And Mary Campbell was right; for if love is to have anything like the
place in real life, that it has in poetry--if we have any faith in that
mighty ruler of hearts and lives, a genuine love affair, we ought not to
dim the glory of marriage by denying it this sojourn in a veritable land
of enchantment; for in its atmosphere many fine feelings blossom, that
never would have birth at all, if the niceties and delicacies of courtship
were superseded by the levelling rapidity of marriage. There is time for
writing and reading love letters, and both tongue and pen get familiar
with affectionate and noble sentiments. We may admit that love-making is
an unreasonable and impracticable piece of business; but in this very
circumstance all its charm lies. Love delights in asserting the
incredible, and in believing the impossible. But it is precisely in the
depths of this delicious foolishness that the heart attains its noblest
growth.
There may be many grander hopes, many calmer and more reasonable
joys in store for us, but, "There's nothing half so sweet in life
As Love's young dream."
At length the wonderful day arrived. It had been well prepared for, and
all was in readiness. There was no hurry, no fret, no uncertainty. Early
in the morning men began to hang the old battle flags and armor of the
Campbells of Drumloch and to adorn the rooms with myrtle and fresh
flowers. It was not the fashion then to turn the house into a
conservatory, but the effect of the scattered groups of flowers, and
bridal wreaths, was far more festal in character.
At four o'clock the party were all assembled, and in response to some
understood signal, the clergy grouped themselves at one end of the large
parlors. Then Allan entered at the other. With him was a minister in silk
cassock and white lawn bands. It was Dr. Balmuto. Maggie followed, leaning
upon John Campbell's arm. An involuntary stir, a murmur of admiration,
greeted her. She was dressed in a robe of ivory-tinted silk, interwoven
with threads of pure silver. Exquisite lace veiled her throat and arms;
opals and diamonds glowed and glinted among it. Her fine hair was
beautifully arranged, and in her hand she carried the small Testament upon
which she would seal her vows.
Even David Promoter responded in some measure to the influence of the
hour. Not often did he permit himself to lose sight of the great object of
his existence; but this was an "occasion," when he felt that he might
lawfully put his sister, and his natural interest in her, before other
hopes and aims. And this day, he was really proud of Maggie. She had done
well unto herself; she had justified all his own intentions toward her;
she had allied him with one of the best families in the west of Scotland.
He kissed her with a tender approval, and reminded her, as it was indeed
his duty, how good God had been to her, and how, He had brought her also,
unto her "desired haven."