"And one wishes they didn't," concluded Mark.
"The modern wedding," said Mr. Garrett suddenly, "I look upon as the surviving relic of a barbarous age. It is iniquitous that a contract between two private parties should be made the excuse for a public display, an incontinent gathering together of incongruous multitudes, for the mere purposes of gaping and staring. To my mind, there should be no other ceremony than the verbal plighting of troth, given in the presence of two witnesses, upon the bare, open heath——"
"We haven't any bare, open heaths round Culmouth," interposed Julian hastily.
"I was thinking of the customs in my ain countree," said Mr. Garrett morosely.
A rather blighted silence fell upon the room.
It was broken by the wailing voice of Ambrose, whom everyone had forgotten.
"Aren't we ever going to have tea?"
"Good gracious, I'd forgotten all about it!" cried Iris, exaggeratedly aghast. "Ruthie darling, do go and see if Sarah can let us have tea at once. We shall be seven."
Sir Julian made earnest attempts and Lady Rossiter polite feints, at leaving the villa on the instant.
"You must stay," said Iris piteously, "because everything is so awful that I know I'm going to scream presently."