"That he must come to the wedding--that we must show ourselves
together at church and at the breakfast."

She delivered the behest in her sharp imperative key, the tone of
the born commander. But for once Garnett ventured to question her
orders.

"And supposing he won't come?"

"He must if he cares for his daughter's happiness. She can't be
married without him."

"Can't be married?"

"The French are like that--especially the old families. I was given
to understand at once that my husband must appear--if only to
establish the fact that we're not divorced."

"Ah--you're _not_, then?" escaped from Garnett.

"Mercy, no! Divorce is stupid. They don't like it in Europe. And in
this case it would have been the end of Hermy's marriage. They
wouldn't think of letting their son marry the child of divorced
parents."

"How fortunate, then--"

"Yes; but I always think of such things beforehand. And of course
I've told them that my husband will be present."