love affair.  When he came to the bride’s name, however, he did pause, for it was that of the Capulet.  ‘How is this?’ he asked.  ’How has she the same name as you, my child?’ Before the veiled lady could answer, the groom informed him that the bride’s family, being old retainers of the other, had the same last name, as it was in Scottish clans, and that the bride herself, born on the same day as the young lady at the great house, had received also the same Christian name, which explained her being under Miss Capulet’s protection.  The good man was conscious that, though his piety was eminent, his knowledge of all genealogy but Bible was deficient, and when both women softly assented to this statement, his air of perplexity gave place to the manner of a man who understands the business of the hour.  He was in a hurry, and in an incredibly short time the two were one.  ‘Is it all over?’ asked the groom.  ’Are we securely married?’ ’You are joined in the holy bonds of matrimony until death do you part,’ returned the clergyman, solemnly, beginning to add his blessing.  But this died half-uttered on his lips, for the bride slowly raised her head, threw back her bonnet, and the haughty face and laughing eyes of the Capulet were before him.  ‘Bear witness,’ she said, her shyness completely gone, ‘that I’m this gentleman’s wife.’  ’You are, indeed,’ he stammered.  ‘But how—­why—­who is this?’ and he reached out a trembling hand toward the veiled lady.  ‘My maid,’ returned the bride; ’she came here like one of the cottagers, and we exchanged gowns while you were talking to the people.’  ’I hope, I sincerely hope, it’s all right,’ returned the poor man; ’but if I had known, I would have spoken to your honored parent, first.’  ‘Yes, I’m sure of that,’ she laughed, ‘and then we should not have been so happy.’  At the moment a post-chaise drove up, into which the bridal pair and the servant made haste to get.  ‘Pardon me that I cannot accompany you home,’ laughed the lady, leaning out to give the minister her hand in farewell.  ’You cannot know how grateful to you we are.  I shall never be able to reward you; I can only give you my thanks and prayers—­and be sure to tell them at home how firmly you have married us.’  The chaise drove off, and the good man was left alone.  He felt inclined to think that he had been dreaming, until he looked down and saw in his hand a purse of gold pieces that the groom had slipped into it, whispering, ’If you refuse for yourself, be my almoner and give it to the poor.’  Before the preacher had recovered his wits the carriage of the Capulets reappeared.  The lovers, however, did not re-appear for two years, and by that time Montague had unexpectedly fallen heir to a fortune and a title, and was received with open arms by the new relatives.  In our days it’s always the one who was not the prodigal who has the fatted calf killed for him.”

“I’m afraid the poor minister was not very welcome when he had told his story,” said Elizabeth.