Miss Innes. There was Mr. Carmichael, our grocer, a bold man at a bargain, and yet on his marriage day when he should have been standing by his bride’s side he — where was it they found him hiding, Sarah? (TO HIS WIFE) Was it in the cellar, or beneath the counter?
PAUL. Thank you, Provost; very encouraging.
MEIKLE. Lady Janet Dunwoodie.
(ENTER lady janet.)
MRS TEVIOT. I remember one wedding I was at. The bridegroom was a soldier, but when he should have said ‘I do,’ he burst into tears.
PAUL. Oh, I promise you I shall say it fast enough.
MEIKLE. Lady Fenton, Lady Alice Fenton — Gordon of the Whaups — Mrs. Grieg and the Misses Grieg.
(THEY ENTER; fairbairn GOES OUT.)
ARMITAGE (TO lady janet). I say, Lady Janet, they are trying to frighten my man.
LADY JANET. And he is quite sufficiently frightened as it is. Have you heard, Mrs. Teviot, that he and Margaret are not to remain for the wedding breakfast? They are to run away immediately after the ceremony.
SEVERAL. Oh, shame!
PAUL. Margaret’s wish, I assure you, ladies — not mine.
MRS TEVIOT. And where do you go?
PAUL. Only to the Dower House for the first fortnight.
LADY JANET. Margaret will not even wait to change her dress.
MRS TEVIOT. Oh! But as the Dower House is so near — we can all call on them! (THERE IS SOME LAUGHTER AT THIS.)
MEIKLE (coming into centre of room, impressively). H’sh! The minister!
(The talking suddenly ceases. Enter rev mr gibson, a sweet old gentleman. He is dressed in ordinary outdoor dress of a clergyman.)
MR GIBSON (whispering to MEIKLE). Which is the bridegroom?
MEIKLE. This, sir. (TO PAUL) Mr. Gibson, sir!
MR GIBSON (SHAKING HANDS WITH PAUL). Ah! Mr. Digby, what shall we do without our Margaret?
PAUL. I am thankful to say, Mr. Gibson, that her father has already found a bright side. You are to drop in frequently and play draughts with him.
MR GIBSON (SMILING). The worst of it is, Fairbairn gets so angry when I win — and I usually win!
(Solemn music as of organ begins, BLANCHE runs off. All look expectant, mr gibson and MEIKLE whisper — mr.
gibson points out in dumb show how he wants guests to stand and then reads certificates to himself while MEIKLE puts guests in their places. Margaret’s maid hurries in excitedly, looks about for train and exits despairing. MR.
gibson and MEIKLE stare after her BLANCHE rushes in and looks for train. She whispers to MEIKLE and mr.
GIBSON. The three whisper with their heads close together PAUL joins them — whispering. He signs to armitage who joins them — whispering, armitage nods and complacently produces bundle and gives it to BLANCHE. To his surprise she is in agony. She weeps, then with withering disdain exits with bundle, PAUL, mr gibson, and MEIKLE signify their contempt for armitage — he is crushed, mr gibson paces floor, measuring off the exact distance from bride and bridegroom atwhichheisto stand. Hesigns to MEIKLE MEIKLE then beckons and the servants come in. He places them.
MEIKLE and mr gibson take last look round; they nod to each other, MEIKLE signs to guests that the moment has arrived. Then he goes out. Enter mr fairbairn with MARGARET on his arm, followed by BLANCHE and other bridesmaids (two of them children). They take up position beside PAUL Music ceases MEIKLE brings mrs.
ommaney IN AND SHE STANDS LISTLESSLY BEHIND SERVANTS, NOT LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING ON. ALL LOOK AT Paul AND MARGARET, SMILING AND INTERESTED EXCEPT THE MINISTER IS EXAMINING PAPERS IN HIS HAND.)
MR GIBSON (REFERRING TO PAPER). It is here certified that Paul Digby, bachelor, of the parish of Chelsea, London, and Margaret Fairbairn, of this parish, have been duly proclaimed according to the laws of their respective churches and we are now met together to solemnise the marriage.
(All bow and there is a slight pause to indicate prayer by the minister. At the words ‘Paul Digby,’ MRS. OMMANEY has started and gazes transfixed at PAUL. All others looking at the couple, she is not observed, PAUL and MARGARET are looking down. During the silent prayer, while all the heads are bowed, PAUL looks up and his eyes fall on MRS. OMMANEY. Horror, entreaty and other feelings have been sweeping over her face, but as he sees her and is astounded, relentless purpose is in his eyes. His look begs for mercy but she looks implacable, her meaning being to expose him. As the prayer ends, the line of servants comes nearer, concealing MRS. OMMANEY from PAUL and the guests but not from the audience, who see that she is nearly fainting from excitement.)
MR. GIBSON. Paul Digby and Margaret Fairbairn, it cannot be that you have come here lightly to assume the sacred obligations of husband and wife. Nevertheless I do call upon you even now, if any impediment there be, to speak out and stay my hand.
(Pause in which MRS. OMMANEY’S arms are outstretched as if in appeal to PAUL.)
You will now join hands.
(They do so.)
MR GIBSON. Paul Digby, do you take this woman, Margaret Fairbairn, to be your married wife, and do you promise and covenant before these witnesses to be a loving and faithful husband to her until you shall be separated by death?
PAUL (after a pause in which all eyes turn upon him in surprise). I do.
(MRS. OMMANEY, still hidden by the servants, is trying to speak, but cannot.)
MR GIBSON. Margaret Fairbairn, do you take this man, Paul Digby, to be your married husband, and do you promise and covenant before these witnesses to be a loving and faithful wife to him until you shall be separated by death?
MARGARET (TREMULOUSLY). I do.
(Pause, PAUL seems bewildered.)
ARMITAGE (in whisper). The ring.
(PAUL puts ring on MARGARET’S finger, MRS. OMMANEY faints and is caught by a servant. The slight disturbance turns all eyes in that direction, but as MRS. OMMANEY is behind line of servants it is only seen that someone is being helped out. MR. GIBSON stops and looks round.)
MRS. TEVIOT. One of the servants fainted, I think.
SEVERAL GUESTS. A servant — one of the servants fainted —
A SERVANT.
MR GIBSON. I do now declare you to be husband and wife, and may all blessings fall upon you and may you look for strength to meet sorrow when it comes, as come it must, and may you be long-suffering and forbearing, each one with the shortcomings of the other. And may grace abide with us always.
(There is a pause, then a hubbub of voices as the guests gather round the couple, congratulating, shaking hands, kissing, etc. The stage is full of animation owing to this; PAUL is like one dazed, but controls his agitation, MR.
GIBSON, who has gone to table where there is ink and pen, signs to him to come, PAUL goes and MR. GIBSON puts pen into his hand, PAUL signs like one in a dream — the air is full of congratulations, etc.)
LADY JANET (kissing MARGARET). God bless you, Mrs. Digby.
MR. GIBSON. Not so fast! She is not Mrs. Digby until she has signed this paper. Sign, Margaret Fairbairn.
(MARGARET does so.)
There is no Margaret Fairbairn now!
(More laughing and kissing and handshaking.)
MARGARET (as the butler is passing). Meikle, which of the servants was it that fainted?
MEIKLE. It was that lady, Mrs. Ommaney.
MARGARET. Poor thing. Is she still here?
MEIKLE. No, ma’am, she recovered and went away on foot.
PAUL