anxiously at her brother-in-law, Sir Jacques. It was
strange how even she, who had never particularly
liked Sir Jacques, looked to him for guidance today.

In answer to that look he moved forward a little,
and made a queer little sound, as if clearing his throat.
Then, very deliberately, he addressed the people before
him.

"Before we go upstairs," he began, "I want to
say something to you all. I cannot help noticing that
you all look very sad. Now of course I don't ask
you to try and look gay during the coming half-hour,
but I do earnestly beg of you to try and feel happy.
Above all -- " and he looked directly at Lady Blake
as he spoke -- "above all," he repeated, "I must beg of
you very earnestly indeed to allow yourselves no show
of emotion. We not only hope, but we confidently
expect, that our young friends are beginning today
what will be an exceptionally happy, and -- and----"
he waited for a moment, then apparently found the
word he wanted -- "an exceptionally harmonious married
life. I base that view of what we all believe, not
on any exaggerated notion of what life generally
brings to the average married couple, but on the
knowledge we possess of both these young people's
characters. Nothing can take away from Jervis Blake
his splendid past, and we may reasonably believe that
he is going to have with this sweet, brave young
woman, who loves him so well, a contented future."

Again Sir Jacques paused, and then not less earnestly
he continued: "I want Jervis Blake to look back
on today as on a happy and hallowed day. If anyone
here feels that they will not be able to command them-

[[267]]

p266 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p267w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p268

v?