Francis Markrute's moral antennae upon which he prided himself informed him that all was not as it should be between this young bride and bridegroom.

Zara seemed to have acquired in this short week even an extra air of regal dignity, aided by her perfect clothes; and Tristram looked stern, and less joyous and more haughty than he had done.

And they were both so deadly cold, and certainly constrained! It was not one of the financier's habits ever to doubt himself or his deductions.

They were based upon far too sound reasoning.

No, if something had gone wrong or had not yet evolutionized it was only for the moment and need cause no philosophical _deus ex machina_ any uneasiness.
For it was morally and physically impossible that such a perfectly developed pair of the genus human being could live together in the bonds of marriage, and not learn to love.
Meanwhile, it was his business as the friend and uncle of the two to be genial and make things go on greased wheels.
So he exerted himself to talk at dinner--their dinner _a trois_--.