"My love is fair, I could not he'p but choose him
My love is good, I could not bear to lose him.
My love is wise, oh, what could I refuse him?"
"And Love, our light at night and shade at noon,
Lulls us to rest with songs, and turns away
All shafts of shelterless, tumultuous day
Like the moon's growth, his face gleams through his tune,
And as soft waters warble to the moon
Our answering spirits chime one roundelay"
A "blythesome bridal" is a traditional Scotch law, not to be lightly
broken by either rich or poor. Its non-observance usually implied some
sorrowful element, and Mary's national, as well as natural desire, as
therefore toward an elaborate festal ceremony. As soon as this intention
was put into words their very echo seemed to be a prelude to the coming
joy.
The old, still house acquired, no one could very well tell how, an air of
expectation and pleasant hurry. Guest chambers, that had not been used
for many years, were prepared for occupation.
The ceremony was to take place on New Year's Day; so that the lovers were
to date a fresh life from a fresh year--a year in which they had shed no
tears, nor feared, nor been in any strait or disappointment. They would
write upon its first page their marriage joy; and in order to do so would
not need to wipe out one sorrowful memory. In the meantime they dwelt in a
land of delights. Wonderful things happened to Maggie every day. John
Campbell never wearied of sending her presents. "She is my daughter," he
said, "and what for will I not send her the plenishing for her bridal?"
Allan gave her jewels. Mary ransacked her antique "awmries" and
cabinets for the laces of by-gone Campbell beauties; and spent her
sovereigns lavishly on modern fairy-like webs for the wedding garments.
It would have been unlovely and unwomanly in Maggie not to be happy; not
to be a little excited, not perhaps, sometimes, to have been a little
trying. For a great happiness is often depressing to those who have to
witness its exultation, prolonged day after day. Ordinary mortals feel
outside of it, and it strikes them with a vague, but certain, fear. Mary
often said to herself--"I would not be so silly about any one as Maggie is
about Allan. I hope if ever I do fall in love, a measure of common sense
will be granted me."
Still people usually show a singular patience and tolerance with lovers.
The old have "been in Arcadia," and have tender memories of it. The young
have a wistful anticipation, a sympathetic curiosity. At any rate, the
courtship was only to last six weeks, and Mary determined, however
provoking the engaged pair might be, that she would put all down to the
fact that lovers believe themselves to be a sublimated couple, quite out
of the community of ordinary mortals; and being so happy and
self-satisfied with themselves, they could not understand why every one
else was not in the same supreme condition.