“So? My guilty conscience doesn't trouble me much, when you're not around.” “How about last night?” “What do you mean?” “Why, it kept you awake all night, didn't it?” “Oh.” “Well, didn't it?” “Gammon. I was busy, making my preparations for this evening.” “Oh, that reminds me. At what time is it your intention to start?” “Start?” “Yes, for the place of the wedding.” “Why do you want to know?” “So as to be ready.” “Ready for what?” “To start with you.” “Good heavens! You don't mean to say that you expect to go with me to the wedding?” “Certainly.” “O, well, really, I can't let you.” “Why not?” “I can't let you make a scene there. You may plague _me_ as much as you like. But I can't have any disturbance at the wedding.” “You ought to know me well enough not to fear my making a disturbance. I'm not in the habit of making disturbances.” “Well, then, what do you want to go for?” “Simply to be there.” “But I thought--I thought my own going was to be prevented.” “Oh, no, I never said that. You may be suffered to _go_. It is the performance of the wedding ceremony that will be prevented.” “Oh, then you think the 'moment of my need' has been put off a little?” “I don't know. I say, you may be permitted to continue straight up to the brink, but before the marriage is consummated, the Lord will interfere.” “His confidence is weakening,” thought Elias, and held his tongue. “Well?” questioned the rabbi. “Well, what?” “At what hour shall I be ready?” “You promise not to make a row?” “You needn't be afraid.” “And to conduct yourself exactly as though you were an ordinary guest?” “I generally conduct myself as a gentleman, don't I?” “Well, then, I mean to leave here at a quarter before eight.” “All right,” said the rabbi; “and now it is a quarter after four. Since you refuse to let me in, I'll go and sit in my own bedroom. I might catch cold, standing here in the hall. Call me if any thing should happen.”