But further conversation was here cut short by the arrival of the Bride, who, led by her brother, advanced towards the altar with an air of confidence that charmed all beholders. This self-possession was the outcome of the lady being--as her grey moiré-antique indicated--a widow. Congratulations passed round amongst the friends and relatives, and then the bridal party was arranged in front of the good old Vicar. "Have you switched us on?" said he to the Clerk. "Yes, Sir," was the reply. "We are now in communication with all the principal Hotels and Clubs." "That's right. I am always anxious that my clients shall have their full money's-worth." And then the Vicar read with much emphasis the exhortation to the public to declare any "just cause or impediment" to the marriage. Naturally there was no response, and an opening hymn was sung by the choir, which, containing some half-dozen verses, lasted quite a quarter of an hour. At its conclusion the Vicar, who had allowed his attention to become distracted, instead of going on with the service, again read the exhortation. He once more gave the names of "HARRY SMITH, bachelor," and "AMY JONES, widow." "If anyone knows any just cause or impediment," he continued. "Stop; I do!" interrupted a gentleman in a dressing-gown, who had hurriedly entered the Church. "I heard you about a quarter of an hour ago, while I was breakfasting at the Shaftesbury Avenue Hotel, ask the same question, and came here without changing my coat. Very sorry to interrupt the ceremony, but this lady is my wife! Well, AMY, how are you?" "What, JOEY!" exclaimed the (now) ex-Bride, delightedly. "We _are_ glad to see you! We thought you were dead!" Then the gentleman in the dressing-gown was heartily greeted on all sides. He seemed to be a very popular personage. "But where do I come in?" asked Mr. BROWN, the ex-Bridegroom, who had, during this scene, shown signs of embarrassment. "O JOEY, I quite forgot to introduce you to HARRY," said the ex-Bride. "You must know one another. I was going to marry him when you, darling, turned up just in the nick of time, like a dear good old boy!" "Delighted to make your acquaintance, Sir," said Mr. JONES, shaking Mr. BROWN warmly by the hand. "And now I must go back to finish my breakfast!" "Yes, with me," said the ex-Bride. "You must sit, darling, in the seat intended for poor HARRY. I know you won't mind, HARRY (or, perhaps, I ought to call you Mr. BROWN now?), as I have _so_ much to say to dear JOEY. And you can have your breakfast at a side-table--now won't you, just to please me? You always are _so_ kind and considerate!" And, as the wedding-party left the Church, the Clerk hastily unswitched the electric communication. "Be quiet, Sir!" he whispered, sternly, to Mr. BROWN, who had been talking to himself. "If our clients heard you, we should be ruined! We guarantee that our telephonic supply shall be perfectly free from bad language!" * * * * *