“Quite so, Father. Anything might happen either before or after; but still, with your leave, I think that in this case we may as well certify first; you might want to be getting away, and it will save so much trouble later. Will you be so kind as to write your certificate?”
Father Thomas hesitated, while Ramiro gently clinked the gold coins in his hand and murmured,
“I should be sorry to think, Father, that you had taken such a rough journey for nothing.”
“What trick are you at now?” growled the priest. “Well, after all it is a mere form. Give me the names.”
Ramiro gave them; Father Thomas scrawled them down, adding some words and his own signature, then said, “There you are, that will hold good against anyone except the Pope.”
“A mere form,” repeated Ramiro, “of course. But the world attaches so much importance to forms, so I think that we will have this one witnessed—No, not by myself, who am an interested party—by someone independent,” and calling Hague Simon and the waiting-woman he bade them set their names at the foot of the documents.
“Papers signed in advance—fees paid in advance!” he went on, handing over the money, “and now, just one more glass to drink the health of the bride and bridegroom, also in advance. You will not refuse, nor you, worthy Simon, nor you, most excellent Abigail. Ah! I thought not, the night is cold.”
“And the brandy strong,” muttered the priest thickly, as this third dose of raw spirit took effect upon him. “Now get on with the business, for I want to be out of this hole before the flood comes.”
“Quite so. Friends, will you be so good as to summon my son and the lady? The lady first, I think—and all three of you might go to escort her. Brides sometimes consider it right to fain a slight reluctance—you understand? On second thoughts, you need not trouble the Señor Adrian. I have a new words of ante-nuptial advice to offer, so I will go to him.”
A minute later father and son stood face to face. Adrian leaped up; he shook his fist, he raved and stormed at the cold, impassive man before him.