Part 43 (1/2)
”Dear Aunt 'Gina,” she said; ”you know you loved coming; because you enjoy a mystery, and like being a dear old 'deus ex machina,' at the right moment. And he is going to marry them both; because they both love him far too dearly ever to leave him again; and he seems to think he cannot do without either.”
The d.u.c.h.ess looked at the two radiant faces; one sightless; the other, with glad proud eyes for both; and her own filled with tears.
”Hoity-toity!” she said. ”Are we in Salt Lake City? Well, we always thought one girl would not do for Dal; he would need the combined perfections of several; and he appears to think he has found them. G.o.d bless you both, you absurdly happy people; and I will bless you, too; but not until I have dined. Now, ring for that very nervous person, with side-whiskers; and tell him I want my maid, and my room, and I want to know where they have put my toucan. I had to bring him, Jane.
He is so LOVING, dear bird! I knew you would think him in the way; but I really could not leave him behind.”
CHAPTER x.x.xVII
”IN THE FACE OF THIS CONGREGATION”
The society paragraphs would have described it as ”a very quiet wedding,” when Garth and Jane, a few days later, were p.r.o.nounced ”man and wife together,” in the little Episcopal church among the hills.
Perhaps, to those who were present, it stands out rather as an unusual wedding, than as a quiet one.
To Garth and Jane the essential thing was to be married, and left to themselves, with as little delay as possible. They could not be induced to pay any attention to details as to the manner in which this desired end was to be attained. Jane left it entirely to the doctor, in one practical though casual sentence: ”Just make sure it is valid, d.i.c.ky; and send us in the bills.”
The d.u.c.h.ess, being a true conservative, early began mentioning veils, orange-blossom, and white satin; but Jane said: ”My dear Aunt! Fancy me--in orange-blossom! I should look like a Christmas pantomime. And I never wear veils, even in motors; and white satin is a form of clothing I have always had the wisdom to avoid.”
”Then in what do you intend to be married, unnatural girl?” inquired the d.u.c.h.ess.
”In whatever I happen to put on, that morning,” replied Jane, knotting the silk of a soft crimson cord she was knitting; and glancing out of the window, to where Garth sat smoking, on the terrace.
”Have you a time-table?” inquired her Grace of Meldrum, with dangerous calmness. ”And can you send me to the station this afternoon?”
”We can always send to the station, at a moment's notice,” said Jane, working in a golden strand, and considering the effect. ”But where are you going, dear Aunt 'Gina? You know Deryck and Flower arrive this evening.”
”I am was.h.i.+ng my hands of you, and going South,” said the d.u.c.h.ess, wrathfully.
”Don't do that, dear,” said Jane, placidly. ”You have washed your hands of me so often; and, like the blood of King Duncan of Scotland, I am upon them still. 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.'” Then, raising her voice: ”Garth, if you want to walk, just give a call. I am here, talking over my trousseau with Aunt 'Gina.”
”What is a trousseau?” came back in Garth's happy voice.
”A thing you get into to be married,” said Jane.
”Then let's get into it quickly,” shouted Garth, with enthusiasm.
”Dear Aunt,” said Jane, ”let us make a compromise. I have some quite nice clothes upstairs, including Redfern tailor-mades, and several uniforms. Let your maid look through them, and whatever you select, and she puts out in readiness on my wedding morning, I promise to wear.”
This resulted in Jane appearing at the church in a long blue cloth coat and skirt, handsomely embroidered with gold, and suiting her large figure to perfection; a deep yellow vest of brocaded silk; and old lace ruffles at neck and wrists.
Garth was as anxious about his wedding garments, as Jane had been indifferent over hers; but he had so often been in requisition as best-man at town weddings, that Simpson had no difficulty in turning him out in the acme of correct bridal attire. And very handsome he looked, as he stood waiting at the chancel steps; not watching for his bride; but obviously listening for her; for, as Jane came up the church on Deryck's arm, Garth slightly turned his head and smiled.
The d.u.c.h.ess--resplendent in purple satin and ermine, with white plumes in her bonnet, and many jewelled chains depending from her, which rattled and tinkled, in the silence of the church, every time she moved--was in a front pew on the left, ready to give her niece away.
In a corresponding seat, on the opposite side, as near as possible to the bridegroom, sat Margery Graem, in black silk, with a small quilted satin bonnet, and a white lawn kerchief folded over the faithful old heart which had beaten in tenderness for Garth since his babyhood. She turned her head anxiously, every time the d.u.c.h.ess jingled; but otherwise kept her eyes fixed on the marriage service, in a large-print prayer-book in her lap. Margery was not used to the Episcopal service, and she had her ”doots” as to whether it could possibly be gone through correctly, by all parties concerned. In fact this anxiety of old Margery's increased so painfully when the ceremony actually commenced, that it took audible form; and she repeated all the answers of the bridal pair, in an impressive whisper, after them.
Dr. Rob, being the only available bachelor, did duty as best-man; Jane having stipulated that he should not be intrusted with the ring; her previous observations leading her to conclude that he would most probably slip it unconsciously on to his finger, and then search through all his own pockets and all Garth's; and begin taking up the church matting, before it occurred to him to look at his hand. Jane would not have minded the diversion, but she did object to any delay.
So the ring went to church in Garth's waistcoat pocket, where it had lived since Jane brought it out from Aberdeen; and, without any fumbling or hesitation, was quietly laid by him upon the open book.