whispers to the rector, who was to perform the ceremony.

A few minutes later, the little party was conducted up the aisle with
the usual murmur of voices and rustle of garments; and, in what seemed
an incredibly--a preposterously--short space of time, the service had
begun.

During the first portion of it Clodagh's eyes never left the brown,
clean-shaven, benevolent face of the rector. Try as she might, she
could not realise that the serious words, pouring forth in the voice
that a lifetime had rendered familiar, could be meant for her who,
until the day of her father's accident, had never personally understood
that life held any serious responsibilities. It was only when the first
solemn question was put to her; and, startled out of her dream, she
responded almost inaudibly, that her eyes turned upon Milbanke standing
opposite to her--earnest, agitated, precise. For one second a sense of
panic seized her; the next, she had blindly extended her left hand in
obedience to the rector's injunction, and felt the chill of the new
gold ring as it was slipped over her third finger.

After that all-important incident, it seemed but a moment before the
ceremony was over, and the whole party gathered together in the vestry.
With a steady hand she signed her name in the register; then, instantly
the act was accomplished, she turned instinctively towards the spot
where Nance was standing.

But before she could reach her sister's side, she was intercepted by
Mrs. Asshlin, who stepped forward, half tearful, half exultant, and
embraced her effusively.

"My dear child!--my dear, dear child!" she murmured disjointedly. "May
your future be very happy!"

Clodagh submitted silently to the embrace; then, as her aunt
reluctantly withdrew into the background, she became conscious of the
old rector's kindly presence. Looking closely into her face, he took
her hand in both his own.

"God bless you, my child!" he said simply. "I did not preach you a
sermon just now, because I do not think you require one. You are a
dutiful child; and I believe that you have found a very worthy
husband."

At the word husband, Clodagh looked up quickly; then her eyes dropped
to her wedding ring.

"Thank you!" she said almost inaudibly. And an instant later Milbanke
stepped forward deferentially and offered her his arm.

In silence they passed down the aisle of the church, in the centre of
which stood the old stone font at which Clodagh had been christ