The Woodlanders

"Who is?--oh, you mean Mrs. Charmond. Do you know, dear, that at one

time I thought you lived here."

"Indeed!" said Grace. "How was that?"

He explained, as far as he could do so without mentioning his

disappointment at finding it was otherwise; and then went on: "Well,

never mind that. Now I want to ask you something. There is one detail

of our wedding which I am sure you will leave to me. My inclination is

not to be married at the horrid little church here, with all the yokels

staring round at us, and a droning parson reading."

"Where, then, can it be? At a church in town?"

"No. Not at a church at all. At a registry office. It is a quieter,

snugger, and more convenient place in every way."

"Oh," said she, with real distress. "How can I be married except at

church, and with all my dear friends round me?"

"Yeoman Winterborne among them."

"Yes--why not? You know there was nothing serious between him and me."

"You see, dear, a noisy bell-ringing marriage at church has this

objection in our case: it would be a thing of report a long way round.

Now I would gently, as gently as possible, indicate to you how

inadvisable such publicity would be if we leave Hintock, and I purchase

the practice that I contemplate purchasing at Budmouth--hardly more

than twenty miles off. Forgive my saying that it will be far better if

nobody there knows where you come from, nor anything about your

parents. Your beauty and knowledge and manners will carry you anywhere

if you are not hampered by such retrospective criticism."

"But could it not be a quiet ceremony, even at church?" she pleaded.

"I don't see the necessity of going there!" he said, a trifle

impatiently. "Marriage is a civil contract, and the shorter and

simpler it is made the better. People don't go to church when they

take a house, or even when they make a will."

"Oh, Edgar--I don't like to hear you speak like that."

"Well, well--I didn't mean to. But I have mentioned as much to your

father, who has made no objection; and why should you?"

She gave way, deeming the point one on which she ought to allow

sentiment to give way to policy--if there were indeed policy in his

plan. But she was indefinably depressed as they walked homeward.