"As _bonâ fide_," said Mr. Fanning, with a profound sigh, "as there is a sky in the heavens. As _bonâ fide_ as there is a day and a night; as _bonâ fide_ as that I am in existence; but the marriage is not to be consummated until the 1st of June of next year. That is in the bond, and we have nothing to complain of if--if Westenra"--here his voice dropped to a sound of absolute tenderness--"if Westenra would rather not come with us now."