"Now, Jessica, we must be sensible," Mr. Deane looked at his watch. "It's time we were off; we must allow a little extra in case of a block. Come along, dear, and be careful with your train. Your Mother told me to see you didn't disarrange yourself." "Kiss me once, Daddy, before we go." "Now be sensible, my dear. Your Mother said I wasn't to let you get excited." "Darling, stop quoting Mother at me," said Jessica as she kissed her father and took his arm to go downstairs. "Don't let your train touch the step," he adjured her. "There, that's all right." He stepped into the car. "Good wishes, Miss Jessica," said the parlourmaid, smiling broadly, as she shut the door and the car started for the church. "Hugh's made all the arrangements about tickets and so forth, hasn't he?" asked Mr. Deane. "Yes, I think so, Daddy; he's very competent." "Well, I gave your Mother twenty pounds for you, my dear. Better have some ready money when you're travelling. She said she would put it in the purse you were taking away with you." "That was kind of you. Thank you, darling. I know Hugh is taking heaps of money, but it's useful to have a little of my own." "Yes, quite; that was what I thought. Surely the car is going very slowly; we must not be late." He looked at his watch again and added, "No, it's all right, still seven minutes to the half-hour and we're nearly there." Jessica pressed his hand gently. "Your Mother will miss you," said Mr. Deane abruptly. "Not half as much as you will, Daddy. And I'll miss you, too. I wish you could come with me. Will you write to me to-morrow, or the next day, or very soon anyhow." "Certainly, I will; yes, certainly. But you mustn't worry. Just take things easily; everything is perfectly satisfactory and straightforward." "I'm looking forward to the church bit of it, but not to the reception so much. But truly, I'm not fussed, Daddy." "That's right. There's no need to be. Hugh's a good boy; if he weren't I'd never have allowed it." "Sweetheart, you couldn't have stopped it, not possibly; nothing could." "Now, my dear, you must be wise, and don't exaggerate. Here we are. Be very careful getting out; your Mother said you might get your train muddy just here." As Jessica trailed the long gold train up the red carpet, she smiled at the eager, peering faces on either side and when a hoarse voice at the top said "Good luck, Miss," she half turned and said, "Thank you, indeed," in her usual clear steady voice. A blur of massed faces swam before her eyes as she peeped into the church from the porch, while her two small pages caught up the loops of her train, and the bridesmaids formed themselves into a procession. "Now, Jessica, are you ready?" whispered Mr. Deane urgently, as the organ burst out into a hymn, and the congregation stood up. "Yes, darling, let's start. I can't see Hugh from here."