"You see, we could not have the wedding here or at Brambledene. It would be such a nine days' wonder. We should never get through the crowds of people who would come to gaze at us. I don't intend to make any mystery of it. I shall send a notice of our engagement to the papers. But I shall say of the wedding: 'To take place shortly, owing to the early date already fixed for the departure of the Rev. David Rivers to Central Africa.' Then no one need know the exact day. Chappie and Mr. Inglestry can be our witnesses; and you might get Sir Deryck. What time does the boat start?" "In the afternoon, from Southampton. The special train leaves Waterloo at noon." "Capital!" cried Diana. "We can be married at half-past ten, and drive straight to the station, afterwards. There is sure to be a luncheon-car on the train. We can have our wedding-breakfast _en route_, and I can see you off from Southampton. I have always wanted to see over one of those big liners. I may see you off, mayn't I, Cousin David?" "If you wish," he said, gently. "I can send my own motor down to Southampton the day before, and it will be an easy run back home, from there. We can hire a car for the wedding. Wouldn't that be a good plan?" "Quite a good plan," agreed David. "God-papa shall marry us," said Diana; "and then I can make him leave out anything in the service I don't want to have read." David sat up instantly. "No," he said; "to that I cannot agree. Not one word must be omitted. If we are married according to the prescribed rules of our Church, we must not pick and choose as to what our Church shall say to us, as we humbly stand before her altar. I refuse to go through the service if a word is omitted." Diana's eyes flashed rebellion. "My dear Cousin David, have you read the wedding service?" "I know it by heart," said David Rivers. "Then you must surely know that it would simply make a farce of it, to read the whole, at such a wedding as ours." "Nothing can make a farce of a Church service," said David firmly. "We may make a sham of our own part in it; but every word the Church will say to us, will be right and true." "I _must_ have certain passages omitted," flashed Diana. "Very well," said David, quietly. "Then there can be no wedding." "David, you are unreasonable and obstinate!" David regarded her quietly, and made no answer. Diana's angry flush was suddenly modified by dimples. "Is this what people call finding one's master?" she inquired. "It is fortunate for our peace, dear Cousin, that we part on the wedding-day! I am accustomed to having my own way." David's eyes, as he looked into hers, were sad, yet tender.