Then the host advanced toward her, saying, courteously:
“Madame, will you honor us by becoming the witness to a ceremony of marriage?”
Mrs. Varian inclined her proud, dark head in assent, and moved gracefully forward toward the young couple who stood before the minister, the girl bashful and trembling, the man pale, but with an eager smile on his handsome face.
The next moment a startled cry rang on the air.
“Arthur!”
The young man dropped Cinthia’s hand and looked around.
“Mother!” in surprise.
“Oh, Arthur! what is the meaning of this strange scene?” she cried, coming up between him and Cinthia.
The young man laughed easily, soon getting over his surprise, and answered:
“It means, mother, that Mr. Dawn refused to give me Cinthia, so we took the bit between our teeth and ran away. But how came you here? You did not pursue us, did you, dear?”