But Le kept silence, looking as grim as the Sphinx. Apparently he saw no just cause to interfere; nor, apparently, did any one else. The ceremony went on to the question put to bridegroom and bride, and which was answered by the former with a firm, distinct-- "I will." And the latter with a steady, quiet-- "I will." "'Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?'" demanded the minister. Mr. Force stepped forward, took the hand of his daughter and placed it within that of the bridegroom, almost shuddering with a vague presentiment of evil, when he felt, even through her kid glove, how deadly cold and heavy that little hand was! And the rites went on, and on, and on, and nothing happened to arrest them--no thunderbolt from heaven descended from the wintry sky to scatter the bridal party--no earthquake caused the ground to yawn and swallow them. The rites went on, and on, and on, to their bitter end, where the voice of the officiating minister, assuming awful solemnity, concludes the ceremony with these warning words: "'Those whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder.'" "Yes!" shouted a voice, at which every one started, and the bridegroom grew pale. "Yes! That may be all very well as far as it goes! 'Whom God has joined together, let not man put asunder' by no manner of means whatever! But them as the devil has joined together a woman may put asunder, and she will, too, in double-quick time!" This shocking interruption came from a short, stout, dark, but very handsome, and very well-dressed person, who, in great excitement, was elbowing and pushing her way up the center aisle toward the chancel at which the startled and affrighted bridal party stood. CHAPTER XXI A ROUTED WEDDING PARTY Words cannot depict the scene that ensued. Blank amazement marked every face save one--that of the bridegroom, which was dark with wrath and hate. For a minute no one moved or spoke. Then two gentlemen found voice at once. "Who are you, madam? And why do you come here in this unseemly manner to interrupt this service?" gravely inquired the officiating minister, addressing the stranger. "What is the meaning of this outrageous conduct, Col. Anglesea? Who is this woman?" sternly demanded the bride's father of the bridegroom. Every man, woman and child in the congregation arose, stretched their necks and leaned forward to hear and see what was going on. "The woman is a lunatic escaped from some madhouse, I suppose. She had best be arrested. Where are your constables?" growled the bridegroom, drawing the arm of his bride within his own and attempting to leave the altar. "Stop that man!" cried the strange woman. "If you care for that girl's honor and good name, stop that man!" she vehemently repeated, placing herself directly in the path of the enraged bridegroom and his half-stupefied bride.