together, and were answerable for these
consequences--and similarly ignored those walking fashion-plates, Mrs
and Miss Breen. She landed her charge at the appointed hassock, and
quietly facing the clergyman, stood still and dry-eyed amid the usual
tearful flutter, apparently the calmest of the party. But poor Deb
suffered pangs unspeakable, and her excessive dignity was maintained
only by the sternest effort.

In the vestry, after the ceremony, she was introduced by the bride to
her new relations; and Papa Breen, with a great show of magnanimity,
expressed his satisfaction at seeing Miss Pennycuick "on this
suspicious occasion", and formally invited her to what he called "a
little snack" at Menzies', where a gorgeous wedding breakfast had been
prepared at his orders.

"Thank you very much, Mr Breen," she said affably. "It would have given
me great pleasure, but if you will excuse me, I must run home to my
other sisters, whom I left in ignorance of this--this event--which
concerns them so nearly."

"Oh, Deb, DO come!" pleaded the bride.

No; the line had to be drawn somewhere. Deb was very kind, very polite,
very plausible with her excuses; but to Menzies' with those people and
their white-horsed carriage she would not go.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Rose had never been reckoned a person of importance by her family, but
now that she was gone, there remained a terrible emptiness where she
had been. She was one of those unselfish, good-natured members of
households to whom falls the stocking-mending, the errand-going, the
fetching and carrying, the filling of gaps generally; and at every turn
Deb and Frances missed her unobtrusive ministrations, which they had
accepted as as much matters of course as the attentions of the butcher
and baker. It was presently perceived that Keziah missed her too--that
Keziah, who had loyally opposed the plebeian marriage, was become a
turncoat and renegade, blessing where she should have cursed, blaming
where she should have praised--yes, blaming even Queen Deborah, who,
needless to say, took her head off for it.

It had been Keziah's own choice to follow the sisters into exile, and
to share the privations involved in their change of life. She had given
up her Redford luxuries and importance to become a general servant,
with only her kitchen to sit in, for their sakes; and she had
cheerfully abided by her choice--until Rose went. Rose was the one who
had understood the cost of the sacr