"I should scarcely imagine Captain Monck to be one of them," she said.

"He is obviously here as a matter of form to-night.

The best man must be civil to the bride--whatever his feelings." Lady Harriet's face cleared a little, although her estimate of Mrs.
Burton's opinion was not a very high one.

"That may account for Captain Dacre's extremely complacent attitude," she said.

"He regards the attentions paid to his _fiancee_ as a tribute to himself." "He may change his point of view when he is married," laughed Mrs.
Ermsted.