The clergyman commenced the service according to the form of the
Established Church, and concluded the opening address without any
interruption. He then proceeded to the solemn and beautiful appeal made
as to the liberty of those who present themselves at the altar.
"I require and charge you both, (as ye will answer at the
dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be
disclosed,) that if either of you know any impediment why ye may
not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess
it?"
At this point Sir Robert Cecil, his enfeebled mind still more relaxed
after the strong effort made at self-possession, and weakened and heated
by the wine he had taken, exclaimed,-"Those two joined together in matrimony! It is impossible--she has not
on a wedding-garment! What does she here?" Then looking round, he left
his daughter's side, and seizing Barbara's hand, dragged her to the
altar, saying, "This must be our bride--our lady bride--no one would wed
in sables."
It is impossible to describe the consternation which this circumstance
occasioned; but the baronet had hardly uttered the words, when the
window that Barbara had taken so much pains in adorning, was darkened by
a figure springing into and standing on the open casement, and the
shrill voice of the Jewess Zillah shouted, in a tone that was heard most
audibly over the murmurs of the little crowd, and echoed fearfully along
the chancel, "Justice--vengeance!" and, suiting the action to her words,
she discharged a pistol with but too steady an aim at the innocent
Barbara, whom on this occasion, as before, she had mistaken for her
rival, Constantia Cecil.