selves, then I beg him or her most strongly to stay
away."

He turned and opened the door behind him, and
as he did so, his sister-in-law heard him mutter to
himself: "Of course at the great majority of weddings
if the people present knew what was going to come
afterwards, they would do nothing but cry. But this
is not that sort of wedding, thank God!"

Sir Jacques and old Anna came last up the stair-
case leading to Jervis Blake's room. He and the old
German woman were on very friendly terms. Before
the War Sir Jacques had been in constant correspondence
with two eminent German surgeons, and
as a young man he had spent a year of study in
Vienna. He now addressed a few cheerful, heartening
remarks in German to Rose's old nurse, winding
up rather peremptorily with the words: "There must
be no tears. There is here only matter for rejoicing."
And Anna, in a submissive whisper, had answered,
"Ja! Ja!"

And then, as she walked last into the room, Anna
uttered a guttural expression of delighted surprise,
for it was as if every hothouse flower in Witanbury
had been gathered to do honour to the white-clad,
veiled figure who now stood, with downcast eyes, by
the bridegroom's bedside.

The flowers were Mr. Robey's gift. He had gone
out quite early that morning and had pressed all
those of his acquaintances who had greenhouses, as
well as the flower shops in Witanbury, under contribution;
and the delicate, bright colouring with which
the room was now filled gave a festive, welcoming
air to this bridal chamber.

[[268]]

p267 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p268w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p269

v?