engaged to marry.

He was ignorant of the plot, and though he might have guessed
it pretty well, he was by no means anxious to lose by
over-inquisitiveness the handsome fee which the young man had
promised. He only chafed at their delay, and when at length they
arrived and entered the sacred edifice he proceeded straightway with
the service, quite as anxious to get it over, so that he might partake
of his breakfast, as were the couple before him, and almost as quickly
as they could have wished.

"Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?" said the parson, as
he gabbled on with the service.

"Aye, I will!" responded Manners, in a clear ringing voice which was
echoed among the rafters of the roof, and he took her to his bosom and
sealed the pledge with a kiss--a proceeding so unusual and peculiar
that the good clergyman opened his eyes and mouth, until finally he
came to a full stop.

"I will!" repeated Manners, addressing the parson, "but why do you
stop?" and he looked suspiciously behind to see if his pursuers had
come to rob him of his prize. There was no one there, however, save a
few rustics, who, prompted by sheer curiosity, had entered the church
and stood lingering just within the sacred portal, and in a few
minutes more the lovers emerged from the little church, safely joined
together in the bonds of holy wedlock, followed by the parson, who
wore a smiling face, inasmuch as he had been rewarded with a gift far
beyond his utmost expectations. But the two lovers were far happier
than he, and with the certificate of marriage, signed, sealed, and
entered in the register, they remounted their steeds and proceeded at
a steady pace to Nottingham Castle, where, the Earl of Rutland having
unexpectedly returned, he extended a right hearty welcome to his
nephew and his beautiful bride.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

PEACE AT LAST.

Nor was she to be found! Her father cried,
"'Tis but to make a trial of his love!"
And filled his glass to all, but his hand shook,
And soon from guest to guest the panic spread.

ROGERS.

Still at Haddon the fun maintained its uproarious course, and amid the
whirl of festivity Dorothy's absence was not remarked.

Sir Edward Stanley was far too elated with the vision of success which
had opened out before him to bore Dorothy with his presence on this
occasion, but in spite of this he rarely let his eyes depart from
watching her.

"Hi, Sir Edward," cried an inquisitiv