Half an hour later they were back at the Walraven mansion to eat the
wedding-breakfast, and then the new-made Mrs. Walraven, with an eye that
flashed and a voice that rang, turned upon her liege lord and demanded
an explanation. Mr. Walraven shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly.

"My dearest Blanche, I have none to give. The woman must be mad.
Speak to Mollie."

"Carl Walraven, do not dare to deceive me on my wedding-day. You know
more of this than you choose to say."

"Mrs. Walraven, do not raise your angel voice to such a pitch for
nothing. I said before, speak to Mollie. I say again, speak to Mollie;
and here she is."

"So she is," said Miss Dane, sauntering in. "Do you want me to allay
a post-nuptial storm already? Auspicious beginning! What is it?"

"Who was that woman?" demanded the bride.

"A very old friend of mine, madame."

"Why did she come to the church and try to stop the marriage?"

"Because she thought I was the bride. She said so, didn't she? And being
very well acquainted with me, she was moved with compassion for the
deluded man and came to warn him in time. I explained her little
mistake, as you saw, and she apologized handsomely, and--exit, Miriam.
Isn't that satisfactory?"