"Here? Why, my dearest Marian, where would you wish it to be?"
"Oh, I should like us to go away to some quiet little place where we were neither of us known, and just walk into the church----"
"And just smuggle through the ceremony and slip away, so that no one should see you were marrying a man old enough to be your father! Is that it, pet? I ought to feel highly complimented, and----"
"Please, not even in joke! No, no; you know what I mean. I cannot explain it, but----"
"I know exactly, darling, but we can't help it. If you wish it, the wedding shall be perfectly quiet, only just ourselves; but it must take place here, and I don't suppose our good neighbours would let it pass off without some demonstration of their regard, whatever we might say to them. By the way, I mentioned it to the girls this morning."
"And what did they say?" Marian asked with, for her, rather unusual eagerness. "Or, rather, what did Maude say; for Gertrude, of course, merely echoed her sister?"
"Poor Gerty!" said Mr. Creswell, smiling; "hitherto she has not displayed much originality. Oh, Maude was very affectionate indeed; came over and kissed me, and wished me all happiness. And, as you say, of course Gertrude did and said ditto. Have they--have they said anything to you?"
"Not a word. I have scarcely seen them since yesterday."
"Ah! They'll take an opportunity of coming to you. I know they are delighted at anything which they think will conduce to my happiness."
"Perhaps they don't think that your marrying me will have that effect," said Marian with a half smile.