The arbiter was determined that the reign should end in a blaze of glory.
As for Grace and Hugh, they were to be married.

That had been decided upon by destiny years and years ago and ratified after Hugh had reached an age of discretion.

He said that twenty-five was the year of discretion, if not of reason.
After the first transports, each began to consider the importance of the union, not only to themselves, but to the world at large.

In their reflective moments they realized that the marriage would be the most wonderful event in the whole history of the homes of Vernon and Ridgeway.

Never before had a Vernon married a Ridgeway, and--vice versa.
Therefore, the whole world would visit upon such a union its undivided attention.