He
puts his head in at the window of the cab; he possesses himself of the
bride's hand; he speaks in a whisper; he is apparently not to be shaken
off. The little lady exerts her authority, separates the clasped hands,
pushes the bridegroom away, and cries peremptorily to the driver to go
on. The cab starts; the deserted husband drifts desolately anyhow down
the street. The clerk, who has seen it all, goes back to the vestry and
reports what has happened.
The rector (with his wife on his arm) has just dropped into the vestry
on business in passing. He and the curate are talking about the strange
marriage. The rector, gravely bent on ascertaining that no blame rests
with the church, interrogates, and is satisfied. The rector's wife is
not so easy to deal with. She has looked at the signatures in the book.
One of the names is familiar to her. She cross-examines the clerk as
soon as her husband is done with him. When she hears of the coronet on
the handkerchief she points to the signature of "Louisa Winwood," and
says to the rector, "I know who it is! Lord Winwood's second wife.
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