The wedding did not take place quite so soon as Rupert had hoped, for his wounds were more severe than he had at first been willing to allow, and it was not until the last week of the year that the wedding took place.

For many years after the event the marriage of Rupert Holliday with Mademoiselle de Pignerolles was talked of as the most brilliant event which had taken place in the county of Derby during the memory of man.  The great Duke of Marlborough himself, and his duchess, came down to be present at the ceremony.  From Holland came over Major Dillon, and four or five others of the officers of the 5th dragoons.  Lord Fairholm was also there, and Hugh was not the least welcome to Rupert of those assembled at the wedding.

Hugh was still a private, for although he could long ere this have been a sergeant had he chosen, he had always refused promotion, as it would have removed him from service as Rupert’s orderly.

There was also present at the wedding a young Dutch lady engaged to be married to Major Dillon, and her father.  Rupert had written over to say how glad he should be to see them at his marriage, but that he could not think of asking them to come so far.  Mynheer van Duyk had, however, written to say that he and his daughter would certainly come, for that regarding Rupert as a son it would be extraordinary indeed for him to be absent.  And so they arrived at the Chace two days before the wedding, and on the morning before going to church he presented Rupert with a cheque which simply astounded the young soldier.

At first, indeed, he absolutely refused to accept it.  The merchant, however, insisted so strongly upon it—­urging that his own wealth was so large, that, as he had only Maria to inherit it, it was really beyond his wants, or even his power to spend; and that he had, ever since Rupert saved Maria from the attempts of Sir Richard Fulke, which but for him must have succeeded, regarded him as his adopted son—­Rupert saw that his refusal would really give pain and therefore, with warm gratitude, he accepted the cheque, whose value exceeded that of the united estates of the Haugh and the Chace.  Maria brought a magnificent set of jewels for Adele—­not indeed that that young lady in any way required them, for the marquis had had all her mother’s jewels, which were superb, reset for the occasion.  They were married first at the Roman Catholic chapel at Derby, for Adele was of course a Catholic, and then at the church in the village of Windthorpe.  After which there was a great dinner, and much rejoicing and festivity at it.

Rupert Holliday went no more to the wars.  He obtained leave to reside on his estate for a year.  That year, 1710, little was done in Flanders.  The duke’s enemies at home had now gained the upper hand, and he was hampered in every way.  The allies, seeing that a change of government was imminent in England, and that the new party would in all probability make peace at any cost and leave them to themselves, carried on quiet negotiations with France; and so throughout the summer no great battle took place, although the allies gained several material advantages.