Richard checked him:  “Speak sensibly, I say—­quietly.  You can say how gentle and good she is—­my fleur-de-luce!  And say, this was not her doing.  If any one’s to blame, it’s I. I made her marry me.  Then go to Lady Blandish, if you don’t find her at the house.  You may say whatever you please to her.  Give her my letter, and tell her I want to hear from her immediately.  She has seen Lucy, and I know what she thinks of her.  You will then go to Farmer Blaize.  I told you Lucy happens to be his niece—­she has not lived long there.  She lived with her aunt Desborough in France while she was a child, and can hardly be called a relative to the farmer—­there’s not a point of likeness between them.  Poor darling! she never knew her mother.  Go to Mr. Blaize, and tell him.  You will treat him just as you would treat any other gentleman.  If you are civil, he is sure to be.  And if he abuses me, for my sake and hers you will still treat him with respect.  You hear?  And then write me a full account of all that has been said and done.  You will have my address the day after to-morrow.  By the way, Tom will be here this afternoon.  Write out for him where to call on you the day after to-morrow, in case you have heard anything in the morning you think I ought to know at once, as Tom will join me that night.  Don’t mention to anybody about my losing the ring, Ripton.  I wouldn’t have Adrian get hold of that for a thousand pounds.  How on earth I came to lose it!  How well she bore it, Rip!  How beautifully she behaved!”

Ripton again shouted:  “An angel!” Throwing up the heels of his second bottle, he said: 

“You may trust your friend, Richard.  Aha! when you pulled at old Mrs. Berry I didn’t know what was up.  I do wish you’d let me drink her health?”

“Here’s to Penelope!” said Richard, just wetting his mouth.  The carriage was at the door:  a couple of dire organs, each grinding the same tune, and a vulture-scented itinerant band (from which not the secretest veiled wedding can escape) worked harmoniously without in the production of discord, and the noise acting on his nervous state made him begin to fume and send in messages for his bride by the maid.

By and by the lovely young bride presented herself dressed for her journey, and smiling from stained eyes.

Mrs. Berry was requested to drink some wine, which Ripton poured out for her, enabling Mrs. Berry thereby to measure his condition.

The bride now kissed Mrs. Berry, and Mrs. Berry kissed the bridegroom, on the plea of her softness.  Lucy gave Ripton her hand, with a musical “Good-bye, Mr. Thompson,” and her extreme graciousness made him just sensible enough to sit down before he murmured his fervent hopes for her happiness.

“I shall take good care of him,” said Mrs. Berry, focussing her eyes to the comprehension of the company.

“Farewell, Penelope!” cried Richard.  “I shall tell the police everywhere to look out for your lord.”