In What does it Lie                553



                  CHAPTER     LX
               IN WHAT DOES IT LIE
  HAD the clerk of the weather been favoured with an
express letter containing a heavy bribe, a more lovely
day could not have been secured than that one in
January which witnessed the marriage of Constance
Channing to the Rev. William Yorke.
  The church ceremony was over, and they were home
again, seated at breakfast with their guests. But few
guests were present, and they for the most part close
friends-the Huntleys; Lady Augusta Yorke and
Gerald; Mr. Galloway; and the Rev. Mr. Pye, who
married them. It is the fashion in these days to have
a superfluity of bridesmaids: I am not sure that a
young lady would consider herself legally married un-
less she enjoyed the privilege. Constance, though not
altogether a slave to fashion, followed it, not in a very
extensive degree. Annabel Channing, Ellen Huntley,
and Caroline and Fanny Yorke, had been the de-
moiselles d'honneur.  Charley's auburn curls had
grown again, and Charley himself was in better con-
dition than when he arrived from his impromptu
excursion. For grandeur, no one could approach Miss
Huntley; her brocade silk stood on end, stiff, and
prim, and stately as herself. fudy, in her way, was
stately too; a curiously-fine lace cap on her head, which
had not been allowed to see the light since Charley's
christening, with a large white satin bow in front,
almost as large as the cap itself. And that was no
despicable size.
  The only one who did not behave with a due regard
to what might be expected of him, was Hamish-
grievous as it is to have to record it. It had been duly
impressed upon Hamish that he was to conduct Miss
Huntley in to breakfast, etiquette and society con-
signing that lady to his share. Mr. Hamish, how-
ever, chose to misconstrue instructions in the most
deplorable manner. He left Miss Huntley a prev to
whomsoever might pick her up, and took in Miss Ellen.