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"Easy," replied Agnes, "if you are prudent. Hear me patiently,

and I will endeavour to make you comprehend my project. I have

heard it said by persons who knew, and moreover I have seen one

instance of it myself, that a curate's consent is not necessary

to render a marriage ceremony lawful, provided you have his

presence."

"How so?" asked Renzo.

"You shall hear. There must be two witnesses, nimble and cunning.

You go to the curate; the point is to catch him unexpectedly,

that he may have no time to escape. You say, 'Signor Curate, this

is my wife;' Lucy says, 'Signor Curate, this is my husband;' you

must speak so distinctly that the curate and the witnesses hear

you, and the marriage is as inviolable as if the pope himself had

celebrated it. When the words are once uttered, the curate may

fret, and fume, and scold; it will be of no use, you are man and

wife."

"Is it possible?" exclaimed Lucy.