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A SHABBY GENTEEL STORY 93
of it ; and, if Brandon likes, why, I will. He's done for if he does,"
muttered Tufthunt, "and I have had my revenge on him, the
bullying supercilious blackleg."
And so on that very day, in Brandon's room, without a licence,
and by that worthy clergyman the Rev. Thomas Tufthunt, with my
Lord Cinqbars for the sole witness, poor Caroline Gann, who knew
no better, who never heard of licences, and did not know what
banns meant, was married in a manner to the person calling himself
George Brandon ; George Brandon not being his real name.
No writings at all were made, and the ceremony merely read
through. Becky, Caroline's sole guardian, when the poor girl kissed
her, and, blushing, showed her gold ring, thought all was in order :
and the happy couple set off for Dover that day, with fifty pounds
which Cinqbars lent the bridegroom.
Becky received a little letter from Caroline, which she promised
to carry to her mamma at Swigby's: and it was agreed that she was
to give warning, and come and live with her young lady. Next
morning Lord Cinqbars and Tufthunt took the boat for London ;
the latter uneasy in mind, the former vowing that " he'd never spent
such an exciting day in his life, and loved an intrigue of all things."
Next morning, too, the great travelling chariot of Mrs. Carrickfergus
rolled away with a bearded gentleman inside. Poor Fitch
had been back to his lodgings to try one more chance with Caroline,
and he arrived in time—to see her get into a post-chaise alone
with Brandon.
Six weeks afterwards Galignani's Messenger contained the
following announcement :—
"Married, at the British Embassy, by Bishop Luscombe,
Andrew Fitch, Esq., to Marianne Caroline Matilda, widow of the
late Antony Carrickfergus, of Lombard Street and Gloucester Place,
Esquire. The happy pair, after a magnificent dejeuné, set off for
the south in their splendid carriage-and-four. Miss Runt officiated
as bridesmaid; and we remarked among the company Earl and
Countess Crabs, General Sir Rice Curry, K.C.B., Colonel Wapshot,
Sir Charles Swang, the Hon. Algernon Percy Deuceace and his
lady, Count Punter, and others of the elite of the fashionables now
in Paris. The bridegroom was attended by his friend Michael
Angelo Titmarsh, Esquire; and the Lady was given away by the
Right Hon. the Earl of Crabs. On the departure of the bride and
bridegroom the festivities were resumed, and many a sparkling
bumper of Meurice's champagne was quaffed to the health of the
hospitable and interesting couple."