With some careful questioning, to satisfy himself that, so evidently at the gate of death she yet knew perfectly her own mind,—and not without some shakes of the head revealing disapprobation, the minister did as he was requested, and wrote a certificate of the fact, which was duly signed and witnessed.
And if he showed his disapproval yet more in the prayer with which he concluded the ceremony, none but mistress Brookes showed responsive indignation.
The bridegroom gave his bride one gentle kiss, and withdrew with the clergyman.
“Pardon me if I characterize this as a strange proceeding!” said the latter.
“Not so strange perhaps as it looks, sir!” said Donal.
“On the very brink of the other world!”
“The other world and its brink too are his who ordained marriage!”
“For this world only,” said the minister.
“The gifts of God are without repentance,” said Donal.
“I have heard of you!” returned the clergyman. “You are one, they tell me, given to misusing scripture.”