I Forbid the Banns! — page 242: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

232 ‘““T FORBID THE BANNS!” “Never mind, Miss Travers, we bear you no malice; and I promise you that we shall be present when you are being married.” “Vou certainly must,” said Marian, ‘ What church in London did you Say you were married in ?”’ “ My dear, Lady Rushton will take another cup of tea,” cried Julian, rising to relieve Lady Rushton of the custody of her cup. “No, thank you,” said Lady Rushton. ‘ What church did you get married in?”’ She believed in her heart that Charlton had married a Dissenter. She was determined that the offense should be admitted. She had not failed to observe the evasion ot the question put by Miss Travers. “We got married in no church, Lady Rushton, Bertha quietiy. “Great Heavens!” whispered Lady Rushton, “no church! I knewit. A Dissenting chapel—I have heard of them—all whitewash and snuffles.”’ ‘Neither in church nor chapel nor in the presence of a registrar,’ continued Bertha. There was a long silence. Lady Rushton was paralyzed with astonishment. Even Cyril Southcote was somewhat surprised. Then Lady Rushton took a long breath. She looked at Bertha, then at Julian, then at Marian. Then her eyes rested upon her plain daughter. The sight aroused all the British mother within her. With something like a cry she sprang to her feet and rushed to her daughter. She stood between the Child and the Contaminator— between a monument of terra cotta and one of marble. “Spare us!” she cried imploringly. “Spare my child! She at least is innocent ; she knows nothing of this iniquity.” “ Lady Rushton,” said Marian, “I am sure that we are under some mistake.” +] said (COMME LOOKS (€(0)