Now character came out. The old Doctor's touch of her brow was hearty enough but a little formal. Prim's kiss was trembling. Prudentia's was the impact of wooden lips, moveless and hard; one would have said, sinister, if an expressionless thing could be said to have expression. All the notes of the scale were between her husband's kiss and that, Dr. Arthur almost making up for the rest with his glad, brotherly greeting for Hazel and a brother's wring of the hand for Dane. But from them all, Wych Hazel turned and threw her arms round Mrs. Bywank. Restraining herself then with a great effort, she raised her head and took Reo's hand in both of hers; but not a word passed on either side. And Gyda, who had meekly waited her turn, drew near and lifted one of Wych Hazel's hands to her old lips. She too said nothing audibly, and made way for others of the household who were bashfully coming in. 'Now will you tell me, Dane,' began Mrs. Coles, when the pause at her end of the room had lasted, as she thought long enough, 'why you and Miss Kennedy have done things in this unheard-of sort of style?' Perhaps Dane thought it was not a proper question, for he folded his arms and did not answer. Perhaps he did not hear her; for, though with no outward token of it, he was somewhat anxiously watching Wych Hazel. 'What made you do things in this way, to disappoint all the world?' The lady's face wore a smile which was meant to be gracious, however the words sounded not so. 'Prue,' said Prim, 'people have a right to be married in their own way.' 'But my dear!—Don't you think you owe something to society, Dane? In your position?' 'I never understood my obligations to society,' said Dane carelessly. 'But do you think it is fair, to disappoint all the world?' 'Always fair to disappoint improper curiosity.' 'Well, but why is that improper curiosity?' 'Curiosity about other people's business,' said Dane good- humouredly. 'And do you call _that_ improper?' 'I suppose not,—when custom has made it seem to be your own business.' 'That's it; custom _has_ made it not only seem but be so. And I think it is perfectly natural and reasonable and proper. When does a lady show to more advantage than on her wedding-day? And why should not the world have the benefit of it?' 'I do not know why not,' said Dane smiling,—'if it suits the parties concerned.' 'Why didn't it suit you, you jealous Musulman?' 'When a lady has never been seen to advantage,' remarked Dr. Arthur,—'that may alter the case. Her Grace is hardly one of those.'