“Well, old man, good morning.  I return to duty to-day, because it is the first of the month, you know.”

“And also the first of the financial year.  There has been so much to do within the last few days, I am glad you have returned to your post.  I would like the pater to find all right when he comes to inspect.  By the way, I have just got a telegram from him.  I have just sent it off to Cora, so that she may know when to send the carriage, and for what hour to order dinner.  You know it would never do to have anything ’gang aglee’ in which the pater is interested.”

“No.  Well, you and I must go to meet him.  We must not fail in any attention to the old gentleman.”

“Of course not.  Oh! what will the people say when they hear the news?  I do not think that the slightest rumor of the mad marriage has got out I know that I have not breathed it.”

“Nor I. But of course it will be generally known within twenty-four hours; and then I hope the pater will do the handsome thing and give his workmen a general holiday and jollification.”

“I doubt it, since he has not even refurnished the shabby old drawing room at Rockhold in honor of the occasion,” said Mr. Clarence.

Then the brothers separated for the day.

Whenever the family traveling carriage happened to be sent from Rockhold to the North End railway depot, it always stopped at the North End Hotel to rest and water the horses.  So when the afternoon waned, as Messrs. Fabian and Clarence Rockharrt had to remain busy in their respective offices up to the last possible minute, Sylvan was stationed on the front porch of the hotel, with the day’s newspapers and a case of cigars to solace him while watching for the carriage.

It came at a quarter to five o’clock, and while the horses were resting and feeding, Sylvan sent a messenger to summon his two uncles.  By the time the two horses were ready to start again, the two men came up and entered the carriage.  Sylvan followed them in.

“See here, my boy,” said Mr. Fabian, “you can’t go, you know.  There will be no room for you coming back.  Clarence and myself fill two seats, and your grandfather and—­”

“Grandmother fill up the other,” added Sylvan.  “But never mind; in coming back I can ride on the box with the coachman; but go I will to meet my venerable grandparents!  Bless my wig! didn’t I give away my grandmother at the altar, and shall I not pay them the attention of going to meet them on their return from their wedding tour?”

The horses started at a good pace, passed through the village street, entered the main road running miles between the great works, and rolled on into the silent forest road that led to the railway depot in the valley.

Here the carriage drew up before the solitary station house.

Soon the train ran in and stopped.  Old Aaron Rockharrt got out and handed down his wife, before turning to face his sons.  A man and maid servant, loaded down with handbags, umbrellas, waterproofs, and shawls, got out of another car.