Before the marriage service began, a
woman of vulgar appearance and disorderly aspect, accompanied by two
scared children who took no part in the disorder occasioned by their
mother's proceeding, except by their tears and outcries to augment the
disquiet, made her appearance in one of the pews of the church, was noted
there by persons in the vestry, was requested to retire by a beadle, and
was finally induced to quit the sacred precincts of the building by the
very strongest persuasion of a couple of policemen; X and Y laughed at
one another, and nodded their heads knowingly as the poor wretch with her
whimpering boys was led away. They understood very well who the personage
was who had come to disturb the matrimonial ceremony; it did not commence
until Mrs. De Lacy (as this lady chose to be called) had quitted this
temple of Hymen. She slunk through the throng of emblazoned carriages,
and the press of footmen arrayed as splendidly as Solomon in his glory.
John jeered at Thomas, William turned his powdered head, and signalled
Jeames, who answered with a corresponding grin, as the woman with sobs,
and wild imprecations, and frantic appeals, made her way through the
splendid crowd escorted by her aides-de-camp in blue.
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