The Seats of the Mighty, Volume 4 by Gilbert Parker
page 18 of 91 (19%)
page 18 of 91 (19%)
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Rising, he paused, and I went to the door and knocked upon it.
It was opened by Gabord. "Come in, Gabord," said I. "There is a thing that you must hear." He stepped back and got a light, and then entered, holding it up, and shutting the door. A strange look came upon his face when he saw the chaplain, and a stranger when, stepping beside Alixe, I took her hand, and Mr. Wainfleet declared us man and wife. He stood like one dumfounded, and he did not stir as Alixe, turning to me, let me kiss her on the lips, and then went to the crucifix on the wall and embraced the feet of it, and stood for a moment, praying. Nor did he move or make a sign till she came back and stood beside me. "A pretty scene!" he burst forth then with anger. "But, by God! no marriage is it!" Alixe's hand tightened on my arm, and she drew close to me. "A marriage that will stand at Judgment Day, Gabord," said I. "But not in France or here. 'Tis mating wild, with end of doom." "It is a marriage our great Archbishop at Lambeth Palace will uphold against a hundred popes and kings," said the chaplain with importance. "You are no priest, but holy peddler!" cried Gabord roughly. "This is not mating as Christians, and fires of hell shall burn--aho! I will see you all go down, and hand of mine shall not be lifted for you!" |
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