A girl dressed in shimmering bridal clothes was walking up the church.  A very slender and very pale girl.  She was leaning on Mr. Ingram’s arm; she was beautiful.  There was an expression on her face which melted hearts, and made eyes brim over with tears.  A bride was coming up the church—­not Beatrice Meadowsweet—­not the girl who was beloved by all the town.

Close behind the bride followed the principal bride’s-maid.  She was in a plain dress of white.  Round her head she wore a wreath of white lilies, and in her hand she carried a bouquet of white flowers.

The other bride’s-maids wore green silk sashes, and green with the marguerites which trimmed their broad hats.

“May God have mercy on us!” exclaimed Mrs. Butler.

She made this remark aloud; it was distinctly heard, and Beatrice, as she passed the good lady, turned and gave her a swift bright smile.

The bride joined the bridegroom before the altar, and the bishop, who was to perform the ceremony, began the marriage service: 

“I, Loftus, take thee, Josephine—­”

When these words were uttered Mrs. Bell turned and faced Mrs. Butler.

“Whose cause has won?” she murmured, “who was right?”

“Never you say a word against that blessed girl, Beatrice Meadowsweet,” replied Mrs. Butler.  “Watch her face—­it’s the face of an angel.”

“So it is,” said Mrs. Bell.  And the ladies clasped hands and buried their feud.

CHAPTER XXXV.

BEATRICITES—­EVERY ONE.

Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Butler had a cup of tea together after the wedding.  They partook of their tea in Mrs. Butler’s house, and they gossiped over the events of the day for long hours.

Part of the strange story of Beatrice’s engagement the rector had told his guests at the wedding-breakfast—­a sufficient portion of this curious romance was related to show some of the real nobility of this young girl’s character.  People were to conjecture about the rest.  They were never to know.  They never did know.

The Hartites and the Beatricites ceased to exist at the breakfast, or rather the whole community became Beatricites on the spot.

Bertram took his bride away, and the town was very glad to think they might keep Beatrice Meadowsweet with them after all.  Neither Mrs. Bertram nor Mrs. Meadowsweet were present at the wedding, but they met that evening, for Mrs. Meadowsweet drove up to the Manor; she was accompanied by Beatrice and they both asked to see Mrs. Bertram.

They were admitted into the great lady’s bedroom.

“I am sorry you are so poorly, Mrs. Bertram,” said Mrs. Meadowsweet.  “I thought, as Bee was coming up, I’d call with her.  There’s nothing for worry on the nerves like Eleazer Macjones’s Life Pills, and here’s a fresh box of them.  I thought I’d bring them up, and tell you that for my part I’m highly pleased.”