That was a thing long since determined.
Yet it would have been some comfort to her to have had Richard at her side; it would have lent her strength to have had his kiss of thanks for the holocaust which for him she was making of all that a woman holds most dear and sacred.

But Richard was away--he had been absent since yesterday, and none could tell her where he tarried.
With Lady Horton and Diana she took her way to Saint Mary's Church at noon, and there she found Mr.Wilding--very fine in a suit of sky-blue satin, laced with silver--awaiting her.

And with him was old Lord Gervase Scoresby, his friend and cousin, the very incarnation of benignity and ruddy health.
For a wonder Nick Trenchard was not at Mr.Wilding's side.

But Nick had definitely refused to be of the party, emphasizing his refusal by certain choice reflections wholly unflattering to the married state.
Some idlers of the town were the only witnesses--and little did they guess the extent of the tragedy they were witnessing.

There was no music, and the ceremony was brief and soon at an end.