She kissed Dorothy; she would have kissed Richard had not that gentleman plainly lacked the fortitude required for so embarrassing a ceremony.
Having pressed her maternal lips to Dorothy's forehead, Mrs.
Hanway-Harley remarked that it was good of the young lovers to bring their plans to her.

She realized, however, that it was no more than a polite formality, for the affair long before had been taken out of her hands.

Her consent to their wedding would sound hollow, even ludicrous, under the circumstances; still, such as it was, she freely granted it.
Her objection had been the poverty of Mr.Storms, and that objection was disregarded.

Mrs.Hanway-Harley could do no more; they would wed, and in later years, while being ground in the mills of a dollarless experience, they might justify the wisdom of her objection.

In this gracious fashion did Mrs.Hanway-Harley sanction the union of her only daughter Dorothy with Mr.Richard Storms; after which she folded her matronly hands in resignation, bearing meanwhile the manner of one who will face the worst bravely and hopes that others are prepared to do the same.
Dorothy was quite affected, and hung round the neck of Mrs.
Hanway-Harley, shedding copious tears.