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One wedding is monotonously similar to another; and on this occasion there was nothing to distinguish Derrick's and Celia's, save the fact that the bridegroom had only just been acquitted of a criminal charge and had been discovered to be the heir to a marquisate; but the crowd which filled the church and gathered outside, felt these facts to be important ones, and they cheered the bride and bridegroom as they emerged from the church, husband and wife.

But all the same I felt annoyed about the whole business, and was glad to forget it in my own affairs at Mondisfield. Weeks passed by. I lived through a midsummer dream of happiness, and a hard awaking. That, however, has nothing to do with Derrick's story, and may be passed over.

"I'm going. Turn back. Drive to Hooven's, quick." "Better not, Mrs. Annixter," protested the young man. "Mr. Annixter said we were to go to Derrick's. Better keep away from Hooven's if there's trouble there. We wouldn't get there till it's all over, anyhow." "Yes, yes, let's go home," cried Mrs. Derrick, "I'm afraid. Oh, Hilma, I'm afraid." "Come with me to Hooven's then."

Somehow that look in Derrick's eyes compelled her. She put her hands on his shoulders. "Dick stay!" she said. His arms closed round her in a second. "You mean " he said, under his breath. "Yes, Dick," she answered bravely, "I do mean. Dear boy, don't ever look like that again! You have hurt me horribly." Derrick turned her face up to his own and kissed her repeatedly and passionately.

But Derrick's spirits returned at a bound with this further adventure, and he began to rejoice somewhat prematurely in his triumph over Carlyon's caution. The man who had come to his assistance kept at his elbow throughout the climb. Not a word was spoken. The men moved like cats through the dimness. Below them was a confused din of rifle-firing. Their advance had evidently not been detected.

"Or a cousin or an aunt?" suggested the old man, naively unconscious that the words sounded like a quotation. I saw the ghost of a smile flit over Derrick's harassed face as he shook his head. "I suggested that he should go into some Home for cases of the kind," resumed the doctor, "or place himself under the charge of some medical man; however, he won't hear of such a thing.

In the matter of an early marriage, both Derrick's father and he whom we have known as the Marquess, were on Derrick's side; indeed, the sick man was, if possible, more anxious than the others that the wedding should take place without delay. "I want everything settled before before I go, Wilfred," he said. "Something of the burden on my mind not all!

Emmeline's fears returned; she half expected an outbreak of violence. The man was growing very nervous, and his muscles showed the working of strong emotion. 'I have given her no such advice, Mr. Cobb, she answered, with an attempt at calm dignity. 'Miss Derrick's private affairs don't at all concern me. In such matters as this she is really quite old enough to judge for herself.

Then, rejoined Mumford, let this be the last word of a difference as hateful to him as to her. And he left the room. His wife did not linger more than a minute behind him, and she sat in the drawing-room to await Miss Derrick's return; Mumford kept apart in what was called the library.

"Yes," said Wisbech, "I heard, and it seems to me Derrick's right in one respect. Though I don't know how far it accounts for the other fact he has just impressed on you, Miss Waynefleet certainly possesses a considerable amount of sense. She is also a young lady I have a high opinion of. Still, if he had gone back to the Bush merely because you insisted on it, I think I should have cast him off."