CHAPTER IX.
THE MARRIAGE.
Well, the nex day came: at 12 the carridge-and-four was waiting at theambasdor's doar; and Miss Griffin and the faithfle Kicksey were punctialto the apintment.
I don't wish to digscribe the marridge seminary--how the embasy chaplingjined the hands of this loving young couple--how one of the embasyfootmin was called in to witness the marridge--how Miss wep and faintedas usial--and how Deuceace carried her, fainting, to the brisky, anddrove off to Fontingblo, where they were to pass the fust weak of thehoney-moon. They took no servnts, because they wisht, they said, tobe privit. And so, when I had shut up the steps, and bid the postiliondrive on, I bid ajew to the Honrabble Algernon, and went off strait tohis exlent father.
"Is it all over, Chawls?" said he.
"I saw them turned off at igsactly a quarter past 12, my lord," says I.
"Did you give Miss Griffin the paper, as I told you, before hermarriage?"
"I did, my lord, in the presents of Mr. Brown, Lord Bobtail's man; whocan swear to her having had it."
I must tell you that my lord had made me read a paper which Lady Griffinhad written, and which I was comishnd to give in the manner menshndabuff. It ran to this effect:--
"According to the authority given me by the will of my late dearhusband, I forbid the marriage of Miss Griffin with the HonorableAlgernon Percy Deuceace. If Miss Griffin persists in the union, I warnher that she must abide by the consequences of her act.
"LEONORA EMILIA GRIFFIN."
"RUE DE RIVOLI, May 8, 1818."
When I gave this to Miss as she entered the cortyard, a minnit before mymaster's arrivle, she only read it contemptiously, and said, "I laugh atthe threats of Lady Griffin;" and she toar the paper in two, and walkedon, leaning on the arm of the faithful and obleaging Miss Kicksey.
I picked up the paper for fear of axdents, and brot it to my lord.Not that there was any necessaty; for he'd kep a copy, and made me andanother witniss (my Lady Griffin's solissator) read them both, before hesent either away.
"Good!" says he; and he projuiced from his potfolio the fello of thatbewchus fifty-pun note, which he'd given me yesterday. "I keep mypromise, you see, Charles," says he. "You are now in Lady Griffin'sservice, in the place of Mr. Fitzclarence, who retires. Go to Froje's,and get a livery."
"But, my lord," says I, "I was not to go into Lady Griffnses service,according to the bargain, but into--"
"It's all the same thing," says he; and he walked off. I went to Mr.Froje's, and ordered a new livry; and found, likwise, that our coachminand Munseer Mortimer had been there too. My lady's livery was changed,and was now of the same color as my old coat at Mr. Deuceace's; and I'mblest if there wasn't a tremenjious great earl's corronit on the butins,instid of the Griffin rampint, which was worn befoar.
I asked no questions, however, but had myself measured; and slep thatnight at the Plas Vandome. I didn't go out with the carridge for a dayor two, though; my lady only taking one footmin, she said, until HER NEWCARRIDGE was turned out.
I think you can guess what's in the wind NOW!
I bot myself a dressing-case, a box of Ody colong, a few duzen lawnsherts and neckcloths, and other things which were necessary for agenlmn in my rank. Silk stockings was provided by the rules of thehouse. And I completed the bisniss by writing the follying ginteelletter to my late master:--
"CHARLES YELLOWPLUSH, ESQUIRE, TO THE HONORABLE A. P. DEUCEACE.
"SUR,--Suckmstansies have acurd sins I last had the honner of wating onyou, which render it impossbil that I should remane any longer in yoursuvvice. I'll thank you to leave out my thinx, when they come home onSattady from the wash.
"Your obeajnt servnt,
"CHARLES YELLOWPLUSH."
"PLAS VENDOME."
The athography of the abuv noat, I confess, is atrocious; but kevoolyvoo? I was only eighteen, and hadn then the expearance in writingwhich I've enjide sins.
Having thus done my jewty in evry way, I shall prosead, in the nexchapter, to say what hapnd in my new place.