Alice uttered a cry of delight as she noticed what, to her childish fancy, appeared to be the slow-match of a fire-work.

Taking a lucifer match in her hand she approached the fuse.

She hesitated a moment.

What would her mother and her nurse say?
Suddenly the ringing of the chimes of Sloperton parish church met her ear.

Alice knew that the sound signified that the marriage party had entered the church, and that she was secure from interruption.