"You do not understand. How should you? Have you ever seen him in his uniform? He is a picture, and you know," sinking her voice, "his family dates from the Conquest."
The Secretary shrugged his shoulders. He'd had enough of warning people for their own good, so he contented himself with remarking that a disregard for the Decalogue seemed compatible with an unbroken descent from the Norman robber.
"Now you're cynical," she cried, "but I shan't argue with you, for I love him, and we're to be married this morning in the chapel. Everything has been arranged, and in fifteen minutes I shall be his wife."
"That's very interesting," said Stanley. "But where do I come in?"
"I need your help."
"Oh, I see. I suppose that if I'd any real interest in your welfare, I ought to refuse, but as you'd do as you please in any event, I'm quite at your service."
"Thanks. Mamma will be here presently. She's announced her intention of attending early service, and if she does——"
"She might interrupt another, and that would be awkward."
"Dreadfully. She does not wish me to marry Lieutenant Kingsland—I think she would rather I married you."
"Is she so bitter? Well, make your own mind easy, I won't ask her."