That pause must have lasted some thirty seconds; but to those in waiting it seemed an hour. Laura's eyes were not cast down, but flashing fiercely, and the hand at her heart--the icy cold hand--now moved as if to clutch it, when she drew a long sighing breath of relief; for though hurt at the apparent neglect, she was once more elate and proud; for a voice at the entry was heard to cry, "Here they come!" and overbearing the whispers of the expectant crowd could be heard the rapid beat of galloping horses and the whirl of wheels. "They're a-coming down the road as hard as ever they can gallop," whispered a man at one of the windows which commanded the way to Blandfield. "But is it them?" said another aloud. "Them! Of course it is; chariot and four; blue and silver. And, my word, how they are going it!" It was an insult, certainly, his not being there in time--a cruel insult to his bride-elect; but Laura would forgive anything, for he had much to forgive in her, she whispered to herself. "It's all right," said Mr Bray, nervously looking at his watch. "Blandfield time is always correct; but this church-clock is a perfect disgrace, although we are so foolish as to set our watches by it. Here he is, though!" Cheering from the boys; galloping horses; whirring wheels, and a rapid rattling rush; and a chariot and four had dashed past the church-gates, and away down the High-street of Lexville, as fast as four well-bred horses could tear. Away it went, swaying from side to side on its springs, faster and faster as the horses warmed to their work; and those nearer to the door ran out into the churchyard. "They've taken fright and run away!" "The horses were too fresh; they've done no work lately." "Why didn't they have post-horses from the Lion?" "Sir Philip and Master Charles were both in it!" "They weren't: there was only one." "I tell you the chariot was empty." "Them two grooms have been at the 'all ale, that's about it." "The carriage must be smashed!" Remarks in a perfect, or rather imperfect, chaos jumbled one another as opinions were passed. But at last the news was taken to where, with the icy hand now clutching her heart, stood Laura, not fainting, but stern, pale, and erect, that there was nothing to fear, the grooms had evidently been drinking, and the horses had taken fright, but that the chariot was empty. "Yes, yes, it's all right. Here they come!" cried a voice at the door; and two bridesmaids about to faint, refrained--"here's the barouche, and one, two--yes, there's four inside." And once more there was a buzz of expectation. Such an accident couldn't have been helped, of course; horses would be restive sometimes, but it _was_ hard on the poor bride. But, all the same, those who took more interest in the smashing of a carriage than the linking together of hearts, set off at a brisk run down the High-street. Volume 3, Chapter IX. RESIGNATION.