"Ah." Lady Sophia hugged herself. "I might have expected that. You never, never will face the truth."
"What is the truth?" asked Haken, his eyes twinkling, and putting the question of Pilate.
"The truth," said his wife majestically, "is that Prelice must have been changed at nurse. He has not the feelings of his ancestors."
"I have their gout, however," said Prelice humorously. "What possible objection can you have to my marrying. Aunt Sophia?"
"It's not the marriage itself I object to, Prelice, but to the bride you choose. You know that well."
"There won't be a prettier bride in the Three Kingdoms than Mona."
"I am quite sure there won't," said his aunt spitefully, "if she only gets as far as the altar."
"The communion-rails, you mean. I'll do my best to bring her there."
"Not in my presence, Prelice."
"All right. We'll have a quiet wedding."