Gudule, where, at the moment of nearing the cathedral, a wedding party emerged from the porch and crossed in front of uncle and niece.
'I hope,' said the former, in his passionless way, 'we shall see a performance of this sort between you and Captain De Stancy, not so very long after our return to England.' 'Why ?' asked Paula, following the bride with her eyes.
'It is diplomatically, as I may say, such a highly correct thing--such an expedient thing--such an obvious thing to all eyes.' 'Not altogether to mine, uncle,' she returned.
''Twould be a thousand pities to let slip such a neat offer of adjusting difficulties as accident makes you in this.

You could marry more tin, that's true; but you don't want it, Paula.

You want a name, and historic what-do-they-call-it.

Now by coming to terms with the captain you'll be Lady De Stancy in a few years: and a title which is useless to him, and a fortune and castle which are in some degree useless to you, will make a splendid whole useful to you both.' 'I've thought it over--quite,' she answered.

'And I quite see what the advantages are.