"Forgive me, Mrs. Weston, I was not invited, but I heard a whisper of your original wedding and----"
"It's Miss Whitburn's idea. Could anything be more beautiful?"
He was by Maud's side now and he said quite gravely,
"I took note of everything, Miss Hamilton."
"Oh," said Maud smiling, "it would not do for _your_ tastes. Hanover Square and a rowdy audience!"
"Indeed you are unjust. This is the first wedding I have enjoyed----"
Mrs. Hamilton was smiling, but, thinking Edward Lang wanted to make up to Toney, she did not invite him to the breakfast. Only Maud lingered a minute to say something, and then the poor people came trooping out, and when Toney reappeared she was too busy talking to them to see anything else.
The breakfast at Waycott Hall was a great trial to Toney, but she fought against this lion and no one found out she was in a battle. Dr. Mayo acted as best man, and his speech was short but to the point.
"The bridegroom being a friend of long standing, I rise to drink his health. The bride I have only seen to-day, but I congratulate her from the bottom of my heart. To be the wife of Frank Weston means to be the wife of a genius--that is nothing, he was born a genius, he couldn't help himself--but it also means to be the wife of a man who, having a grand profession, has always ennobled it, and who has never, by thought, word, or deed, lowered the high standard he set before himself, and I think Mr. and Mrs. Weston are wise to go at once to Germany, so as to avoid such demonstration from the musical world here as might be overpowering."
The bridegroom's speech was also very short.
"I thank my friend for his words, because I think he believes them!--but I rise to drink the health of Miss Whitburn. I believe she does not like titles, so when we think of all she has accomplished, we mentally say 'Toney'---- Round this word centres the gratitude of two persons who can never forget her. I am further asked by Mr. Lewis Waycott, to say how much he regrets not being amongst us, but his plans could not be altered. He has ordered that all the cottagers on his estate are to have a good dinner--he wishes us to accept that as his wedding present. For my part he could not have offered me anything I appreciate more."