'Vulgarians generally are, I believe,' answered Brian lightly. 'At least, one is always told as much. It is hard that the educated classes should monopolize all the cold hearts. Vulgar but warm-hearted—misplaces her aspirates—but affectionate! That is the kind of thing one is told when Achilles marries a housemaid. Never mind, Ida, dearest, I feel sure I shall like your father; and for his sake I will try to make myself agreeable to his wife. And your little brother is perfection. I have heard enough about him from those dear lips of yours.'
'He is a darling little fellow, and I long to see him again. How I wish they could all be with me to-morrow!'
'It would make our wedding more domestic, but don't you think it would vulgarize it a little?' said Brian. 'There is something so sweet to me in the idea of you and me alone in that little church, with no witnesses but the clerk and the pew-opener.'
'And God!' said Ida, looking upward.
'Did you ever read the discourses of Colonel Bob Ingersoll?' asked Brian, smiling at her.
'No; what has that to do with it?'
'He has curious ideas of omnipotence; and I fancy he would say that the Infinite Being who made every shining star is hardly likely to be on the look-out for our wedding.'
'He cares for the lilies and the sparrows.'
'That's a gospel notion. Colonel Bob is not exactly a gospel teacher,'
'Then don't you learn of him, Brian,' said Ida, earnestly.