"I feel with you an invincible repugnance to throwing open our
hearts to the inspection of the unsympathizing world, at the most
sacred moment of our lives," she said, in stating her preference for
a quiet morning-wedding, a family breakfast, and instant departure
upon their bridal-trip. "If I begin to invite my friends and
neighbors, our cottage--lawn and garden included--would not contain
them, and after all were asked whom I could rememher, as many more
would be mortally offended at being forgotten."
The bridegroom gladly acquiescing, with a compliment to her womanly
delicacy, the ceremony was performed in the presence of the bride's
nearest relatives; an elegant repast was served, at which the
Dorrance plate made an imposing show, and Clara turned her back upon
the scenes and reminiscences of her past life to commence the world
anew.
Yes, she had done very well for herself--how wonderfully well she
knew better than did any one else, and at this date she had fresh
cause for self-gratulation. Through her, Herbert, her favorite
brother, was likely to form an alliance which would be a timely and
substantial stepping-stone to his aggrandizement and wealth. There
were more reasons why she should hold her head higher--why the blood
should clothe her cheek with a richer carmine, and a smile encircle
the mouth, as one swift glance took in the spacious, luxurious room,
thronged with well-dressed aristocrats, her husband the stateliest,
most honored of them all, yet her fond thrall; the splendid apparel
in which his wealth had bedecked her, the queen of the scene--more
reasons, I say, for the ineffable thrill of pleasure that coursed, a
rapid, intoxicating stream, through her veins, than grateful
affection for the author of all these goods. With a Sybarite's dread
of pain and loneliness, she seldom trusted herself to look at the
dark curtain in the background, against which her latter-day glories
shone the more dazzlingly. But to-night she felt safe upon her
throne--sat, the lady of kingdoms, sultana in the realm of her
spouse's heart and in his domain, and could stare full upon the
past--could measure, without shuddering, the height of her actual
and assumed estate above-Mr. Aylett stepped forward in haste and concern at the deadly pallor
that overspread her face--the look of horror, fear, loathing, before
which smile and brightness fled, blasted into wretchedness. The
revellers stopped in their giddy measure at the discordant jangle,
preluding a dead silence.
Mabel, chancing in the evolutions of the set to be nearest the
window, and noting the direction of the fainting woman's eyes, was
quick enough to see a shadow flit across the yellcw square of light
upon the snowy floor of the portico--a man's shape, as it appeared
to her, crouching and slinking out of view into the darkness.