Father O'Malley's face was puckered; he said, hesitatingly: "My
dear madam, this isn't regular; you are not Catholics. How can I
bless you?"
"You can marry us legally, just the same, can't you?" Alaire was
breathing rapidly, and some part of her eagerness began to thrill
her hearers.
"Oh yes, but--"
"Then marry us. And make haste, please! Please!"
Law nodded. He could not speak, for his mouth was dry. A voice
within him shouted a warning, but he would not listen. His heart
was beating violently; his temples were pounding; all the blood of
his body seemed centered in his head.
Before the eyes of the four wondering women Father O'Malley
married them. It seemed to Alaire that he would never reach the
end, although, in fact, he stumbled through the ceremony swiftly.
Alaire clipped his last words short by crying:
"Tell these people so that they'll understand what it all means.
Tell them to remember they have seen a marriage by the Church."
The priest did as he was directed, and his audience signified
their understanding. Then Dolores led them out
XXX
THE MAN OF DESTINY
"Now, then, I'll explain," said Alaire, turning to the men.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455