“Yes, but my little self-willed, headstrong bride, it is _late_; the company are assembled; we have determined not to await the arrival of the bishop, or of the laggards, Rose and Gusty; we have settled that the ceremony shall proceed; we cannot wait much longer for anybody.” “I rather think you will have to wait some time longer for the bride!” said the girl, “unless, indeed, you could fancy the ‘tragedy of Hamlet, with the part of the Prince of Denmark omitted.’” “But, oh! Hagar, this is shocking!” “Is it? So much the better; you need to be shocked!” While they spoke, the vessel bore down rapidly towards the point—stopped—a boat was put out and rowed towards the beach, and old Dr. Otterback alone stepped upon the sand. The old man came smilingly forward, rubbing his hands and holding them out. Blanche stepped forward to welcome him. “Hey, Miss—Miss ——, I remember you, you monkey, though I don’t remember your name, or know if you have changed it.” “Miss Rogers!” “Miss—_what!_ not married yet?” “La! no, Dr. Otterback, I was waiting for _you_! Ain’t you a single man? You looked so much at your ease, I really thought you were, anyhow?” “And you would put me out of my ease, hey? No, I’ll tell you the reason you are not married; the young men are afraid of you, that is it.” “Not so, Dr. Otterback; I have twelve beaux, but I should be afraid to marry one of them for fear that eleven of them would hang themselves.” “_Twelve_ would hang themselves, my lady, you may be sure of that! But, this is Miss Churchill, if I am not mistaken,” said he, going up to Hagar. Hagar curtsied, blushed with all her spirit; she was embarrassed, abashed, as well as much disappointed. This meeting Dr. Otterback alone, under such circumstances, was not what she had anticipated; not what it would have been, covered with the shower of welcomes that would have attended the reception of the _whole party_, had Gusty and Rosalia been with him. One thing, however, if Dr. Otterback recognised her as the bride of the evening, he did not appear to do so. They reached the Hall. The whole yard and surrounding grounds of the Hall were filled with carriages tied to the trees. Hagar reached her room without encountering any of the guests—though as she passed up the long wide staircase, and through the passages, she could hear the half-suppressed hum of voices in the bed-rooms; the hushed voices of ladies who had arrived late and were re-arranging their toilet after their ride.