Lanyere’s entrance with his fair companion could not have been better timed.  They arrived at the particular juncture when Sir Francis, having presented the wedding-ring to the priest was in the act of receiving it back from him, in order that it might be placed upon the finger of the bride; and the noise made by the promoter, who still wore his vizard, drew all eyes upon him, and upon the damsel by whom he was accompanied.

A smile of intelligence passed between Prince Charles and Buckingham; and some remark was made by the latter, to which the Prince replied by a gesture, seeming to intimate that the interruption was not altogether unexpected by him.  De Gondomar’s looks also betrayed that he was likewise in the secret.

Others of the company laughed as if in anticipation of a jest; but the majority looked surprised—­but none so much so as Sir Giles Mompesson.  As his eye fell upon the dark and ominous figure of Lanyere, and shifted from him to Aveline, he appeared transported with rage; and dashing the ring from the hand of the astonished bridegroom (who, having his back toward the newcomers, was unaware of what was going forward), exclaimed—­“Proceed no further!  We have been deceived!  Look there!”

“Where? where?” cried Sir Francis.  “What is the matter, Sir Giles?  You quite terrify me with your fierce looks.  Help me to pick up the ring, and let the ceremony go on.”

“It is well for you that it is not completed,” replied Sir Giles, almost black in the face with choler.  “You know not whom you are about to wed.  But we will soon see.  Off with your veil, minion!  Off with it, I say!”

“Sir Giles, I will not permit this liberty,” cried the old usurer.  “You shall not touch her.  Whom should it be but my own dear, delectable Aveline?”

“Look round, I say, and credit your own eyes, since you doubt my assertions!” roared Sir Giles.

“Ten thousand furies!” ejaculated Sir Francis, as he complied with the injunction.  “Why, there she is, in good truth, when I thought she was by my side.  Whom, then, have I been about to take to my bosom?”

“It matters not,” replied Sir Giles.  “She you desired to wed is yonder, and must take the other’s place.  That is—­but I forget,” he added, suddenly checking himself, and lowering his tone, “naught can be done, except according to rule, in this presence.  Your vanity must needs be gratified by bringing together all this courtly company to witness your marriage.  And now they will only mock you.”

“S’death! you are right, Sir Giles,” rejoined the old usurer.  “I am become a mere laughing-stock to my guests.  But at least I will see my false bride’s features.  You hear what I say, Madam,” he added to Gillian—­“let me behold your face without more ado.”

As he uttered the command, the damsel threw off her veil, and stood blushing, half-smiling and half-abashed, before the assemblage.  Her natural charms, heightened by her attire, and by the peculiar situation in which she was placed, elicited general admiration.