"So it is--partly," said Reggie. "You see, you're filling the bill so

eminently satisfactorily. Between you and me, it isn't often that the

hero in real life--in real life and out of fiction, mind you!--finishes

up the last chapter looking absurdly happy in a frock coat and lavender

trousers. You're the most satisfying 'hero' I've ever met with. And as

to the bride--well, you wouldn't be married this morning, old chap, if I

sat down right here and told you what I think of her."

"But you've told me already," said Derrick, laying his hand on Reggie's

shoulder and shaking him affectionately.

To Lady Gridborough's intense satisfaction and delight, the sun shone

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brightly on Celia who, as the oldest inhabitant declared, was the most

beautiful bride that had ever stood before the altar of the old church.

One wedding is monotonously similar to another; and on this occasion

there was nothing to distinguish Derrick's and Celia's, save the fact

that the bridegroom had only just been acquitted of a criminal charge

and had been discovered to be the heir to a marquisate; but the crowd

which filled the church and gathered outside, felt these facts to be

important ones, and they cheered the bride and bridegroom as they

emerged from the church, husband and wife.

In the circumstances, it was not possible that there should be any

festivities at the Hall--they would come later, all felt, when the happy

couple returned from their honeymoon. There was an affecting scene when

Derrick and Celia stood beside the bed of the injured man. But as he

took Derrick's hand, and signed to Celia to bend down that he might kiss

her, there was, plainly, an expression of relief in the dying man's

wasted face. The great wrong had been set right; the elder brother

restored to his own, his son, this handsome, erect young fellow, with

the frank and honest eyes, established, or on the way to being

established, as the heir.

The old man, lying there, a statesman and an aristocrat, recognized the

responsibilities of his position, all that was due to the great family

of which he had supposed himself the head; and that due was now being

paid. As he blessed them both, his hand sought that of his elder

brother, whom he had put in his proper place, and his eyes turned

affectionately, restfully, to his.

Of course, Lady Gridborough and Reggie had been invited to the

breakfast, which was disposed of somewhat hurriedly; for there was a

train to catch. There were no speeches; they were not necessary; Lady

Gridborough did most of the talking, breaking off now and then,

sometimes to smile happily at Derrick and Celia, at others to wipe her

eyes; for Lady Gridborough, at a wedding, was always hovering between

smiles and tears.




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