“And what are you going to tell me?” he queried.
“It’s a message from Cousin Ilam,” said Pauline. “You haven’t seen him to-day, have you?”
“No. I’ve been very much alone to-day. Juliette’s been away all day—I suppose preparing for the wedding—there’s only a few days left now.”
“Well,” said Pauline, “Cousin Ilam told me to tell you they aren’t going to be married next week.”
“What!” cried Carpentaria, “after all? Why not?”
“Because they were married this morning. They’re already on their honeymoon.”
“And Juliette has played this trick on me?” murmured Carpentaria.
“In any case, the marriage would have had to be very quiet,” said Pauline. “I fancy Cousin Ilam didn’t particularly care for your notion of having a section of your band to play at the church. Anyhow, he wanted the affair absolutely quiet. You know how nervous and self-conscious he is.”
“Now I come to think of it,” Carpentaria said, “Juliette did kiss me this morning rather fervently, and I wondered why.”
“You wonder no longer,” observed Pauline, smiling. “It was just a little plot.”