Madame Jacobus was the first to interrupt these pretty reminiscences. "All this is very fine," she said, "but the most of it is no good for us. The satin and the lace and even the gems, we can have; the music can be somehow managed, and we shall not make a bad show as to love and beauty. But castles and lords and military pomp, and old cathedrals hung with battle flags-- Such things are not to be had here, and, in plain truth, they are not necessary for the wedding of a simple maid like our Arenta."
"You forget, then, that my Athanase is of almost royal descent," said Arenta. "A very old family are the Tounnerres--older, indeed, than the royal Capets."
"No one is to-day so poor as to envy the royal Capets; and as for an ancient family, Captain Jacobus used to speak of his forefathers as 'the old fellows whom the flood could not wash away.' Jacobus always put his ideas in such clear, forcible words. What I want to know is this--where is the ceremony to be performed?"
"The civil ceremony is to be at the French Embassy," answered Arenta with some pride.
"Is that all there is to it?"
"Aunt! How could you imagine that I should be satisfied with a civil ceremony? My father also insists upon a religious ceremony; and my Athanase told him he was willing to marry me in every church in America. I am not Gertrude Kippon! No, indeed! I insist on everything being done in a moral and respectable manner. My father spoke of Doctor Kunz for the religious part."
"I like not Doctor Kunz," answered madame. "Bishop Provoost and the Episcopal service is the proper thing. Doctor Kunz will be sure to say some sharp words--his tongue is full of them--he stands too stiff--he does not use his hands gracefully--his walk and carriage is not dignified--and he looks at you through spectacles--and I, for one, do not like to be looked at through spectacles. We must decide for the Episcopal church."
"And the little trip after it," continued Arenta. "Lieutenant Hyde says that, in England, it is now the proper thing."
"But in America it is not the proper thing. It is a rude unmannerly way to run off with a bride. We are not red Indians, nor is the Marquis carrying you by force from some hostile tribe. The nuptial trip is a barbarism. I am now weary. Lieutenant, take Miss Moran and show her my garden. I tell you, it is worth walking through; and when you have seen the flowers, Arenta and I will give you a cup of tea."