Fortune's My Foe

wn, there is a porch at the do

ffal of the clergy," as Keith had more than once termed his rival practitioners in the Fleet, had, before the passing of the Marriage Act, united hundreds more couples than he had ever done; but, as he said, "What would you have? They marry drunken sailors to demireps, shopboys t

dered by him fit for entanglement in his net; and certain it is that from that date his fees went up. For on that day he had tied together in bonds, never to be loosened--and which were never sought to be loosened--James, si

ions, as well as his charge of a guinea, "inclusive of the license on a crown stamp and minister's and clerk's fees," and b

his stead, had extorted from Beau Bufton when consenting, on the day before the marriage,

ht, I care not. That is the needful thing.

ies, and, after having grown tired of their wives and abused their wealth, can get relief. Oh, no! And no tricks can be played here. No marrying under a false name, and claimi

at the parson and favouring him with his sneer; "we come here to get closel

orn to me that your name is Algernon Bufton, and the lady's Ariadne Thorne; and though your name may be truly John Nokes, and hers Joan Stokes, as Algernon Bufton and Ariadne Thorne you will be united, and uni

the Beau out of the vestry wherein their conversation had taken place, and wherein, also

arm; also, she was white and with no bloom of natural colour on her cheeks, although Mrs. Pottle had, in its place, carefully applied the contents of the rouge-pot to them that morning. Otherwise, she was all that became a bride who did not wish to proclaim her position too distinctly. For the flowered brocade (which the Beau's eyes, astu

e lion; he had sworn deeply, and with many vows, to assist in bringing this marriage to a successful issue; even the indignity of Mrs. Pottle's company could not daunt him nor turn him from his resolution. The companionship of this stern and determined-looking woman at his side must be borne with for the ne

ht have opined that it had neither been washed nor shaved this morning; his voice was hoarse and indistinct as he mumbled hastily the words of the irrevocable ceremony, as though anxious to get all concluded as soon as possible. In actual

on his lips while he uttered his responses clearly and audibly to all--as who would not do who was wedding a hundred thousand guineas? His bride also seemed to take courage as the end drew near, and ceased to shiver an

the book. Isaac, pass over the register to those whom the Lord hath joined together. There is no further fee, yet generous brideg

to squander any of that new fortune which he had now secured. Wherefore, having signed his own name, and indicated with his finger the spot at which his wife shou

ister, he heard a voice: it was that of the friend whose absence he had notic

Bufton saw that the new-comer--the man who had but just arrived upon the scene--was ma

garding the young man with surprise; "A

s further astonishment, now trembled no more, but, instead, stood erect and with a look of defiance on her face. "Never Ariadne Thorne. I knew it. Knew it. Sh

and Bufton gas

rned round, observing as he did so that all eyes were on him, while, pushing his wife on one side, he glared at the name she

as to be utterly unrecognisable. "Speak! Say, wanton! Speak!

r, clasping his arm, "be

e made as though he would tear to pieces the

w. "Though not a duly consecrated edifice, it

is. I will know, or----" and he made a snatch at the register as though to seize the leaf which recorded his marriage

of intense hatred. Yet she did not go, but, standing by her mother's side, said, while all wh

nce mother could not ask Miss Ariadne to keep us all, though God knows she would have done so willingly; and this snake--this thing whom I have marri

and Ranelagh, and, to save trouble and explanation, she, too, went by that name; while he, meeting her at the latter place, where she ever waited for me, persu

orne for whom he took me, I would spare him? Never! She was there, too, at Tunbridge, though not at the masquerade, and she lent me clothes, fallals, laces, even a fan, to go and make merry myself. Ah!" she cried

ton said now, addressing Symson

tight. You were warned yesterday that false names would not save you. And, since she openly avows her name is Anne Pottle,

o the door, through which a se

k that shall never succeed. You shall be laid by the heels in Newgate--you--you--you hedge priest--Great God!" h

orm of a man which he remembered well--had good cause to remember--the form o

addressing the incoming wedding party which he had followed, "if I delay your ceremony for a short moment. But