only thing you can do is for you and your
friend to get a Hansom and go to Doctors' Commons as quickly as you can
and get a license, and to be back here as much before twelve o'clock as
possible. Meanwhile we will go back to the house and wait.'
So a cab was procured, and the bridegroom and his friend started off.
Fortunately Jones had been to Doctors' Commons before, so that not much
time was lost in its intricacies.