You would hardly suspect now," he continued, in a confidential tone, "that what you were so desirous a while ago should take place, has in some sense actually happened, and that the marriage ceremony has really passed betwixt your sister and this pretended Lord Etherington ?" "Have a care, sir!" said Mowbray, fiercely; "do not abuse my candour--this is no place, time, or subject, for impertinent jesting." "As I live by bread, I am serious," said Touchwood; "Mr.Cargill performed the ceremony; and there are two living witnesses who heard them say the words, 'I, Clara, take you, Francis,' or whatever the Scottish church puts in place of that mystical formula." "It is impossible," said Mowbray; "Cargill dared not have done such a thing--a clandestine proceeding, such as you speak of, would have cost him his living.

I'll bet my soul against a horse-shoe, it is all an imposition; and you come to disturb me, sir, amid my family distress, with legends that have no more truth in them than the Alkoran." "There are some true things in the Alkoran, (or rather, the Koran, for the Al is merely the article prefixed,) but let that pass--I will raise your wonder higher before I am done.

It is very true, that your sister was indeed joined in marriage with this same Bulmer, that calls himself by the title of Etherington; but it is just as true, that the marriage is not worth a maravedi, for she believed him at the time to be another person--to be, in a word, Francis Tyrrel, who is actually what the other pretends to be, a nobleman of fortune." "I cannot understand one word of all this," said Mowbray.

"I must to my sister instantly, and demand of her if there be any real foundation for these wonderful averments." "Do not go," said Touchwood, detaining him, "you shall have a full explanation from me; and to comfort you under your perplexity, I can assure you that Cargill's consent to celebrate the nuptials, was only obtained by an aspersion thrown on your sister's character, which induced him to believe that speedy marriage would be the sole means of saving her reputation; and I am convinced in my own mind it is only the revival of this report which has furnished the foundation of Lady Penelope's chattering." "If I could think so"-- said Mowbray, "if I could but think this is truth--and it seems to explain, in some degree, my sister's mysterious conduct--if I could but think it true, I should fall down and worship you as an angel from heaven!" "A proper sort of angel," said Touchwood, looking modestly down on his short, sturdy supporters--"Did you ever hear of an angel in boot-hose?
Or, do you suppose angels are sent to wait on broken-down horse-jockeys ?" "Call me what you will, Mr.Touchwood," said the young man, "only make out your story true, and my sister innocent!" "Very well spoken, sir," answered the senior, "very well spoken! But then I understand, you are to be guided by my prudence and experience?
None of your G-- damme doings, sir--your duels or your drubbings.

Let _me_ manage the affair for you, and I will bring you through with a flowing sail." "Sir, I must feel as a gentleman,"-- said Mowbray.
"Feel as a fool," said Touchwood, "for that is the true case.